The Other Side of the Coin...
I've got 20 years experience in a variety of roles, and consider myself quite good at what I do (used to be GREAT, but it's a struggle trying to keep up with new tech (let alone certs) plus the responsibilities of being older). There's a number of 'stepping stone' jobs to where I am now (sole IT person at an SMB) I wouldn't have gotten without an A+, MCP on record, as well as a 2-year equivalent diploma program I took later during a stint of unemployment. The hiring managers (and there's more of them than your example) take it for granted that, if there's no paper, there's less chance of their taking a chance on you paying off. After all, look at what kind of dunces they hired WITH certifications, right?
For instance, I interviewed for a job last year for a lower position (would have moved us closer to the wife's family). The hiring managers were impressed, until they asked what RECENT certification or training I've had. When I replied the last had been nearly a decade ago, the interview turned more into a conversation. They weren't interested in me after that.
Just goes to show...
