VCAP5-DCA worth it / in demand?

[Skylake1150]

I got my VCP on August 24th, and then I got laid off on August 30th because of budget cuts (the story of my life) from my dream job after being there for only six months. I’ve been looking for a new job; but sadly there isn’t much out there. I don’t want to just sit around and do nothing. I want to advance my career.

So I am debating about going for the VCAP5-DCA certification. The problem is I don’t know if I should do it now or later. I only have six months of doing basic and I do mean basic real world VMware experience. I don’t want to fall into the trap of getting the certification to get the experience, a trap I’ve fallen into many, many times before.

Now if I was working for a company that wanted me to get it, with the end result getting a promotion/raise.  Then I would be more open to getting the VCAP5-DCA,

I know the VCAP5-DCA is different because it’s a hands on exam. Sadly, the VCAP5-DCA isn’t all that well known in the job world compared to VCP. I looked on indeed and there’s only about 10 jobs in the entire nation that specifically list the VCAP5-DCA (two listed the VCAP5-DCA, two listed the VCAP4-DCA, and six listed the VCAP-DCA).

So I am a little unsure about getting a certification that so few people have heard of and the fact that I have so little hands on real world VMware experience.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[aravinds3107]

There are many people with VCAP certification so getting a VCAP certified will add value to your profile. But for the VCAP-DCA exam you need lots of experience on hands on the product and spend lot of time in the lab practicing as its a lab based exam.

I would suggest you can prepare for the exam as you look for a new job as this will also help you in the interview as well.

There are good study resource available online which will help to prepare below one has a list of good resources

VCAP5-DCA & DCD | TheSaffaGeek

[Skylake1150]

Thanks aravinds3107!

I just wish that the VCAP5-DCA was more well known given how hard it is. 

[edutz1014]

Not sure where you are located, but from my experience the VCP is a very respected cert. I have an MCSE and a VCP. The VCP is way more valuable than my MCSE. Have you looked at LinkedIn? Recruiters love to use this site to find talent.

Ed

[Skylake1150]

I am in the USA.  I already have my VCP, it's the VCAP5-DCA that I am a little confused on.  I just don't know if I should start studying for it given the fact that I have so little real world VMware experience.  Plus, according to indeed there's only 10 jobs in the entire nation that specifically list the VCAP5-DCA.  What's the point of getting a certification that no one (or virtual no one) has ever heard of before? Now if the company you work for wants you to get it so that you can get a promotion or raise then that's a little different.

[JoshuaAndrewsVM]

It may not show up as a job requirement, but it can certainly help differentiate you from other applicants and in my experience will bounce you to the top of their list.

It's a guarantee you can actually do the work and not just guess accurately.

[Skylake1150]

I am NOT trying to be sarcastic; I am just puzzled as to how the VCAP5-DCA will differentiate me from other applicants when so few people have heard of it.

[JoshuaAndrewsVM · Accepted solution]

HR/recruiters haven't heard of it but the IT department usually has.  You'll need to explain to HR what it is and get them to wonder why none of the other candidates have it - but it does work.

[Skylake1150]

Thanks!  I'll get the VCAP5-DCA, however I think I'll wait until I get some more real world experience.  Even though it's a hands on exam, I don't want get any certification without having real world experience to back it up.

[firestartah]

the thing is the big companies that most often than not don't post job adverts online due to them having internal recruitment teams and IT companies who are in the know all look for people with the advanced exams and having the VCAP exams are always beneficial. Also specialist recruitment companies who know what advanced certs for each product are will be looking for people with the VCAP certifications.

think of it in the way of the right people and companies know what the VCAP is and surely those are the kinds of companies you want to work for one day?

Just my two cents worth though

[Skylake1150]

Now comes the question, since I am unemployed should I use this time to study for the VCAP5-DCA exam?

I only have about six months of doing basic (and I do mean basic) real world VMware administration.

I don't want to get any certification without having experience to back it up.  Even if it's a hands on exam.

[firestartah]

I would recommend studying for the VCAP5-DCA whilst you are not busy absolutely. The blueprint for the VCAP5-DCA is a brilliant way to skill up on portions you may have not done previously and i know from my personal experience I prepared for the VCAP4-DCA whilst I was a virtualisation administrator and the amount i learnt from preparing for the exam helped me massively to be better at my job but also allowed me to know so much more and got my foot in the door for my current role as a consultant.

Experience certainly helps but if you spend the time in your lab preparing then you will pick up experience as even the best of people don't have experience on all technologies so we all learn in our labs before doing it in real life (not claiming i'm the best of people by any stretch)

Even if you decide near the end you feel you aren't ready for the exam the amount you will have learnt will be worth it anyhow.

Gregg

[sanjai2k]

I'd suggest finding a job than the certification itself. VCAP does add value to your skill level but there is no guarantee that, it will get you a job.

FYI - I'm a VCAP4-DCA and VCAP5-DCA and I got my job based on my abilities not based on my certification.

Note:- I'm from India

My 2 Cents

Sanjai

[firestartah]

Hi,

But those abilities you had to get the job, how did you learn them and were they made a lot better by you going along the journey for the VCAP-DCA exams? I agree no one will give you a job without finding out of you have the skills but having the VCAP-DCA may get you into the final five people to be interviewed over someone with no certifications. I'm not saying if you don't have certs you don't know what ur doing as for many people it's the opposite but it might get you that opportunity.

I see nothing bad about doing some studying and using the DCA as that method whilst looking for a job. You might even pick up new abilities prior to your tech interview.

Gregg

[sanjai2k]

Certification is purely a personal thing. I'd love to do certs but i cant force others. The problem what i faced so far is, Very difficult to explain about the mentioned certifications (VCAP-DCA, DCD, CID, CIA) to the Senior Management, and Internal as well as External HR.

Hope in your region that's not the case.

Adding to that:- Develop the technical skill with the help of blueprint will assist..

[atuljaan]

You should always consider doing the certification as the certification gives you to confidance as well as recognition in the industry. The HR people may not understand the value of it but the IT people definately do.

As you are having only 6 months of experience, I would suggest you to first get some more hands on exposure on the VSphere then only go for advanced level.

Hope you got my point here.

[Gav0]

Skylake1150 wrote:

Now comes the question, since I am unemployed should I use this time to study for the VCAP5-DCA exam?

I only have about six months of doing basic (and I do mean basic) real world VMware administration.

I don't want to get any certification without having experience to back it up.  Even if it's a hands on exam.

The VCP5 exam is not an easy exam.  If you have studied for and passed this then you have every right to go for the VCAP5-DCA IMO.

Real world experience is important but prepping for the VCAP will provide you with product experience/knowledge beyond what a lot of every day admins are likely to have.