CompTIA A+ Job Interview Questions and their Answers guide1

The IT job market is vast and there are hundreds and thousands of organizations and businesses looking for certified computer service technicians to work with them. To become a skilled and well-informed PC service technician, it is important to clear the CompTIA A+ certification exams. Once you are CompTIA A+ certified, you can start applying for the following jobs:
Support Specialist
Help Desk Tier 2 Support
Field Service Technician
Desktop Support Analyst

Once you apply for these jobs and get short-listed thanks to your CompTIA A+ certification, you will be called in for an interview. In this article, we have compiled a list of questions that usually come up.

So one of the most common questions asked by interviewers is:
Q1- What is your experience with operating systems and which ones have you used?

This is a quite commonly asked question and shouldn’t be a reason to stress at all! Questions like these should be answered almost instantly.

In order to impress the interviewers, it is best to explain to them about all the operating systems that you have worked with. Don’t hesitate in telling them every bit of detail because they want to make sure that you are an all-rounder and can work with any OS at all.


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Project Management for IT Professionals

One major aspect of our high-tech society is the use of information technology. Just about every business is reliant upon information technology for daily operations. Companies would not be able to send emails, host virtual meetings, or save and share important documents without the use of IT. IT professionals play an important role in their company because they are responsible for managing all the programs and equipment involved with computer systems. Therefore, it is critical that IT professionals can understand and manage these systems. Project Management for IT Professionals teaches technical personnel how to apply their IT knowledge and integrate it into their company to achieve goals.

What is Project Management?

Project management is the practice of organizing team members, finances, tools, documents and all other necessary materials to achieve a certain a goal. The goal is to complete the project within a deadline. The project management process requires monitoring every phase of the project and ensuring that all tasks are being completed along the way. For IT professionals, project management includes identifying the goals of an IT manager and understanding the role of the IT team throughout the project. Specific responsibilities for the IT team may involve factoring IT products into an organization’s budget, identifying IT hardware and software solutions and building or upgrading an organization’s internal systems.


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CompTIA IT Fundamentals+

We have designed CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ practice exams to help you prepare for the FC0-U61 certification exam. This practice exam provides you with an opportunity to become familiar with the question topics and formats found in the actual CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ exam. It also helps you identify topics in which you are already well prepared and topics on which you may need further training. We have composed questions for this CompTIA FC0-U61 practice test by collecting inputs from recently certified candidates and our community users. We have rigorously maintained the topic weights, passing score, exam duration and question format in our mock exam as per the FC0-U61 CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ certification syllabus. Simply, our CompTIA ITF+ practice exam builds readiness and confidence for the FC0-U61 certification exam.

To get familiar with our online practice test platform, we request you to try our sample CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ certification practice exam. The sample practice test is designed to help you understand the nature of real FC0-U61 exam environment.

The sample practice exam covers the basics of CompTIA FC0-U61 certification exam. To evaluate your readiness and assess your subject knowledge with real-time scenario based question-answers, we strongly recommend you to prepare with premium CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ certification practice exam


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Certifications to Begin and Advance Your Tech Career

Even as unemployment rates reach into the double digits, IT is still hiring. Indeed, because tech is a vital part of nearly every successful business, IT remains one of the most stable career paths. Nevertheless, now is the time to beef up your skills in case your company starts to falter.
Example

Jason Hernandez switched from a music career to IT in 2016, getting training through the IT-Ready Technical Support program in the CompTIA Tech Career Academy. Armed with his first IT certification, CompTIA A+, he landed an IT job, working as a technical user support analyst at Medtronic.

Additional certifications enabled Hernandez to move up from there. He says his CompTIA Network+ certification enabled him to work in a specialized support group helping Medtronic’s mobile sales team in the field. “In that role, I was exposed to more specialized systems and got my first taste of working through security incidents,” he said, spurring his interest in security.

