Mamatukwas:
I’m happy to see that all my Ginger for Amex is paying off

Mbok let me plug in my referral code too http://amex.co.uk/refer/uGONNCjkWY?XL=MIMNS

If you use to apply and get approved, we bought get bonus points. Up to 34k for you depending on card type etc.

Gracias.

Someone used my ref link and was successful. Thanks a lot. I added some points cause of you

Plugging it in here still for anyone who wants to apply for an Amex card http://amex.co.uk/refer/uGONNCjkWY?XL=MIMNS

It’s a quick and sure way to get a generous CC if you qualify. Use responsibly

Hi guys...so I'm trying to open a UK bank account.

Pls can anyone confirm which of the banks is the best in all regards...I have got Barclays, Lloyd, NatWest, HSBC all very close to my house.

Widall:
Hi guys...so I'm trying to open a UK bank account.

Pls can anyone confirm which of the banks is the best in all regards...I have got Barclays, Lloyd, NatWest, HSBC all very close to my house.

They're all the same.
Roll the dice.

NNTR:

---

---

Smh, getting positions like product owner, product manager and scrum master or junior entry level, being certified by the relevant professional body(ies) is a game changer, meaning it opens doors, gives you a chance to slide your foot in, to then pitch and sell yourself

You and your friend are blindsided to the fact that, certifications is one of the things the applicant tracking systems (ATS) bot will be looking out for, and if found absent on CVs, it means, the CV goes straight into the dustbin, and the effect of that, is the CV will have no prospect of get selected for an interview appointment, leaving the CV owner, drop off even before getting to jump over the first hurdle.

No one falsifies CVs, you list your experience and then give an articulate account of however way you obtained the experience.

I remember back in the day, when I got certified as a MSCE, before I broke into the industry, the only experience aside passing 8 - 9 certifications, was my private LAN, that I used to practice installation, administration, configuration et cetera for network resources like network servers, printers, even mail servers too. It's that experience I used in getting my first break.

Now, re-read and note lightnlife OP's remark 'Please share more insights on making entry to the world of scrum'

_{Personal text: Jesus is not a theologian. He is God who told stories.}

I know folks with these certifications but still are not getting jobs. Of what use is getting to the interview stage with nothing to say about experience. Experience gives you solid content for interviews. I kept on this conversation for people here not to be misled. Especially for our folks still new in the uk. Even the kind of experience still matter, if it doesn't have an global perspective, its still difficult. We may have different views but with what I have see from frustrated folks here, it's easy to spot the gaps which is what am expressing here. Relying on certifications alone may not help much in breaking into the market talk less of going far

Goke7:
I know folks with these certifications but still are not getting jobs.

I know and have lost count of folks with IT certifications who got offered positions

Goke7:
Of what use is getting to the interview stage with nothing to say about experience. Experience gives you solid content for interviews. I kept on this conversation for people here not to be misled. Especially for our folks still new in the uk. Even the kind of experience still matter, if it doesn't have an global perspective, its still difficult. We may have different views but with what I have see from frustrated folks here, it's easy to spot the gaps which is what am expressing here.

You kept on this conversation because you're truculent

In IT, whether in the States or GB here, your hands on experience, whichever way you obtained it (e.g. installing, configuring, administering, managing network set up on VMWare virtual machines et cetera) is content solid enough for you to use in articulating in interviews, what your skills, exposure, know how, practical knowledge et cetera are

Goke7:
. Relying on certifications alone may not help much in breaking into the market talk less of going far

I am sure you have no evidence of me saying anything about relying on certifications alone. I typed that, its a game changer, will open doors for you to slip a foot, as opposed not having certification.

I reiterate the ATS bot is on the look out for certifications as prerequisite, and it would overlook CVs devoid of certification

_{Personal text: Jesus is not a theologian. He is God who told stories.}

NNTR:

---

---

Smh, getting positions like product owner, product manager and scrum master or junior entry level, being certified by the relevant professional body(ies) is a game changer, meaning it opens doors, gives you a chance to slide your foot in, to then pitch and sell yourself

You and your friend are blindsided to the fact that, certifications is one of the things the applicant tracking systems (ATS) bot will be looking out for, and if found absent on CVs, it means, the CV goes straight into the dustbin, and the effect of that, is the CV will have no prospect of get selected for an interview appointment, leaving the CV owner, drop off even before getting to jump over the first hurdle.

