Certs & salary

[Magyc]

Hey guys-

Just looking for some opinions or experience with your professional development. Yes, I know there's a Professional development sub forum, but this is tech specific:


When you received xyz certification or grad degree/certificate, what or how did your company compensate you?...if they did at all.

In the past year I've got my CISSP and began working on my graduate degree in Computer Forensics. I'm also up for a "standard" promotion on the career ladder(after x amount of time). I'm getting the feeling that my company isn't going to recognize professional development and I'm getting basically 0 compensation by staying with them versus shopping my (newly "beefed up") resume around. I've had discussions with my management, and can handle my own, but wanted a feel from those who work with other companies, etc.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[Fubar]

It has always been my experience (18+yrs) that you need to get the money up front when you first come in the door. I'd start shopping if I were you. No need to rush, but listen to all comers. Sounds like you are at liberty to pick and choose.

I just went through a positive experience with LinkedIn. Changed my status a few months ago, and a recruiter found me. I'm leaving MSFT for a new growth experience.

Edited to add: Don't put too much weight on your Certs. Execute. Kick ass. Be better than the next guy. Someone can have a list of certs as long as their arm (like I do) but if they can't do when given the opportunity, the certs are worthless. Use them as your ticket to get in the door.

[Kalanis]

I agree with Fubar. Do a great job where you are, but look around. Finishing a degree should be a huge bump because the company can charge the customer more for your time. Continue your professional development, but build and maintain your reputation. Be the guy that gets it done, and done right, the first time.

[Outofcontrol]

Agree completely. When I got all three ISPS certifications, the company I was working for said, "Good Job!" but didn't really discuss a bump in pay. So I too, changed my LinkedIn status and almost immediately (about 96 hours) had three offers on the plate at a minimum of 1.4 times my then salary. Obviously, daddy is not with the old employer anymore.

OOC, out

[CV]

Shop around. Period.

[Dark Helmet]

Obviously, daddy is not with the old employer anymore.



Approving nod to anyone that refers to themself as "Daddy" in the third person.

[Magyc]

Always shopping, and understand that experience and performance always outweighs paper...just thought maybe there's a company out there interested in talent development & retention / employee loyalty...I guess it was a bit naive of me, working for the borg, to think that.

Thanks for the comments.

[Doc P]

...just thought maybe there's a company out there interested in talent development & retention / employee loyalty...

There are, but it's a bit of trial and error to find them. Certification will no doubt help bring your name up in resume searches, and can be augmented by your experience and education, but shouldn't be weighted as primary consideration.

I echo the sentiments above that always know your company or potential future employers will bump you up after education or certifications completed, otherwise you may be wasting your time and money.

[GackMan]

Any thoughts?


I've found that getting a cert on your own time once you already have a job will 1) make you more competitive (either for an internal or external move up) and 2) give you a nice bullet on your next review. I've rarely seen/recieved a specific $XXX bonus for getting a cert, etc unless that carrot was already on the table when the company sent me after it.

The skills and certs will open new doors, not make your current situation more lucrative.

Unless your job changes, you were hired into your position with your current skill set and you're paid based on that. If you get a graduate degree and a cert on your own dime, you'll get more compensation by moving to a position that requires/uses those new skills and knowledge. Not by staying in the same position doing the same job.

On my current team, there is a push for a lot of the guys to get their CISSP - I've had mine since 2004. But there is no money on the table for the guys who get it; it is an expectation that they do that in the next year to 18 months. The company is paying for the training and resources for them to meet that goal.

[Magyc]

I agree that it won't get me anything sitting still...the reason I brought it up is I was given an offer for a transfer within the company, which would include a promotion.

However, the offer(read: promotion) was barely more than any annual merit salary increase I've had. In fact, the original offer was for lower than any annual merit, but the manager kicked that back to corporate HR before sending to me (and later told me).

[GackMan]

I agree that it won't get me anything sitting still...the reason I brought it up is I was given an offer for a transfer within the company, which would include a promotion.

However, the offer(read: promotion) was barely more than any annual merit salary increase I've had. In fact, the original offer was for lower than any annual merit, but the manager kicked that back to corporate HR before sending to me (and later told me).

Sounds like your (potential) new manager is looking out for you.

There's always the opinion that getting news skills/knowledge gets you a *better* job but that might not always mean more compensation.

[sarc88]

I agree that it won't get me anything sitting still...the reason I brought it up is I was given an offer for a transfer within the company, which would include a promotion.


You just answered one facet of your own question. Getting that cert qualified you for a promotion (to a NEW opening) that it sounds like they want you to have. They hired you for your current job without it, right?

Lets say you hired me to sort your mail. In my off time, I'm studying Postal Science and come to you for a raise when I earn the BS. You'd probably say "Sarc, congrats on your degree bro, but I didn't hire you b/c I needed a Postmaster, I just need you to sort the mail. Lets see if there's something else around here we can bump you up to and maybe bring in a new mail boy". Your company seems like they're doing the right thing, even if the money's a little weak.

Shopping around - is great advice. One of my old bosses told me "... looking for a better job should be your part-time job. Just don't do it on my time!" That company was also very good about tuition asst and paying for certs/quals - but ONLY if they aligned with the company mission and employee positions.

Good luck and congrats on your new quals and prospects.

[triumph]

"When you received xyz certification or grad degree/certificate, what or how did your company compensate you?...if they did at all."

I got zippo for my CISSP and a SANS cert. The only thing I got was compensation for the exams,which I thought wasn't a bad deal, considering that was over 1k total.

The certs will open new doors in my experience.

T

[Outofcontrol]

Approving nod to anyone that refers to themself as "Daddy" in the third person.

LMAO!! And a hat tip to the almighty Helmet!

Daddy had just finished skype-ing with his 3 year old son before posting his last post.

Alright...this is admittedly going a little overboard...:biggrin:

OOC, out

[The Fat Guy]

Approving nod to anyone that refers to themself as "Daddy" in the third person.

Thats creepier than a bald clown with snaps in the crotch of his pants

[The Fat Guy]

Certs are sometimes necessary, In my profession, everyone asks why I do not have a CPP after my name. I tell them that while some guy is learning the answers to a test, I was putting in the work that no one else could do. As much as I hate the whole CERT process, many times you need to suck it up and get them to ADD to your experience. Ultimately, like Fubar says, Kick ass and be the best. The certs will get you noticed, the ass kicking goof work will get you promoted or hired to a better gig.