[ftaisdeal]

I think it depends largely on the situation of the individual person, their goals, and their psychology, in combination. For someone just starting out, or making a career change, certificates actual can matter a lot in the "real world" as an outward expression of the motivation and work ethic of the person, and this can matter a lot to prospective employers.

There's a big difference between having no track record yet and no certificates versus no track record and a cluster of certificates. Which of those two people has a better chance? The second person, by a long shot.