Work the hours that suit you best. A good employer will judge you on output, not attendance. Management by counting heads and looking at a clock is not real management. However, make sure your boss is comfortable with working non-standard hours...

What certification shows is a breadth of understanding - a good interviewer will be able to determine depth. More importantly, they show a commitment to your profession. Whilst an inexperienced developer can pass the exams, and not make a good programmer, they will most likely know more than an uncertified bluffer. As someone who has done a lot of recruitment, it certainly won't get you the job, but it will tell me you are serious about development as your profession (and thus make you more likely to get an interview). Plus, I think as a personal development exercise, studying for and passing MCP exams is highly beneficial, as it exposes you to areas where your work my not require you to go. My knowledge of encryption is almost totally based on my MCP study. So not mandatory, but highly recommended. Sparkie