No one falsifies CVs, you list your experience and then give an articulate account of however way you obtained the experience.

I remember back in the day, when I got certified as a MSCE, before I broke into the industry, the only experience aside passing 8 - 9 certifications, was my private LAN, that I used to practice installation, administration, configuration et cetera for network resources like network servers, printers, even mail servers too. It's that experience I used in getting my first break.

Now, re-read and note lightnlife OP's remark 'Please share more insights on making entry to the world of scrum'

_{Personal text: Jesus is not a theologian. He is God who told stories.}

Mate,
I don’t have the time to argue with you. I shared my experience from recruiting agile coaches, scrum masters, product owners, managers, all levels of BAs and project support in the UK, where most companies rely on recruiters rather than an ATS.

If you have yours, share. You don’t have to say I’m wrong, there mustn’t be a right or a wrong, two rights can exist. Having the certificate without the experience is pointless in these occupations in this county. How do you explain a time that you effectively managed a scope creep if you haven’t even experienced it to win the interviewer’s confidence.

Alaye be talking about networking and still mentioned they had EXPERIENCE in installations and etc, which helped them break into the industry.

don’t annoy me abeg!

NNTR:
I know and have lost count of folks with IT certifications who got offered positions

You kept on this conversation because you're truculent

In IT, whether in the States or GB here, your hands on experience, whichever way you obtained it (e.g. installing, configuring, administering, managing network set up on VMWare virtual machines et cetera) is content solid enough for you to use in articulating in interviews, what your skills, exposure, know how, practical knowledge et cetera are

I am sure you have no evidence of me saying anything about relying on certifications alone. I typed that, its a game changer, will open doors for you to slip a foot, as opposed not having certification.

I reiterate the ATS bot is on the look out for certifications as prerequisite, and it would overlook CVs devoid of certification

_{Personal text: Jesus is not a theologian. He is God who told stories.}

Product manager, owner and scrum master certifications are not IT certifications, yes scrum is widely used in IT but they have to do more with delivery and team management which will require proper hands on as the certification courses are mainly theoretical. I speak as a practioner in this field. From the way you speak you are more of an IT engineer.People can decide whatever they want to believe though.

Aphrodite007:


Mate,
I don’t have the time to argue with you. I shared my experience from recruiting agile coaches, scrum masters, product owners, managers, all levels of BAs and project support in the UK, where most companies rely on recruiters rather than an ATS.

If you have yours, share. You don’t have to say I’m wrong, there mustn’t be a right or a wrong, two rights can exist. Having the certificate without the experience is pointless in these occupations in this county. How do you explain a time that you effectively managed a scope creep if you haven’t even experienced it to win the interviewer’s confidence.

Alaye be talking about networking and still mentioned they had EXPERIENCE in installations and etc, which helped them break into the industry.

don’t annoy me abeg!

The main problem is he will mislead so many here who won't know he's more of an engineer and not a product management person. He's also not patient enough to understand your perspective

Goke7:


The main problem is he will mislead so many here who won't know he's more of an engineer and not a product management person. He's also not patient enough to understand your perspective

This is even what I wanted to say to him. He can say whatever he wants to say, but not mention me. If people want to fall for it, experience is the best teacher.

So occupations like agile coach, delivery manager and product manager that don’t have industry accepted certification bodies, they should now jump inside lagoon?

I have countless mentees that have certs but no experience, I would share my experience with them so they can make it theirs for interviews- if certs are enough, why didn’t they get jobs before I mentored them? Even myself, I am currently in a role that I don’t have a cert for, so it’s funny to hear that from someone not even close to the delivery field.

Aphrodite007:
The only accepted po certificate is from scrum (because scrum made the term PO) other agile framework adopted it. But if you want to do other courses to get the certification- sure do you.

There’s no acceptable PM body (at least in the Uk), but if you believe the course you’re doing on Udemy will be used by recruiters, sure do you.

Also, PMs are previously very experienced BAs, POs, DMs, Agile Coaches, Prject Mgrs. there is no direct path to PM unless you start as a junior (not many companies employ junior roles).

P.S; in the UK (unlike America) certificates don’t get you a job, experience does. Certificates only give you the knowledge you need to answer interview questions well.

NNTR:
With all due respect, the emboldened is completely and utterly wrong, certificates will open doors, then its left to you to pitch and convince you're capable of doing the job applied for.

