Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, tells CCNAs how to make a great impression in their next job interview - and what mistakes to avoid!
Okay, you did it! You earned your Cisco Certified Network Associate certification.
Now what?
People who pass the CCNA exam fall into one of three categories. You
may be just entering the IT field you may be working on the LAN side
and want to move to the WAN side (that's where I was when I passed the
CCNA), or you may already work on the WAN side of the network, and you
want to move up the ladder.
One way or the other, you're going to have to face the dreaded job
interview. Some CCNAs do really well in interviews, and some don't.
I've been on both sides of that interview, and I have a few pointers
for you to be one of those who do well and get that job.
Be confident, but not cocky. The CCNA is a great certfication to have
it's where we all start. Do not walk into the interview thinking you
know everything because you have a CCNA. (I'm a CCIE and am the first
to admit I certainly don't know everything.)
Answer questions confidently if you don't know the answer, that's no
sin. If you prepared for your CCNA the right way -- getting hands-on
experience and understanding tougher topics like binary math and NAT --
you'll be fine.
Do not stop studying the day you pass the exam. Knowledge that you
don't use quickly becomes forgotten. It's okay to take a day or two off
and celebrate, but you have to get back to work after that. Keep
reviewing your CCNA topics, and get started on your first CCNP exam.
I've seen too many newly-minted CCNAs who quickly forgot everything
they learned for the exam because they stopped studying right after
they passed.
Prepare for the interview like it's another CCNA exam. Because it is. Except there won't be any multiple choice.
Start preparing for the interview BEFORE you take the exam. How do you
do that? Study for the exam the right way. Get some hands-on
experience, either in a class or on your own rack of equipment. Get a
quality Cisco education. Ask questions of those already in the field.
By doing these things now, you'll come across as a quality candidate on
the big day.
Good luck!
Chris Bryant
CCIE (TM) #12933
Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage (www.thebryantadvantage.com), home of free CCNA and CCNP tutorials, The Ultimate CCNA Study Package, and Ultimate CCNP Study
Packages. Video courses and training, binary and subnetting help, and
corporate training are also available.
For a FREE copy of his latest e-books, "How To Pass The CCNA" or "How To Pass The CCNP", send a request to chris@thebryantadvantage.com today !
