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Microsoft Certification

NylonathetepNylonathetep Registered User regular
in Help / Advice Forum
Hello people of the internet.

I'm looking for ways to strengthen my Resume so I can do better on my job search.

The field I'm looking to get into requires some knowledge of Microsoft Access. Since my current Job doesn't require me to use MS Access I'm looking to get myself certified with this exam:

https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-ca/exam-77-424.aspx


Anyone undertake anything similar to these Microsoft Certification exams? How difficult are they and what kind of (possibly free) resources can I get to prepare myself for these exams?

Also for those are you in HR, will any of these Microsoft Certification help when it comes to choosing your candidate?





Thanks for all the help in advance.

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    CambiataCambiata Commander Shepard The likes of which even GAWD has never seenRegistered User regular
    These are great questions to which I too would be interested in an answer, especially the HR one.

    "If you divide the whole world into just enemies and friends, you'll end up destroying everything" --Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind
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    CiriraCirira IowaRegistered User regular
    I took the 2007 and 2010 version of the Microsoft exams for an old job. I'm certified in Excel, Outlook, Word, and Powerpoint as a result. I used this http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft®-Office-Specialist-Study-Guide/dp/0735649715/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1440946347&sr=8-11&keywords=Microsoft+Office+Specialist for the 2007 test and the 2010 test I took blind after having migrated from 2007 to 2010.

    Unfortunately Access is the one product I'm not certified on because I didn't find any good resources for it and it didn't seem as needed for my job at the time (mostly used SQL and Oracle databases so no MS Access stuff). The book does have tutorials on Access (and it appears the author has a 2013 version) so it may be a useful resource for you.

    The Exam tests covered the practical applications of the products and did not cover anything I would consider advanced. The worst thing I had to do was remembering formulas for Excel since the test had all of the help functionality in office turned off.

    I can't speak to the HR portion of the question, but I include my certs on my resume myself and don't seem to have issues with getting my foot in the door at least.

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    3lwap03lwap0 Registered User regular
    First, any certification helps you.

    I'm not in HR, but after 11 certifications (7 of which are MSFT), I've done my fair bit of HR interactions. Long story short, the certifications get you past HR, usually into the interview, where you will really be tested on your knowledge - and that's where some can struggle. Having no practical experience, but book knowledge certification know-how, can often be detrimental. They person interviewing needs to know you're a steady hand at the helm, ya know?

    That being said, I've never regretted a cert. They've only helped my career, and would encourage you do it! Good luck!

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    DarkewolfeDarkewolfe Registered User regular
    In my job, certs are the paperwork you need to back you up, but it's generally where you've worked and what you've done that we're actually looking at on your resume. Someone without experience and a ton of certs just had too much time on their hands.

    What is this I don't even.
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    NylonathetepNylonathetep Registered User regular
    Thanks for all your help and comments so far.

    I think I'm going to buy a used reference book off from Amazon and take it from there.

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