1. Appropriate and suitably drafted CV (i.e. curriculum vitae) or Resume e.g. make sure its applicant tracking systems (ATS) friendly
2. Recruitment Agencies, allows you to get a foot in the door, also serve as opportunities to get interviews, from which you can learn from
3. Certification(s) even foundational entry certification(s) are game changers
4. Networking, meaning, mingle and interact with others with similar professional interest, to exchange information and for developing your professional or social contacts

_{Personal text: Jesus is not a theologian. He is God who told stories.}

---

---

Aphrodite007:
Mate,

Not just mate, you'll see bud next join

Aphrodite007:
I don’t have the time to argue with you.

You already started arguing, the moment you decided to reinforce the ignorant comment you made

Aphrodite007:
I shared my experience from recruiting agile coaches, scrum masters, product owners, managers, all levels of BAs and project support in the UK, where most companies rely on recruiters rather than an ATS.

Same ol' same ol. On top, its not classified that recruiters use ATS to sift through pool CV pool. Wonder what the ATS bot is looking for and/or trying to catch out.

Aphrodite007:
If you have yours, share. You don’t have to say I’m wrong, there mustn’t be a right or a wrong, two rights can exist. Having the certificate without the experience is pointless in these occupations in this county. How do you explain a time that you effectively managed a scope creep if you haven’t even experienced it to win the interviewer’s confidence.

After passing my PRINCE2, I got a position without having yet gainful employment in project management. All I did was talk the talk, and articulated in the interview how I've put the skills to use. I must have said something right and impressed the panel because I got the position.

It behooves me that I correct your goof, in saying that 'P.S; in the UK (unlike America) certificates don’t get you a job, experience does. Certificates only give you the knowledge you need to answer interview questions well.'

Aphrodite007:
Alaye be talking about networking and still mentioned they had EXPERIENCE in installations and etc, which helped them break into the industry.

Stay focus. OP asked of way to gain entry, now networking happens to be part of the means to assist in gaining entry. Your hands on experience, will contribute, just as well, your certifications too. To say, certificates dont get you a job, is a flippant and outright irresponsible remark to make, when like I said before, certifications certainly can make a difference, in whether to get a sniff of the interviewing door or not

Aphrodite007:
don’t annoy me abeg!

What you gonna do? I am quaking in my boots, and almost wetting my pants

_{Personal text: Jesus is not a theologian. He is God who told stories.}

Goke7:
The main problem is he will mislead so many here who won't know he's more of an engineer and not a product management person. He's also not patient enough to understand your perspective

Listen, quite a lot of the Naiyja community do the fast track course with Dr at his training centre at Holborn, and get jobs pretty much soon after. I wear many hats. Have certifications in varied fields, so I am not sharing what I know, coming only from an IT perspective

I dont suffer gladly posters that dont like to own up in goofing. Certification will get you work, if you know what to do, how to do things. Period.

Aphrodite007:
This is even what I wanted to say to him. He can say whatever he wants to say, but not mention me. If people want to fall for it, experience is the best teacher.

So occupations like agile coach, delivery manager and product manager that don’t have industry accepted certification bodies, they should now jump inside lagoon?

PRINCE2, ITIL, ISEB, BCS et cetera enhances your chance of getting picked for interview selection

Aphrodite007:
I have countless mentees that have certs but no experience, I would share my experience with them so they can make it theirs for interviews- if certs are enough, why didn’t they get jobs before I mentored them? Even myself, I am currently in a role that I don’t have a cert for, so it’s funny to hear that from someone not even close to the delivery field.

You got your position either through in house promotion or vacancy created by exit of ex employee(s)

Having being certified by a professional body, is evidence of you being able to do the job, its then up to you to articulate all you know all you've learned to the interviewing panel

Even going through an Agile scrum training, is enough grounds to use when going about explaining what hands on training you have

_{Personal text: Jesus is not a theologian. He is God who told stories.}

NNTR:


_{Personal text: Jesus is not a theologian. He is God who told stories.}

The fintech I worked for, my manager was a sales manager that they asked to fill a Pjt M role because he knew the job well. He got his cert after he got his role. So he has two heads? Because your life was hard and you had to get a certification to prove yourself, doesn’t mean it’s like that for everyone.

The last recruitment agency that worked for me was cut off, because I found out that they padded their candidates’ cvs. When I raised that concern, the HR said that they had let go of other agencies for doing same— which means most agencies do that, and may mean that most UK agencies don’t have or use or rely on their ATS.

