Bryan, personally, I think the A+ is great for simply getting a job doing computer repair. The common thinking, as far as I can tell, is the A+ is equivalent to 6 months or more of on-the-job experience. It tells employers that you're familiar with hardware and OS issues and basic troubleshooting (in other words, you don't need as much training to do those things). Now, as for the other certs, well, they've got some validity. I'm actually just a few weeks away from testing for my CompTIA Network+ certification. After that, the original plan was to get my Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) certification and then, possibly, the Computer Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) cert. I was looking at becoming an "ethical hacker." However, I've realized how truly much I enjoy systems design and engineering, so I'm considering getting my MCSE/MCSA and staying on the hardware side. We'll see.

Many employers are now requiring, minimum, an associates degree or related studies. There are far too many people out there who, after working in customer service for six months, claim to be tech-support people. Every Tom, Dick and Harry has computer experience, so employers want to see a basic education and commitment to the industry and a desire to keep doing it. Mainly because they expect to put money and time into training you on their software or systems and they want you to stick around. The CompTIA certs show a certain level of commitment and will tell employers that you're, at the very least, serious about tech.

It depends on what you want to do ultimately. If you're going to go to work for a contractor firm, then they will often use your certs to help win contracts for example.

The CompTIA certs are good general certs (i.e. not brand specific), and some of the major players will accept them in lieu of other things. I know Micrsoft was allowing the Network+ cert to substitute for one of the MS specific ones.