Microsoft Certification?

[imported_browsing]

I've recently graduated college (business major) and I think that I need something to add a little uniqueness to my resume. I'm a pretty quick study when it comes to software, and I've been a user of Microsoft Office for almost a decade, so I figured that it might be good to get Microsoft certified. I'm just really, really confused. I don't know what the best testing plan or path is, or where I should go to get study aids.

Could someone explain the most relevant Microsoft certifications for general business individuals to me? I'd hate to take a test and find out it either expires or isn't worth anything anymore. Is anyone Microsoft certified? What did you use? Has it helped your career?

Anything would be of great help and the sooner the better! Thanks in advance!

 

[KB]

I wouldn't say certs make you unique, because so many people have them. I got a cert just to fit in.

MS Certs do not expire, they are just linked with the product in which you get them on. So for example I am an MSCE on Windows 2000, not NT 3.1, not 2003, just 2000. I think most employers know the skills gained during the certification process are kept up and transfer through the new releases.

You can get a Microsoft Office Specialist Certification if you want to focus on office, but for the most part the MCSE is the most desired even for Business management.
Learn about the classes needed here: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcse/default.mspx

To pass the tests you can take bootcamp classes advertised on radio and online. I did it cheaper by purchasing and borrowing the MSCE study books, and installed the eval server CDs.

 

[imported_browsing]

Thanks for the advice, are there any specific study aids that are better than others?

 

[ric1287]

bump, i'd like to know what books are the best too.

 

[KB]

These are what I used for my windows 2000 MCSE and I thought they were concise and relevant to the test: http://www.microsoft.com/mspress/books/6119.aspx

you would want to find the 2003/2008 versions.

 

[bschoolm]

If you are not fixing PCs for a living then I think the best certification for you would be the Microsoft Office Specialist Cert.

http://www.microsoft.com/learn...pecialist/default.mspx

The Microsoft Desktop Cert seems like an A+ Cert but strictly for Windows.
http://www.microsoft.com/learn...mcp/mcdst/default.mspx

Don't know anyone that has this.

But those certs could be VAS that potential employers would be interested in.

 

[NGC_604]

..

 

[Reliant]

I have a handful of MCTS and my MCTIP and I think they're valuable for people dealing with specific fields, IE Server 2008, Exchange 2007, etc. If you're just looking for general Office certification I don't think it would hurt you, but I'm not sure how useful that would be in the end. As for study material, I've always taken a course leading up to the test to prepare me so I had the official Microsoft books with lectures/labs in them, and I also used Transcender to help me prepare.