What's the benefits of having the OCPJP?

[Mina Daoud]

Hey guys,

I have been preparing for the OCPJP now over a month, but I was today in a job interview and suddenly the question came to me. What's the benefits of having the OCPJP?
A lot of companies doesn't really care if you have it or not, they want to see if i know Java or not, and that's by doing a technical test.

The only benefit i can see, is that it makes my CV little bit btter. But any other benefits you know guys?

Thanks,

[Mohamed Sanaulla]

If you actually learn the concepts, apply them via code during your preparation for OCPJP- It will enhance your Java skills and any kind of technical test will be a cake walk Certification adds a value and vouches for your Java knowledge. Doing it for the mere sake of getting a job or decorating resume would not be useful.

See it this way- Via the preparation for the certification you actually learn the language and its intricate features which otherwise would not have been possible to learn. Some prepare without understanding the concepts- Just solving some huge database of questions, which will not help in the long run.

Think of a situation- There are 2 candidates- both are equally good, but one has a certification to vouch for his skills. Then the one with certification would be given importance right? It s not bad to have a certification, but one cannot say that Certification is "THE" way to get a job.

[Mina Daoud]

mohammed sanaullah wrote:If you actually learn the concepts, apply them via code during your preparation for OCPJP- It will enhance your Java skills and any kind of technical test will be a cake walk Certification adds a value and vouches for your Java knowledge. Doing it for the mere sake of getting a job or decorating resume would not be useful.

See it this way- Via the preparation for the certification you actually learn the language and its intricate features which otherwise would not have been possible to learn. Some prepare without understanding the concepts- Just solving some huge database of questions, which will not help in the long run.

Think of a situation- There are 2 candidates- both are equally good, but one has a certification to vouch for his skills. Then the one with certification would be given importance right? It s not bad to have a certification, but one cannot say that Certification is "THE" way to get a job.

Yea I got your point. I already know the Java concept and working with it, but when i start these days looking for new job i was thinking does it worth spending time in the OCPJP or shall i spend that time to learn new framework to be able to hunt new job?
I think i am still newbie in the Java web world, and i want to know what to do to be professional!! quite lost and disappointed

[Ed Ward]

I think there are going to be a variety of opinons on this but for me a certification (Java or not) boils down like this.

As a job seeker I think it shows that you are willing and able to learn; that you might be a self-starter and willing to go the extra mile.
It suggests you comprehend the fundamentals of said subject and, depending on the certification, are able to apply them appropriatley.

As a job interviewer, given two prospective candidates with all things being equal (skill set, experience, attitude, personality, salary, etc.) one having a certification one not, I'd probably be more inclined to hire the one with the cert.

I think each person needs to decide the benefits of a given cert for themselves. I studied for the SCJP before I got my first job in the field and then sat for and passed the exam shortly thereafter. For me, it seemed like the logical progression since I was just getting into the field. On the other hand, I have worked with developers that have years upon years of Java experience and do not have a single certification.

The reasons for and benefits of a cert vary from one person to another and where they are in life and career.

[Mina Daoud]

Ed Ward wrote:I think there are going to be a variety of opinons on this but for me a certification (Java or not) boils down like this.

As a job seeker I think it shows that you are willing and able to learn; that you might be a self-starter and willing to go the extra mile.
It suggests you comprehend the fundamentals of said subject and, depending on the certification, are able to apply them appropriatley.

As a job interviewer, given two prospective candidates with all things being equal (skill set, experience, attitude, personality, salary, etc.) one having a certification one not, I'd probably be more inclined to hire the one with the cert.

I think each person needs to decide the benefits of a given cert for themselves. I studied for the SCJP before I got my first job in the field and then sat for and passed the exam shortly thereafter. For me, it seemed like the logical progression since I was just getting into the field. On the other hand, I have worked with developers that have years upon years of Java experience and do not have a single certification.

The reasons for and benefits of a cert vary from one person to another and where they are in life and career.

You are absolulety right, for me when i thought to get the OCPJP is just to add value to myself, or to feel like i got voucher for my knowledge.
But let me ask a question, what to do to be professional in career? I am working with Java over 2 years now, and where I am working its nowhere to improve my skills. and when i do read blogs i see people i would like to be professional as them, what's the path or the way to achieve that?

[Ed Ward]

Mina Daoud wrote:I am working with Java over 2 years now, and where I am working its nowhere to improve my skills.

Again, I think you have to make a choice. If the job you're in is not doing anything to further your skillset or career, and you want to, then do some self study and start looking for a job which you feel will move you in the direction you want to go. I'm in a similar situation at the moment and the only way I'm likely to move my skill set forward (in the direction I want) in my current job is if someone leaves; which seems unlikely to happen for several years. On the other hand, my current job is walking distance from home, pays well, very flexible as far as work hours, allows us to work remotely from time to time, most of the people are great and the project/team managment and philosophy is pretty good.

