Can the CompTIA A+ Certification Help You Find Jobs?

Can the CompTIA A+ Certification Help You Find Jobs?

The answer is almost certainly!

CompTIA A+ is the industry standard for launching IT careers. Why? Because it’s performance-based, trusted by employers, regularly re-invented by IT experts, and offers a complete skills development solution. There are several reasons why IT certifications help you get ahead in your career, and the CompTIA A+ certification is the first major cert you’ll want to earn.

Getting your CompTIA A+ certification will enable you to meet the growing need for IT professionals and ensure you get a competitive salary and great job security. Let us be your guide to how and why earning the CompTIA A+ Certification is a great career move for anyone in IT.

What Jobs Can I Get With a CompTIA A+ Certification?

The A+ certification can help you get a job as a:

• Service Desk Analyst

• Field Service Tech

• Help Desk Tech

• IT Support Specialist

Employers look for candidates with their A+ certification because it helps them know they’re making a great hiring decision. Being able to pass the exam verifies that you have the skills the recruiter is looking for. Ninty-six percent of HR managers use IT certifications as screening or hiring criteria during recruitment.

What Makes the A+ Certification so Valuable?

The CompTIA A+ is a vendor-neutral certification, meaning it covers technologies that apply to many diverse tech ecosystems. It is the preferred qualifying credential for technical support and IT operational roles. Earning an A+ cert demonstrates comprehension of hardware, software, operating systems, system troubleshooting, technology repair, networking, mobility, security, and operational procedures.

Here are the top reasons the A+ Certification helps you get a job:

• Directive 8140/8570: The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) recognizes CompTIA A+ certification for information assurance technicians under DoD Directive 8140/8570. That means you’ll be qualified for certain jobs with the government and government contractors.

• Mapped to NICE: CompTIA A+ maps to the Customer Service and Technical Support specialty area of the framework developed as part of the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE).

• Highly In Demand: CompTIA A+ ranked 7th in U.S. job listings showing the certification is required or recommended for potential candidates. (Source: CompTIA IT Employment Snapshot, Q4 2017)

If you want to learn more about this certification, download CompTIA’s A+ Certification Guide.

What Does the A+ Certification Cover?

This in-depth certification covers the IT industry’s fundamentals: security, infrastructure, hardware, networking, operations, operating systems, software, and troubleshooting. Here are some of the key skills you’ll learn: SECURITY

Tech support teams face a growing challenge to accurately triage a flood of security issues.

• Physical and logical security

• Social engineering

• Malware detection and removal

• Device hardening

• Biometric authentication

• Privacy concerns, including GDPR and handling PII

• Security Objectives

Summarize the importance of physical security measures.

• Compare and contrast wireless security protocols and authentication methods.

• Given a scenario, detect, remove, and prevent malware using appropriate tools and methods.

• Given a scenario, implement security best practices to secure a workstation.

INFRASTRUCTURE & HARDWARE

Connectivity is the lifeblood of productivity. Troubleshooting device connectivity issues are table stakes for IT support professionals.

• Cloud and virtualization

• IoT devices and protocols

• Internet appliances, including endpoint management

• Different network types, including wireless mesh networks

Mobile Devices Objectives

• Given a scenario, install and configure laptop hardware and components.

• Given a scenario, install components within the display of a laptop.

• Given a scenario, connect and configure accessories and ports of other mobile devices.

• Given a scenario, configure basic mobile device network connectivity and application support.

Networking Objectives

• Compare and contrast TCP and UDP ports, protocols, and their purposes.

• Compare and contrast common networking hardware devices, including routers, switches, access points, firewalls, bubs, and repeaters.

• Given a scenario, install and configure a basic wired/wireless SOHO network.

• Compare and contrast wireless networking protocols.

Hardware Objectives

• Explain basic cable types, features, and their purposes.

• Given a scenario, select and configure appropriate components for a custom PC configuration to meet customer specifications or needs.

• Given a scenario, install and configure motherboards, CPUs, and add-on cards.

• Given a scenario, select, install and configure storage devices.

Troubleshooting Objectives

• Given a scenario, use the best practice methodology to resolve problems.

• Given a scenario, troubleshoot problems related to motherboards, RAM, CPUs, and power.

• Given a scenario, troubleshoot common wired-and-wireless network problems.

• Given a scenario, troubleshoot hard drives and RAID arrays.

OPERATIONS

As users’ systems increase in complexity, the definition of competency for entry-level IT support pros has expanded.

• Scripting, Python, Bash, Javascript

• Working with log files

• Knowledgebase best practices

• Change management

• Basic disaster prevention and recovery

• Using remote access

Operational Procedures Objectives

• Compare and contrast best practices associated with types of documentation.

• Given a scenario, implement basic change management best practices.

• Given a scenario, implement basic disaster prevention and recovery methods.

• Explain the processes for addressing prohibited content/activity and privacy, licensing, and policy concepts.

SOFTWARE

Hardware knowledge underpins tech support competency, but the day-to-day requires software expertise.

• Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome OS, Mac OS

• Software as a Service (SaaS)

• Hypervisors

• iCloud, Exchange, Google Inbox

• Active Directory

Operating Systems Objectives

• Compare and contrast common operating system types and their purposes.

• Summarize general OS installation considerations and upgrade methods.

• Given a scenario, use appropriate Microsoft command-line tools.

• Given a scenario, configure Microsoft Windows networking on client/desktop.

Software Troubleshooting Objectives

• Given a scenario, troubleshoot Microsoft Windows OS problems.

• Given a scenario, troubleshoot and resolve PC security issues.

• Given a scenario, use best practice procedures for malware removal.

• Given a scenario, troubleshoot mobile OS and application issues.

Are you interested in IT training?

Does the idea of installing and configuring motherboards make you grin? Do you want to learn the ins and outs of running virtual machines? A career in IT could be the perfect choice for you. If you enjoy working with your hands, fixing broken things, and understanding the latest technology, consider giving IT a chance.

ACI Learning can help you get the training you need to get hired in IT. The Computer User Support Specialist program, our flagship program for entry-level IT, is taught by instructors with years of industry experience. We include hands-on labs in every course so that you’ll have the skills you need to excel. Finally, we offer one-on-one career services to help you with your resume, LinkedIn profile, cover letter, interview skills, and more. We’ll even connect you with local IT employers that are looking to hire.

What are you waiting for? Your IT career is waiting for you!