Finally I want to understand this: after the ATs picks your cv, and I interview you and ask you to give me a time when you did something, you would read the theory in your book to answer me?

One more thing: ATS searches for a bunch of words not certificates alone. If you’re experienced, those words would naturally be on your cv.

Again, say your own and go. If people believe you, fine, but don’t drag me in.

Inkredible:
Swears, you step away for a minute and theres a mountain of valuable knowledge/information to sift through.

Greetings to the ELDERS of this forum. It's being awhile, hope life has being good and kind to you all.

So, in the pursuit of happiness, I now walk the path of a Fullstack web developer. I will like to reach out to software engineers in this forum who would be kind to spare 15minutes of their time for a virtual coffee chat at your total convenience. I'd love to get to know what it is like in the industry and to make new friends and guides in this field.

I have a calendly link I can mail out if that's easier for scheduling purposes according to what time works best for you. Would post but don't want to risk nairaland's ban.

Anyways, nice to catch up with the house again.

I want to start this path too and will be happy if I can be under your guidance

Aphrodite007:


This is even what I wanted to say to him. He can say whatever he wants to say, but not mention me. If people want to fall for it, experience is the best teacher.

So occupations like agile coach, delivery manager and product manager that don’t have industry accepted certification bodies, they should now jump inside lagoon?

I have countless mentees that have certs but no experience, I would share my experience with them so they can make it theirs for interviews- if certs are enough, why didn’t they get jobs before I mentored them? Even myself, I am currently in a role that I don’t have a cert for, so it’s funny to hear that from someone not even close to the delivery field.

I currently work with one of the big four as an experienced BA after previous roles as scrum master and agile coach. If its by certification, will I stand a chance? A mentor once told me years ago that when I go for experience and get the job, companies are the ones who will pay for your certification

Aphrodite007:
The fintech I worked for, my manager was a sales manager that they asked to fill a Pjt M role because he knew the job well. He got his cert after he got his role. So he has two heads? Because your life was hard and you had to get a certification to prove yourself, doesn’t mean it’s like that for everyone.

The last recruitment agency that worked for me was cut off, because I found out that they padded their candidates’ cvs. When I raised that concern, the HR said that they had let go of other agencies for doing same— which means most agencies do that, and may mean that most UK agencies don’t have or use or rely on their ATS.

Finally I want to understand this: after the ATs picks your cv, and I interview you and ask you to give me a time when you did something, you would read the theory in your book to answer me?

One more thing: ATS searches for a bunch of words not certificates alone. If you’re experienced, those words would naturally be on your cv.

Again, say your own and go. If people believe you, fine, but don’t drag me in.

You're so far wrapped up, you dont realise the goof you made, which is, you saying, certifications dont get anyone jobs, its only experience that does. Smh

Professional certification(s) are often stated as prerequisite

_{Personal text: Jesus is not a theologian. He is God who told stories.}

NNTR:
Listen, quite a lot of the Naiyja community do the fast track course with Dr at his training centre at Holborn, and get jobs pretty much soon after. I wear many hats. Have certifications in varied fields, so I am not sharing what I know, coming only from an IT perspective

I dont suffer gladly posters that dont like to own up in goofing. Certification will get you work, if you know what to do, how to do things. Period.

PRINCE2, ITIL, ISEB, BCS et cetera enhances your chance of getting picked for interview selection

You got your position either through in house promotion or vacancy created by exit of ex employee(s)

Having being certified by a professional body, is evidence of you being able to do the job, its then up to you to articulate all you know all you've learned to the interviewing panel

Even going through an Agile scrum training, is enough grounds to use when going about explaining what hands on training you have

_{Personal text: Jesus is not a theologian. He is God who told stories.}

You are very wrong. Certification is no proof you can do any job. Stop misleading people here. I know your type, you are the kind of people misleading people by selling all sorts of fast track courses and lying to them that they will get job in weeks after getting certified or doing a course. All na wash jare. Interviewers and recruiters in the uk are now aware of such gimmick.

Anybody following your advice will have himself to blame. Shior.