Since then, Hernandez has earned his CompTIA Security+, CompTIA CySA+ and CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) certifications and become a technology systems administrator for Eden Prairie Schools, where he earns a competitive salary. He manages large tech projects that serve 10,000+ students, staff and parents connecting daily. His specific role involves cybersecurity policies, vulnerability scanning and management, as well as MacOS/iOS administration using JAMF, which he’s also certified in.


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How Much Money Can I Make in Embedded Development

Getting experience in other areas of IT first provides a well-rounded background for embedded development. Careers in tech support and computer networking can help you better understand embedded hardware systems and interfacing peripherals. Likewise, helping end users resolve technology issues is a great way to improve your communication and problem-solving skills.

Cybersecurity skills and knowledge also play a role in embedded development. Embedded developers need to make sure the software and applications they’re making are secure and don’t introduce vulnerabilities.

Some employers may consider experience – both on-the-job and on your own time – as well as IT certifications as a supplement to, or even in lieu of, a college degree. Developers from Essay Tigers suggest that in the world of embedded systems, personal projects and experiences communicate your expertise to employers’ even better than acquired education

To land an embedded development position, it’s helpful to have certain degrees and/or IT certifications to your name. Entry- and junior-level embedded developers may need a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, software engineering, electronics engineering or computer science. Usually a master’s degree is not required for entry- or junior-level applicants, but may be expected of senior-level professionals.

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What Is the National Cyber League?

How was the most inclusive, performance-based cybersecurity game formed? In 2011, while looking to provide an ongoing virtual training ground for students to develop, practice and validate their cybersecurity knowledge and skills, leaders from National Science Foundation Advanced Technical Education (NSF ATE) Cybersecurity Centers and other institutions formed the National Cyber League. The capture-the-flag-based competition was developed into a next-generation, high-fidelity simulation environment for high school and college students.

The NCL stands out from other cybersecurity competitions by providing comprehensive, individual Scouting Reports that can be integrated into resumes and shared with potential employers to highlight specific areas of success. More than 10,000 students and 550 institutions participate each year in the NCL.

With more than 500,000 cybersecurity-based jobs available (CyberSeek) and a fun, performance-based game to help you get there, what are you waiting for? Follow your cybersecurity passion today


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CompTIA Core Certifications

CompTIA Core Certifications are for beginners and entry-level IT professionals.

There are four CompTIA Core Certifications:
CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
CompTIA A+
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA Security+

CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, and CompTIA Security+ are all DoD 8570.01-M-approved certifications.

CompTIA provides vendor-neutral certifications that validate candidates have achieved a specific level of expertise that can be applied universally, regardless of vendor. For example, someone with CompTIA Network+ certification should apply their knowledge and skills to Cisco or Juniper networking technologies — at a basic level.

The CompTIA certification program encompasses certs in four categories:
Core
Infrastructure
Cybersecurity
Professional

In their CompTIA Certification Roadmap, CompTIA sees the three technical certification categories as a progression — as IT professionals build on their skills from Core to Infrastructure and then to Cybersecurity.
A number of the certs on the CompTIA Certification list are U.S. Department of Defense-approved baseline certifications (DoD 8570.01-M). This can provide certified professionals with job opportunities in the Federal Government sector.


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Average Salary for Security+ Cert Holders

According to PayScale, the national average salary is about $50,000. Let’s compare that to the average for those who hold a CompTIA Security+ cert. Those individuals bring in an average of about $73,000 a year. That’s over $20,000 more on average. That sounds great, but these numbers paint with very broad strokes. People have a wide mix of backgrounds, certifications, and experience. If you can bring in $100,000 today, Security+ might not make sense if a salary increase is what you’re after.

Additionally, just having Security+ doesn’t automatically put you at $73,000. Even with a Security+ there is a very wide range. The salaries range from $46,000 to $116,000. This is because IT pros with a mix of experience, education, and roles hold the cert. A junior analyst on Day 1 will generally make a lot less than a senior manager, but both may hold the same certification.

