Technically Speaking

Not for nothing, but do the certifications mean anything or help you out in anyway? I don't have any certs, and never had trouble getting a job. I have worked for and work for big brand name internet companies, and certs have never been brought up by any of the employers. I had an interview with a MS certified partner and they did require me to get certifications, but they offered to pay for them as long as I studied for and passed them, on company time.

So are certs relevant to ones career?

Certifications serve as a written statement of your experience and knowledge - at least in theory.

The problem here is that cheating, braindumping, etc. has devalued many certifications, because by memorizing answer any idiot (with memorizing skills) can pass any exam.

Microsoft is trying to get ahead of the game by introducing simulations, changing questions more often, and taking down commercial braindump providers (e.G. TestKing).

In my opinion, Certifications are especially important when you're working as a customer facing service provider, where the customer has no way to figure out your skillset, and Certifications carry some weight for them when they come from a big company.

Depending upon the HR departement of the respective company, they might require certifications - if certifications were a flawless process, this would actually make sense. I've seen many job advertisements with "MCSE or equivalent knowledge", so it's not bad if you don't have a certification.

But as you said, they're important if you're in the Microsoft Partner Program.

If you know your stuff, and also the official Microsoft Way Of Doing Things, then obtaining an MCSE is easy - you don't even have to learn for it (but maybe lookup technologies you don't deal with often - like ntbackup). You just have to pass 7 exams at 125US$ each - usually your company will pay for them, but anyone working in it should be able to afford 875 US$ for a certification.

Thanks to you offer

I am working as system admin in world leading san provider company. still know i don't have any certificate,
certificate cannot measure the knowledge of candidate.It is just dump.nd useless

THANKS FOR THE OFFER.

MCSE MCSE MCSE MCSE MCSE MCSE MCSE MCSE MCSE MCSE MCSE MCSE MCSE MCSE MCSE MCSE MCSE MCSE

Thanks for 40% discount on 2008 (upgrade)

i hope to get 40% off