NNTR:
You're so far wrapped up, you dont realise the goof you made, which is, you saying, certifications dont get anyone jobs, its only experience that does. Smh

Professional certification(s) are often stated as prerequisite

_{Personal text: Jesus is not a theologian. He is God who told stories.}

Get that straight, certifications can't get people jobs, they will have to lie in interviews to claim they have experience when they don't. And God help them if its a contract role, they can't last more than a month or 2 because they will be found out and booted out of the Job. Don't deceive people here. Naija has done so much damage to us thinking its about reading to pass, reason folks struggle in the uk. I pity those following your advice

Goke7:
I currently work with one of the big four as an experienced BA after previous roles as scrum master and agile coach. If its by certification, will I stand a chance? A mentor once told me years ago that when I go for experience and get the job, companies are the ones who will pay for your certification

It's the same in every other field, companies will send you on paid training and reimburse you for acquiring the certification, but it doesnt mean that certification will not get you work

I know of quite a number of people who went for a consecutive two Saturdays Agile training and got jobs afterwards without prior gainful employment in the field
Also know quite a number of went to same place for the BCS Practitioner Certificate training, then did the one hour closed book exam, passed it and landed a job not far off too

_{Personal text: Jesus is not a theologian. He is God who told stories.}

Goke7:
Get that straight, certifications can't get people jobs, they will have to lie in interviews to claim they have experience when they don't. And God help them if its a contract role, they can't last more than a month or 2 because they will be found out and booted out of the Job. Don't deceive people here. Naija has done so much damage to us thinking its about reading to pass, reason folks struggle in the uk. I pity those following your advice

I said its a game changer, opens door, go back to re-read, and stop being a cup half empty person

_{Personal text: Jesus is not a theologian. He is God who told stories.}

Bros calm down.
The argument is that you won't get automatic employment by presenting your certificate. The certificate can put you at an advantaged position but you will still need to pass interview to get the job.

If you have certificate and someone without certificate performs better than you at interview, they will take the person and leave you with your certificate true or false?

What the people arguing above don't realize is that they're all right and the argument in itself is a pointless one

Viruses:

Bros calm down.
The argument is that you won't get automatic employment by presenting your certificate. The certificate can put you at an advantaged position but you will still need to pass interview to get the job.

If you have certificate and someone without certificate performs better than you at interview, they will take the person and leave you with your certificate true or false?

The guy knows what he's doing. They are the ones confusing people so folks can patronise them for training. Na business things, na the people wey go fall for their scheme I just pity. I was almost a victim until a friend opened my eyes

hustla:
What the people arguing above don't realize is that they're all right and the argument in itself is a pointless one

The guy is not right. Certificates don't get jobs

I didn't envisage this trail of exchange/face-off when I asked the question about making a a career entry in the UK ooo . But it's all good, at least, for learning sake. But then, sir and ma, make una watch una words at each other.

That said, I've come to realise that experience will always thrive above paper qualifications. More so because most professions in this age and time are skill-oriented and demand performance. How do you then display skills and performance without experience? Most people in this UK have pointed to the fact that experience counts above certification. A glossary look at job openings on LinkedIn and Indeed will confirm this.

Certificates open the door for a conversation around the role, but having the relevant experiences seals the deal.

For instance, my cousin with first and second degrees from top university in the UK works in an HR company. He told me that all his OGAS don't even have first degree but they're vast on the job due to their years of experience.

My verdict: having both experience and certification is better than having just either of them. Some people will scale through with certification, others with experience. The best is to have both!

lightnlife:
I didn't envisage this trail of exchange/face-off when I asked the question about making a a career entry in the UK ooo . But it's all good, at least, for learning sake. But then, sir and ma, make una watch una words at each other.

That said, I've come to realise that experience will always thrive above paper qualifications. More so because most professions in this age and time are skill-oriented and demand performance. How do you then display skills and performance without experience? Most people in this UK have pointed to the fact that experience counts above certification. A glossary look at job openings on LinkedIn and Indeed will confirm this.

Certificates open the door for a conversation around the role, but having the relevant experiences seals the deal.

For instance, my cousin with first and second degrees from top university in the UK works in an HR company. He told me that all his OGAS don't even have first degree but they're vast on the job due to their years of experience.

Thanks for the humble and honest admittance that certificates opens the door.

Experiences comes in varied shades and forms, which you might articulate you obtained from going on a training course, hands-on knowledge, volunteering with steering committee project(s) at church et cetera

_{Personal text: Jesus is not a theologian. He is God who told stories.}

NNTR:
Thanks for the humble and honest admittance that certificates opens the door.