Just getting a Security+ won’t change your work history and automatically qualify you for any role. However, it does give you a better negotiating tool and make you more marketable. The takeaway here is to have reasonable expectations and contextualize what the Security+ means at this point in your career. For the right person, Security+ is a great IT security resume booster.


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What is the Windows Subsystem for Linux

Windows Substation for Linux (WSL) isn’t a brand-new technology, but it’s still a feature worth exploring within Windows Server 2019. Let’s take a brief look at how to install WSL, use cases for WSL, and what this means for your existing knowledge and skills.

We can think of the WSL as a compatibility layer that runs between your Windows operating system and a Linux kernel. It is installed as an optional component onto your Windows computer or server (Windows Server 2019 in our example). Once this layer has been installed, you are able to run Linux commands from a Linux command line — just as if you were sitting in front of a native Linux computer.

This opens many possibilities for administrators, developers, and software testers who need to test scripts, programs, or commands quickly — without the need to swap computers or fire up a Linux virtual machine.

Finally, there’s the issue of security. Before Microsoft had a reliable patching cycle, it was Linux systems that were seen as the most secure option to host critical services within companies and organizations. Updating the entire operating system from the command line is a simple task,with all dependencies looked after automatically. WSL is the same. This makes it a safe option to use, provided you keep your systems updated.

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Install a Package Manager

In order to make macOS a useful workstation for Linux administration or development, you’ll need to install many different open source software packages.

Homebrew (or just brew) is a proper package manager for macOS that allows you to obtain open source software from GitHub and compile it (if necessary) to run on macOS with simple commands. For example, brew install neofetch will install neofetch, while brew install nvim will install neovim. You can also use brew to remove software or restart services that were installed via brew.

Most open source software that you’ll need for Linux administration or development can be installed using brew if there isn’t a pre-compiled app available from the software’s website or App Store. Moreover, if you work as a cybersecurity professional, there are hundreds of open source security tools that you may need to install using brew, depending on your needs.

To install brew, go to https://brew.sh and copy the command shown into a terminal window. This will first download the Xcode command line tools (approx. 2.5GB) before installing the brew system files.

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CompTIA Security+ 501 vs. 601

IT certifications show employers that candidates have the knowledge and skills they need to do the job, and they help IT pros advance in their careers. As cybersecurity has become a critical function, cybersecurity certifications are among the most popular IT certifications globally. More than 500,000 IT pros have earned CompTIA Security+, and the soon-to-be-released 2020 IT Skills and Salary Report includes CompTIA Security+ among the top 10 cybersecurity certifications.

CompTIA Security+ is chosen by more employers than any other IT certification to prove hands-on core cybersecurity skills and fulfills U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) 8570 compliance. As the need to secure more systems, software and hardware grows, more IT job roles are now turning to CompTIA Security+ to supplement cybersecurity skills.

CompTIA Security+ addresses the latest cybersecurity trends and techniques – covering the most core technical skills in risk assessment and management, incident response, forensics, enterprise networks, hybrid/cloud operations and security controls, ensuring high performance on the job. Let’s break down some of the highlights.

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trademark of Comptia organization

It may be noted that you cannot mix and match the new and older exams. Either you have to take both older exams (220-901 and 220-902) or you have to take both new exams (220-1001 and 220-1002). If you are already in the middle of preparation, it is recommended that you prepare for the older exams.

ExamGuides.com, a leading exam cram website for IT certs has been updated to provide better user experience by incorporating breadcrumbs, horizontal navigation, and search engine optimization. The website offers exam cram notes on CCNA, CCNP, Comptia A+, Network+, Juniper JNCIA, and others. The cram notes is free and useful for candidates preparing for certification exams for final review of the syllabus. Check it out!

Disclaimer: Comptia® is a registered trademark of Comptia organization and duly acknowledged. A+ Core1™ and A+ Core2™ are trademarks of Comptia organization.

