OMG Braindumpers are getting our IT jobs!

There has been talk of braindumpers getting IT jobs they don't deserve. But not only talk - flame wars have started in certification forums because of this feeling of 'lose' or, the supposed feeling anyway.

Those that get certified the proper way feel threatened by others that just memorize the questions and go sit for the exam. And then they go after them. Boy do they go after them.

They not only feel that braindumpers are taking their jobs, they are also passionate about how these bad braindumpers are devaluating certifications as well.

Do you think the same way?

Stop. Think. What are you doing?

First, how can you believe a braindumper can actually take your job?

If you were an employer and two people rocked up in your office, a dude that knew his stuff and a n00b that braindumped his way to certification and asked them technical questions, pretty soon you would figure out that the n00b knew nothing so you wouldn’t hire him.

Unless the employer was a total n00b himself and hired the other n00b because he felt familiarity (you know what they say about mirroring the interviewer in the interview). So your job isn't threatened by a braindumper unless the employer is a total moron. And who wants to work for a moron anyway?

So what are you actually losing? And why are you feeling threatened?

Second, the belief that certifications are being devaluated by braindumpers

This belief is just as illogical as the first. True certifications have lost some of their luster but that has only happened because the industry has grown (and growth is a great thing). In the 90's, getting certified pretty much guaranteed you a good job. As the industry has grown and has become more competitive with more people entering IT, it just means that you have to work harder. That's all. The cream will always rise to the top.

Years ago having an CCNA (even without experience) meant that a company would let you loose on their network. Pretty dumb if you ask me. We go forward when intelligent people are at the driver's seat, not people that don't know what they are doing. Everyone has to grow to reach high. There are no shortcuts.

But employers don't value certifications any more... or do they?

There has been talk that employers don't value certifications anymore. That if you have an MCSE and you rock up for the interview, the employer is going to say, "Hah! another one with an MCSE". Bullshit. If the employer is an idiot and can't see the value of busting your ass getting the MCSE then this way of thinking reflects his whole life, even how he manages his company.

If the employer doesn't have the mentality of a leader then he will eventually drive his business to the ground. And believe me, you don't want to work for a company that will become bankrupt.

Understand that there are leaders and there are morons that think they lead. Not all employers are smart. Work with smart people.

But you may ask, then why do vendors go after braindumpers? Isn't it because they want to protect their certifications?

Well, of course they do. Think what happens to a forum if there are no moderators. Vendors do the same thing. If they did nothing their certifications would mean squat. But this has nothing to do with you. They have to protect their certifications, because they have to protect their name. If they did nothing, their certifications would get devaluated - and you would go straight to another vendor to certify - and they know it.

If you want to succeed at a massive scale, don't sweat the petty stuff

If to succeed is a must for you - spend your time investing in your own personal excellence. People that are climbing the IT success ladder keep on climbing. They don't stop, start climbing back down to pick fights with those people that braindump. Who cares about them? Keep on climbing.