So what do you do?
Weigh the cost/benefit/risk/desire for change and then choose.

BTW, finding and participating in a local Java user group (or some other user group) is great way to network and possibly find another opportunity.


We may be drifting into a careers/jobs discussion here, but I'll leave it to a Sheriff to decide.

[Mina Daoud]

But, if you don't have the skills required you can never hunt a job! I am writing that post because i got refused from a job, they asked me in so deep details in Hibernate, while in my current job they don't even use it or will! i just learnt it myself to do basic operation!
Yea, i am sorry the post is drifting to career discussion.
But, my initial question is quite, how to improve my skills?a lot of people saying practice pratice, but with yourself its hard to get motivated or help if you got stuck.
even if i start a project myself, i still need a guide to see my code and check if its the best way writing it or not! am i wrong in that?

[Paul Anilprem]

Mina Daoud wrote:
I already know the Java concept and working with it, but when i start these days looking for new job i was thinking does it worth spending time in the OCPJP or shall i spend that time to learn new framework to be able to hunt new job?

There are many ways to check whether you are good at basic Java programming or not. Certification is one way and is quite expensive. You should probably take a complete mock exam (free one such as Exam Lab will do) and see how you score. This will tell you whether you really know the concepts well or not. If your score is too low, well, you can study and attempt another test.

If you score well, IMHO, you should move on to "in demand" frameworks like Spring and Hibernate instead of focusing of getting the certification.

[Mina Daoud]

Paul Anilprem wrote:

There are many ways to check whether you are good at basic Java programming or not. Certification is one way and is quite expensive. You should probably take a complete mock exam (free one such as Exam Lab will do) and see how you score. This will tell you whether you really know the concepts well or not. If your score is too low, well, you can study and attempt another test.

If you score well, IMHO, you should move on to "in demand" frameworks like Spring and Hibernate instead of focusing of getting the certification.

Great, so I got now that I need to make sure i am good in the Java's concept and then i move to the frameworks.
My question now is, how to improve my skills in the concept? is there any projects which i can participate in?

[Paul Anilprem]

Mina Daoud wrote:

Paul Anilprem wrote:

There are many ways to check whether you are good at basic Java programming or not. Certification is one way and is quite expensive. You should probably take a complete mock exam (free one such as Exam Lab will do) and see how you score. This will tell you whether you really know the concepts well or not. If your score is too low, well, you can study and attempt another test.

If you score well, IMHO, you should move on to "in demand" frameworks like Spring and Hibernate instead of focusing of getting the certification.

Great, so I got now that I need to make sure i am good in the Java's concept and then i move to the frameworks.
My question now is, how to improve my skills in the concept? is there any projects which i can participate in?

While working on a project is definitely a good thing in general, it may not be a good idea to jump on it immediately. Once you take a mock test, you will know what areas are you weak at. Read those topics from the book. Short test programs are best at this stage. Basically, assume that you are going to take the certification exam and prepare for it. Just don't take the actual exam. Keep workin with the mocks.

Right now, I suspect that you don't know what you don't know But once you start taking the mocks, you will soon figure out your level of understanding and then you can decide better what you need to do next.

[Mina Daoud]

Paul Anilprem wrote:

Mina Daoud wrote:

Paul Anilprem wrote:

There are many ways to check whether you are good at basic Java programming or not. Certification is one way and is quite expensive. You should probably take a complete mock exam (free one such as Exam Lab will do) and see how you score. This will tell you whether you really know the concepts well or not. If your score is too low, well, you can study and attempt another test.

If you score well, IMHO, you should move on to "in demand" frameworks like Spring and Hibernate instead of focusing of getting the certification.

Great, so I got now that I need to make sure i am good in the Java's concept and then i move to the frameworks.
My question now is, how to improve my skills in the concept? is there any projects which i can participate in?

While working on a project is definitely a good thing in general, it may not be a good idea to jump on it immediately. Once you take a mock test, you will know what areas are you weak at. Read those topics from the book. Short test programs are best at this stage. Basically, assume that you are going to take the certification exam and prepare for it. Just don't take the actual exam. Keep workin with the mocks.

Right now, I suspect that you don't know what you don't know But once you start taking the mocks, you will soon figure out your level of understanding and then you can decide better what you need to do next.

Brilliant, thanks so much that was the most detailed answer i would get . Actually i know what i am week at, like generics and threading
Do you know any website, community where i can practice (not just solving exam)?
Thanks,