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Expanding Your Cybersecurity Skills

It’s easy to find resources for getting started with cybersecurity — but far harder to find ones designed for people who are already working as cybersecurity professionals. To help, we’ve collected some great options for advancing your skills.
Taking advanced training courses

All too often, cybersecurity pros assume that structured training courses are appropriate only for beginners. The truth is, there are free and paid cybersecurity courses on the market that will help you grow as a professional and avoid critical mistakes.

In addition, vendors often offer training when they release new software or product updates. Taking these classes can quickly bring you up to speed on the solution’s key functionality, saving you a lot of time later.
Participating in hackathons

Another way to improve your cybersecurity skills and network with colleagues is to participate in hackathons, where professionals collaborate intensively to develop a unique project in a limited time. One of the most popular resources for finding these events is Hackathon.com. Enterprise giants such as Samsung also regularly organize hackathons.

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comptia a+ technician Testing strategy

First, we need to know what will satisfy the question. Here there are two ports on the device one is for power. Check the answers and the only one relative to power is 12v DC jack. Now you have one of your two answers since none of the others reference power at all. You’ll see other voltages in the field but remember that the world you are in right here only has one listing a power rating and so it is your “BEST” choice. Now to Security, we want to know which choice has no electrical properties and provides security. On the list you can see a NIC, HDMI, and a USB port. All of those use some form of electrical energy, so they are out. We’ve used the 12v answer and we are left with the Cable lock which is correct because it is a security component.
Testing strategy

During the test, monitor your timing. The A+ Exam allows for approximately one question per minute. You will find that easy questions (i.e. any question for which you know the answer immediately) may take as little as five seconds to complete. However, as the questions become more complex, they may take you a lot longer. This is where you need to determine when something is taking too long and mark the question and jump to the next question. We recommend that, if after a minute you are still completely in the dark, you use the “Mark for later” feature and come back to the question after having had the opportunity to answer all the other questions you are comfortable with. This way you are less likely to run out of time. Also, your brain may have processed the question “in the background” while you were answering the rest of the questions. When that happens you may find that a question that seemed impossible to answer on the first brush is now suddenly “easy”.

Take the test in stages where you can look at (and answer) every question during your first look. Mark for later anything any question that will cost too much time and slow you down. When you do Mark for later an MCQ do take a quick guess as with four choices a completely random selection will yield a 25% chance vs. zero if you don’t take a guess. When you come back to all your Marked for later questions, the correct response may jump right out at you, if so great! Answer it and move on. You want to work yourself down the exam questions to where you only “leave on the table” the questions you have no idea about (still take a guess on those though) but where you gave yourself the opportunity to answer every question you know the answer to.

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What is the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

Windows Substation for Linux (WSL) isn’t a brand-new technology, but it’s still a feature worth exploring within Windows Server 2019. Let’s take a brief look at how to install WSL, use cases for WSL, and what this means for your existing knowledge and skills.

We can think of the WSL as a compatibility layer that runs between your Windows operating system and a Linux kernel. It is installed as an optional component onto your Windows computer or server (Windows Server 2019 in our example). Once this layer has been installed, you are able to run Linux commands from a Linux command line — just as if you were sitting in front of a native Linux computer.

This opens many possibilities for administrators, developers, and software testers who need to test scripts, programs, or commands quickly — without the need to swap computers or fire up a Linux virtual machine.

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Take a Closer Look at the CompTIA Network Certification

Whether your business deals exclusively in information technology or you have a strong IT department within an unrelated industry, you almost certainly need talented and trained individuals who understand the ins and outs of networking.

Such employees are vital whatever the business, but they are especially integral if you provide IT services for clients, in which case your IT staff will physically meet and interact with customers in their homes or offices.

To ensure that you have staff that are familiar with all aspects of networking and have impeccable credentials, enroll groups or individuals into the CompTIA Network Certification Program from Ashford Global.

For this reason, it is vital that those who represent your company have the best possible credentials. It is often cheaper to provide training to entry-level employees than it is to hire those with advanced degrees in computer networking. After taking the CompTIA Networking Certification Program and exam, your staff will have the credentials necessary to impress clients and boost the image of your company in a major way.

