Any comments appreciated...

[Anonymous]

Hi,
I just passed my SCJP (86%). Currently pursuing MS in computer science. I don't have any Java experience (other than a project which i did in my Masters program last semester) . I have some main frame expreience back in india. That was 2 years ago. I was at home taking care of my 18 month baby since then. My main priority is to get a job rather than completing MS. But because of the lack of experience i wonder if i'll ever get a job. I'm trying to learn EJB, servlets etc...
Will certification help me to atleast get an interview call .
Thanks,
Priya.

[Ray Marsh]

Keep at it. The first job is the toughest to land. It takes tenacity.
See another thread... http://www.javaranch.com/ubb/Forum37/HTML/000014.html

[Tony Alicea]

My experience was that yes, Certification (especially with a high score) will significantly increase your chances of getting an interview. Coincidentally, I just posted this, which may give you an insider's view of the process of deciding who gets an interview.
BTW, as I posted here, I also left a graduate program in CS to go to work...

[Kelsey Derringer]

On the subject of the certification, I have not taken the test yet, I'm an experienced programmer, but not in OO, and I'm now looking for an entry-level java position. I have talked to a couple of employers, neither asked about the certification, and as for lack of on-the-job experience, both said they don't care, but what they do care about is CAN YOU ACTUALLY CODE IN JAVA? One of them said that out of 300 resumes, he finds 1 who can actually code. So, I think instead of spending countless hours, weeks, maybe months studying for that exam, download the JVM and spend your time writing Java programs so you can answer the question that means the most to these employers.