Sign in
Microsoft.com
 
Microsoft
 
 
 

locked
Advice on MCSDT RRS feed

 > 

  • Question

  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    Hi there

    I have 10 years IT experience, mostly in Web development, but I am now looking to go back to a Desktop Support role after 8 years away.

    I was recommended in taking a Certificate in Microsoft Desktop Support (MCDST).

    How benefical would a ceritificate like that would be to help me get work again in a Desktop Support role paying £28k ($56,000) +?

    Regards
    Friendly Lee
    • Edited by friendlylee Monday, June 30, 2008 1:11 PM new writing
    Monday, June 30, 2008 1:09 PM

Answers

  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    I doubt the certification alone will get you a job in that range.  What I think it would more likely do is get you passed the HR screen to the hiring IT manager, which as long as you have some prior experience you would be able to land the job.  Sometimes without the cert you wont get that far, depending on how competitive your area is.

    Having been in both desktop roles and web development I am curious why you want to make the switch if you don't mind answering?

    Best of luck to you.
    • Proposed as answer by friendlylee Monday, June 30, 2008 3:28 PM
    • Marked as answer by Ken Rosen_MS Monday, June 30, 2008 9:32 PM
    Monday, June 30, 2008 2:29 PM
    Answerer
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    friendlylee said:

    Hi there

    I have 10 years IT experience, mostly in Web development, but I am now looking to go back to a Desktop Support role after 8 years away.

    I was recommended in taking a Certificate in Microsoft Desktop Support (MCDST).

    How benefical would a ceritificate like that would be to help me get work again in a Desktop Support role paying £28k ($56,000) +?

    Regards
    Friendly Lee



    Quite honestly, that long away from the industry is really going to hurt you in trying to go back to an IT support role.  It is difficult for me to be able to comment specifically on the UK, but I can tell you that here in the United States, that role does not usually pay $56,000 USD.  Even a certification like the MCDST or the MCITP:Enterprise Support Technician is not likely to provide the boost that would put you in that salary range.

    Looking around on Monster at some of the job postings, it looks like to get into that salary range, you will need to be in a hybrid support position at the 2nd or 3rd tier.  A quick search around right now shows that most of the desktop support is going to be around 17k-22k which leaves you well short of what you are looking for.

    If you really want to make the transition back into desktop support, you need to make sure you are up to date on your experience with both XP, and more importantly now, Vista.  Obtaining BOTH the MCDST and the MCITP:Enterprise Support Technician will provide a more comprehensive credential set than the MCDST alone.  Realize that in any case, ANY hiring manager is going to question why you are getting back into helpdesk when you had something that is considered a more advanced job.  You need to think about these answers beforehand and make sure you have good ones.

    The cert is just going to likely get you a second look but you need to make sure you have the experience and the recent exposure to be able to do the job.

    - Wayne S. Anderson MCITP, MCSE, MCT http://blog.avanadeadvisor.com/blogs/waynea
    Monday, June 30, 2008 3:51 PM

All replies

  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    I doubt the certification alone will get you a job in that range.  What I think it would more likely do is get you passed the HR screen to the hiring IT manager, which as long as you have some prior experience you would be able to land the job.  Sometimes without the cert you wont get that far, depending on how competitive your area is.

    Having been in both desktop roles and web development I am curious why you want to make the switch if you don't mind answering?

    Best of luck to you.
    • Proposed as answer by friendlylee Monday, June 30, 2008 3:28 PM
    • Marked as answer by Ken Rosen_MS Monday, June 30, 2008 9:32 PM
    Monday, June 30, 2008 2:29 PM
    Answerer
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    I have to agree with Dave. Certifications cannot (and should never been allowed to) stand on their own. Reverse the situation: You are a hiring manager and are interviewing for a Desktop Support position. Your candidate has been absent from the field for 8 years but holds a MCDST. Doesn't look all that favorable.

    Besides, I didn't know the MCDST could draw $56K U.S. !! I'm moving to the U.K.
    Michael D. Alligood www.theitclassroom.com
    Monday, June 30, 2008 2:38 PM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    I've gotten 'tired' of development, support is an area I enjoyed before, thus the return.

    Thanks for the advice.  I'll go for the cert, and just apply for roles.

    Regards
    Lee
    • Edited by friendlylee Monday, June 30, 2008 3:34 PM new text
    Monday, June 30, 2008 3:30 PM
  • Question
    Sign in to vote
    0
    Sign in to vote
    friendlylee said:

    Hi there

    I have 10 years IT experience, mostly in Web development, but I am now looking to go back to a Desktop Support role after 8 years away.

    I was recommended in taking a Certificate in Microsoft Desktop Support (MCDST).

    How benefical would a ceritificate like that would be to help me get work again in a Desktop Support role paying £28k ($56,000) +?

    Regards
    Friendly Lee



    Quite honestly, that long away from the industry is really going to hurt you in trying to go back to an IT support role.  It is difficult for me to be able to comment specifically on the UK, but I can tell you that here in the United States, that role does not usually pay $56,000 USD.  Even a certification like the MCDST or the MCITP:Enterprise Support Technician is not likely to provide the boost that would put you in that salary range.

    Looking around on Monster at some of the job postings, it looks like to get into that salary range, you will need to be in a hybrid support position at the 2nd or 3rd tier.  A quick search around right now shows that most of the desktop support is going to be around 17k-22k which leaves you well short of what you are looking for.

    If you really want to make the transition back into desktop support, you need to make sure you are up to date on your experience with both XP, and more importantly now, Vista.  Obtaining BOTH the MCDST and the MCITP:Enterprise Support Technician will provide a more comprehensive credential set than the MCDST alone.  Realize that in any case, ANY hiring manager is going to question why you are getting back into helpdesk when you had something that is considered a more advanced job.  You need to think about these answers beforehand and make sure you have good ones.

    The cert is just going to likely get you a second look but you need to make sure you have the experience and the recent exposure to be able to do the job.

    - Wayne S. Anderson MCITP, MCSE, MCT http://blog.avanadeadvisor.com/blogs/waynea
    Monday, June 30, 2008 3:51 PM