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Future-Proof Your Career with a CompTIA A+ Certification

The field of information technology (IT) offers numerous opportunities for professionals. But like other jobs, you will need several tools to go up the career ladder. IT certifications are helpful because they let you showcase your expertise. CompTIA A+ is just an example of worthy certifications to acquire.
CompTIA A+ 220-1001 Certification

The CompTIA A+ 220-1001 exam assesses the needed skills for the entry-level IT professionals. The applicants who pass the exam will obtain the knowledge required to configure, maintain, and install PCs, mobile devices, as well as software for users. They will know how to accumulate components on the basis of the demands of clients; figure out the basics of networking and security forensics; give relevant support for clients; utilize troubleshooting skills; safely and precisely diagnose, solve, and document general software and hardware problems; understand the basics of desktop imaging, virtualization, scripting, and deployment. The 220-1001 certification exam is comprised of about 90 performance-based and multiple-choice questions. The time given to answer the questions is 90 minutes. The applicants are expected to have at least 9 months of experience working as an IT support specialist.

There are definite skills that the exam is intended to include. They include


Mobile Devices (14%)


Networking (20%)


Hardware (27%)


Virtualization and Cloud Computing (12%)


Hardware and Networking Troubleshooting (27%)

The percentage indicates the weight of questions that can be expected from each of the topic area.

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CompTIA Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+)

For those who are not on a technical career track, there is knowledge that you can acquire to become more valuable when it comes to IT projects. You don’t need technical expertise but any certification in the professional pathway provides knowledge that would be enough for non-technical roles in information technology. The additional professional pathway includes:

CompTIA Project+ certifies the knowledge and skills required to manage the project life cycle, ensure appropriate communication, manage resources, manage stakeholders, and maintain project documentation.

CompTIA Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+) certification validates that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to prepare, present, facilitate, and evaluate a training session.

CompTIA Cloud Essentials covers cloud services from a business perspective. The expertise validated includes the business value of cloud computing, cloud types, steps to successful adoption of the cloud, impact and changes on IT service management, as well as risks and consequences.

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CompTIA A+ Certification: For a Better Career

To become the crème de la crème of computer support, then the CompTIA A+ Certification is the credential for you.

This vendor-neutral certification proves your competency of basic computer hardware and operating systems in areas such as installing, building, configuring, optimizing, diagnosing, troubleshooting, and repairing as well as the basics of networking. The CompTIA A+ Certificate is also an indication of your ability to interact and communicate effectively with customers.
How and Why to get Certified

If you plan on pursuing the CompTIA A+ Certification, then you need to pass the CompTIA A+ Essentials exam and the CompTIA A+ Practical Application exam. To help you prepare to pass both exams, you should enroll in a training course. If you want the best CompTIA A+ Certification training across the U.S., then Ashford Global IT (AGIT) is the place you should head to.
With a combination of lecture and scenario-based activities, you will be taught the core disciplines of the CompTIA A+ Certification, which include:
Identifying personal computer components
Identifying the components and functions of operating systems
Installing and organizing computer and system components
Supporting laptops and printers
Supporting personal computer security

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Incorporate Continuous Education

The Ability to Incorporate Continuous Education: IT is constantly evolving, and as an IT pro, you need to stay on top of those changes. Rather than keeping up with everything that’s new and innovative, focus on a handful of things so you can be an expert in cloud or cybersecurity or whatever the topic may be. In addition to learning new skills, you’ll want to make sure to stay sharp on the skills that helped you land your job.
The Ability to Mentor and Inspire the Next Generation of Workers: Technology is not as attractive to young people as it used to be, so today’s IT workforce needs to communicate why they love what they do and what excites them. To fill the gap left by retiring baby boomers, IT needs more than just young people. “We need to inspire all kinds of people – minorities, women, people re-entering workforce,” Thibodeaux said. “They will listen to people who can communicate that excitement, that love. If we don’t get great people in, we won’t be able to do all the exciting things we want to do.”

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