 Value of Technical/Programming certifications?
SwellJoe: IMHO, I would consider none of them to be relevant.  While, in some cases, they provide minimal assurance that someone knows a very specific set of skills to a degree that allows them to pass a test, it is not indicative of the kind of person I would want to hire (I wouldn't say it is contra-indicative, though seeing the Microsoft certifications on a resume might make me throw up in my mouth a little).  I want to work with people who love what they do.  Certifications indicate mere competence.  I'm looking for more than competence.And, I've been involved in hiring decisions in the past (mostly my replacements), and I don't believe certifications have ever played a big role on the resume of anyone who impressed me.  But, I would rarely hire an employee (rather than a contractor performing one task) for a specific skill, and that's all a certification shows you.