CompTIA A+ Certification Advice

[Plantboydude]

Hi all,
I would like to get the A+ certification to backup on paper my knowledge of all things IT
There are 3 ways of attaining this certification with my current circumstances.
1)By a book and self study - Cheapest, have the time, but I don’t learn by reading a book.
2)Going on a 1 Week course - Very expensive, still have to self study, might not take in all the info.
3)Buy something like a multimedia pack - Read about them, packs contain demos, many mock exams, hands on via a demo, half the price of a course.

Can anybody recommend a book, online course, media pack etc?

This is a major investment for me, which I hope will give me that break into Helpdesk.
Any advice will be welcomed.

Thanks

Plant

 

[Plantboydude]

My local uni will be doing the MCSA in September, which I will join if I have the time.

At the moment I'm not in work, I left my job at Sainsburys as it was slowly killing me and I was getting no where in finding a Job in helpdesk. So after 10 years there PT/FT I decided "that’s it time to put as much as i can into starting my career".

I just need some paper work to backup my experience as the later no longer means anything

Arch - I you could write down the details of that book, I would be most grateful

Plant

 

[Plantboydude]

I looked at these recently and managed to borrow an training CDROM from a friend. Maybe it was just his version but half the stuff is irrelevant and either americanised or out of date or both....


Why do I need to know what voltages a SIMM uses and why gold plated simm contacts are superior to other metal types etc.... SIMMS FCS !! Who uses simms these days lol


Im also in the boat of having worked full time in IT industry for the past 5 years yet I have no qualifications to show for myself hence I get overlooked purely on the lack of signed pieces of paper.....


If you can get an employer to pay for it then do it if not I say dont bother...

I cannot get an employer.

A lot of Helpdesk jobs want 1 years experience in Helpdesk and/or MCPs A+s etc, just for phone support.

How am I supposed to get my foot in the door without that?

Thanks for the advice anyway

Plant