Experiences comes in varied shades and forms, which you might articulate you obtained from going on a training course, hands-on knowledge, volunteering with steering committee project(s) at church et cetera

You must sell this training course sha by force by fire

Goke7:


The guy is not right. Certificates don't get jobs

My house mate, with 0 experience in anything IT or DevOps got job in AWS DevOps on the back of an AWS SAA Cert he was advised to write and trainings he took on ACloud Guru and Udemy
Certs you a foot in the door, and you can then explain yourself and prove you have what it takes

His MSc was in Mechatronics so what will you say about this?

There's this babe on US Twitter who went from being a paralegal to obtaining an AWS SA Cert, ITIL and ServiceNow, she now earns north of $100K.

I will look for a link to her page and share it

EDITED

Her website
https://www.intechshetrust.com/about-me

Her twitter
https://twitter.com/princessxap

Many people joined her evangelism, got certs, got foots in the door and are earning large

NNTR:
Smh, getting positions like product owner, product manager and scrum master or junior entry level, being certified by the relevant professional body(ies) is a game changer, meaning it opens doors, gives you a chance to slide your foot in, to then pitch and sell yourself

You and your friend are blindsided to the fact that, certifications is one of the things the applicant tracking systems (ATS) bot will be looking out for, and if found absent on CVs, it means, the CV goes straight into the dustbin, and the effect of that, is the CV will have no prospect of get selected for an interview appointment, leaving the CV owner, drop off even before getting to jump over the first hurdle.

No one falsifies CVs, you list your experience and then give an articulate account of however way you obtained the experience.

I remember back in the day, when I got certified as a MSCE, before I broke into the industry, the only experience aside passing 8 - 9 certifications, was my private LAN, that I used to practice installation, administration, configuration et cetera for network resources like network servers, printers, even mail servers too. It's that experience I used in getting my first break.

Now, re-read and note lightnlife OP's remark 'Please share more insights on making entry to the world of scrum'

_{Personal text: Jesus is not a theologian. He is God who told stories.}

---

---

Viruses:
Bros calm down.
The argument is that you won't get automatic employment by presenting your certificate. The certificate can put you at an advantaged position but you will still need to pass interview to get the job.

If you have certificate and someone without certificate performs better than you at interview, they will take the person and leave you with your certificate true or false?

In short, makes it a game changer. Right?
Meaning it opens doors, gives you a chance to slide your foot in, to then, pitch and sell yourself. Isnt it

Goke7:
The guy knows what he's doing. They are ones confusing people so folks can patronise them for training. Na business things, na the people wey go fall for their scheme I just pity. I was almost a victim until a friend opened my eyes

Smh, pfft. Patronise them for training ko, patronise them for training ni.

I've done both. Gone on training school courses and done self study using CBTs, because we hadn't yet have YouTube then, and still got offered positions, without having prior gainful employment field experience

_{Personal text: Jesus is not a theologian. He is God who told stories.}

hustla:
My house mate, with 0 experience in anything IT or DevOps got job in AWS DevOps on the back of an AWS SAA Cert he was advised to write and trainings he took on ACloud Guru and Udemy
Certs you a foot in the door, and you can then explain yourself and prove you have what it takes

His MSc was in Mechatronics so what will you say about this?

There's this babe on US Twitter who went from being a paralegal to obtaining an AWS SA Cert, ITIL and ServiceNow, she now earns north of $100K.

I will look for a link to her page and share it

God bless you real good very much.
Sounds like the story of my life there for a minute

_{Personal text: Jesus is not a theologian. He is God who told stories.}

NNTR:
God bless you real good very much.
Sounds like the story of my life there for a minute

_{Personal text: Jesus is not a theologian. He is God who told stories.}

I think its the ' tech gatekeepers' that like to argue the 'certs don't matter' thing

If I have 0 in field experience but I can pass CCIE / CCIE Security, I will get jobs and offers 1000%

Over sure !

hustla:
I think its the 'tech gatekeepers' that like to argue the 'certs don't matter' thing

If I have 0 in field experience but I can pass CCIE / CCIE Security, I will get jobs and offers 1000%

Over sure !

You would have practised on VMWare so to have enough hands on experience that you can talk about which in essence is an in-house field experience, so still on to a potential win-win situation.

Hands on experience, means knowledge or skill you acquired from doing stuff yourself and/or creating the magic yourself ,as opposed to just reading about it, seeing it being done or ordinarily being certified. The certification just breaks the ice, tears down barriers that probably would have blocked you getting to the interview door

_{Personal text: Jesus is not a theologian. He is God who told stories.}