Microsoft Training Course. - It's very easy to choose the wrong one!
MCP, MCDST, MOS
Choosing the right Microsoft training course is not easy with all the variety and hype surrounding these qualifications. Microsoft certification is changing. Junior desktop support qualifications such as the MCP, MCDST and MOUS appear to be staying the same although they have recently announced new certifications for developers which you can read about here.
At this time there are is no mention of replacing the network and system administration certification line for support roles so the MCP, MCDST and MOS certifications still stand for entry level computer jobs.
The new changes do not impact the MCSA and MCSE qualifications which are intended to reflect several years of experience and deep knowledge of high level network administration.
I discuss the reasons why taking intensive short term cramming courses to get MCSE certified with no experience is such a bad idea in my article on misconceptions of computer certification which if you haven’t read please do before going any further.
Microsoft as you probably know is the industry leader for business software by quite some margin. There is a huge demand for knowledgeable Windows administrators that any job search will show.
The key to being a good Windows administrator is knowing your stuff. That may sound obvious but you’d be surprised how many certified people out there don’t know their stuff.
I’ve met MCSEs who can’t answer the most basic questions about Windows networking even though they have a 3rd line qualification. They know how to answer exam questions but have no idea of what actually goes on.
Similarly I know incredibly talented Windows administrators with no certifications who will never be short of highly paid work.
I know I keep repeating it but certification without experience is pretty worthless, which is why the best way to utilize Microsoft certification is to do the exams most relevant to your perspective job
If you are shooting for your first helpdesk job the most relevant knowledge for you to do that job will be hardware, client operating systems, basic networking, printer troubleshooting and office applications. Training companies are actively encouraging newcomers to take the wrong Microsoft training course with promises of high paid jobs at the end of them.
For entry level jobs the best suited Microsoft certifications you should be looking at are:
MCP in a client Operating System.
MCDST
MOS
Microsoft Training Course - MCP -Microsoft Certified Professional (in a client operating system)
Sorry for repeating the client OS thing, the reason for that is because people tend to start their road to MCSA/E with a server OS exam first. Whilst this is an OK Microsoft training course for an experienced administrator, it’s a waste of time (and money) for a first jobber looking for an entry level role.
In my experience of MS certification the server OS exams are actually easier than the client OS exams - another reason people like to get them out of the way first.
Get the client exam first
A single OS exam will grant MCP certification which is good to have when looking for an entry level position- even better if you also have an entry level hardware and/or networking certification from CompTIA.
At the time of writing this article the most popular Windows client operating systems in use are Windows XP and Windows 2000 Professional. I am currently studying toward renewing my MCP and aiming to take the Windows XP exam quite soon. Follow my progress in my MCSE blog if you like.
The material for client OS exams is extensive and covers many advanced topics such as local security, automated installation, the boot process and more. Getting an MCP in a client OS will stand you in very good stead for troubleshooting OS problems.
You can find more details on the XP MCP exam on Microsoft’s website here.
Microsoft Training Course - MCDST- Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician
Not too dissimilar to the MCP in a client OS, the MCDST goes further and covers operating system and office application support.
This is the certification employers should be demanding for entry level support roles.
Consisting of 2 exams, one covering predominantly the OS and the other desktop applications this is the perfect certification for a Windows desktop support role.
The vast majority of offices use the Microsoft Office suite of applications and a large chunk of helpdesk calls are related to these applications. Particularly Microsoft Outlook.
In depth knowledge of how to install, configure and troubleshoot MS Office will be considerably more useful at entry level than getting a full MCSE.
If I was an employer looking to hire junior/entry level support staff I would be searching on this certification as well as A+ and N+, although I’d be screening candidates on practical ability as well.
You can find more details on the XP MCDST exam on Microsoft’s website here.
Microsoft Training Course - MOS - Microsoft Office Specialist
This suite of certifications goes deeper into the Office package than the MCDST. This is a good Microsoft training course for anyone wanting to become a software trainer.
Each individual exam concentrates on one Office application such as Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access and Microsoft Project.
The difference with the MOS certification is that it is geared more toward being a super power user of the applications, knowing them inside out and backwards and then some.
In my experience of supporting these applications users expect support staff to be experts in how to use them as well as how to install and troubleshoot them.
There are some incredibly advanced features of Office that go way beyond things like Excel cell formulas. Outlook custom forms and Word macros are examples that utilize Visual Basic programming.
More and more 3rd party applications are integrating MS Office interoperability.
Such a depth of knowledge in these applications is probably beyond the scope of many entry level computer jobs, similarly to advanced MCSE modules- these ones however will be more useful than 3rd line server knowledge.
The MOS certification consists of 4 exams, 3 core and 1 elective, there are also expert exams to even further your expertise of these hugely popular applications.
For further information on the MOS certification visit Microsoft’s website here
Microsoft Training Course - Conclusion
As this site is created for first jobbers looking to get a foothold in the IT industry I won’t detail any of the more advanced certifications as the ones explained above are the most relevant to entry level positions.
The MCP, MCDST and MOS combined with the hardware and networking CompTIA certifications should give you more than enough to become a very capable desktop support technician.
Those certifications combined are equivalent to more than an MCSE’s worth of studying and far more relevant. The knowledge gained from all of them will put you in an enviable position.
For entry level work the right Microsoft training course will put you at a distinct advantage. The wrong Microsoft training course however will cost you lots of money and not do you any favours at all.
At this time there are is no mention of replacing the network and system administration certification line for support roles so the MCP, MCDST and MOS certifications still stand for entry level computer jobs.
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