Are you toying with the idea of doing an MCSE? It's very possible then that it's likely you'll come into one of two categories: You're currently an IT professional and you'd like to gain accreditation with the Microsoft qualification. Alternatively you might be just about to enter the IT environment, and you've found that there are many opportunities for certified networking professionals.
When looking into training companies, make sure you steer clear of those who cut costs by failing to use the most up-to-date Microsoft version. Such institutions will hold back the student as they will have been learning from the wrong MCSE version which doesn't match the present exams, so it could be impossible for them to pass.
Don't get bullied into a course without the right advice. Find a training provider that will make sure that you're on an appropriate training track for your requirements.
Consider only retraining programs which will lead to industry accepted accreditations. There's an endless list of small companies pushing their own 'in-house' certificates which are worthless when it comes to finding a job.
You'll find that only recognised certification from companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe and CompTIA will open the doors to employers.
Many trainers will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance facility, to assist your search for your first position. However sometimes people are too impressed with this facility, for it is genuinely quite straightforward for any focused and well taught person to get a job in IT - as there is such a shortage of qualified personnel.
Update your CV at the beginning of your training though - look to your training company for advice on how to do this. Don't procrastinate and leave it for when you're ready to start work.
Getting onto the 'maybe' pile of CV's is more than not being known. Many junior positions are offered to students who are still at an early stage in their studies.
Generally, a specialist locally based employment service (who will get paid commission to place you) will perform better than any division of a training company. They should, of course, also know the local industry and employment needs.
To bottom line it, if you put the same amount of effort into securing your first job as into training, you won't find it too challenging. Some people bizarrely spend hundreds of hours on their training and studies and do nothing more once they've passed their exams and seem to expect employers to find them.
Commercial certification is now, without a doubt, taking over from the traditional academic paths into the IT sector - but why should this be?
Industry is of the opinion that for an understanding of the relevant skills, certified accreditation supplied for example by Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe most often has much more specialised relevance - and a fraction of the cost and time.
Patently, a certain portion of closely linked knowledge must be taught, but essential specifics in the exact job role gives a vendor educated student a huge edge.
Imagine if you were an employer - and you required somebody who had very specific skills. Which is the most straightforward: Wade your way through reams of different degrees and college qualifications from several applicants, asking for course details and what commercial skills they've mastered, or choose a specific set of accreditations that exactly fulfil your criteria, and then choose your interviewees based around that. You'll then be able to concentrate on getting a feel for the person at interview - rather than establishing whether they can do a specific task.
One thing you must always insist on is 24x7 round-the-clock support via professional mentors and instructors. So many companies we come across will only offer a basic 9am till 6pm support period (maybe later on certain days) with very little availability over the weekend.
Don't buy study programmes that only provide support to trainees via a message system when it's outside of usual working hours. Training organisations will give you every excuse in the book why you don't need this. Essentially - support is required when it's required - not as-and-when it's suitable for their staff.
As long as you look hard, you will find professional training packages that provide their students online support around the clock - no matter what time of day it is.
Don't accept second best when you're looking for the right support service. Most IT hopefuls who throw in the towel, are in that situation because of support (or the lack of).
When looking into training companies, make sure you steer clear of those who cut costs by failing to use the most up-to-date Microsoft version. Such institutions will hold back the student as they will have been learning from the wrong MCSE version which doesn't match the present exams, so it could be impossible for them to pass.
Don't get bullied into a course without the right advice. Find a training provider that will make sure that you're on an appropriate training track for your requirements.
Consider only retraining programs which will lead to industry accepted accreditations. There's an endless list of small companies pushing their own 'in-house' certificates which are worthless when it comes to finding a job.
You'll find that only recognised certification from companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe and CompTIA will open the doors to employers.
Many trainers will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance facility, to assist your search for your first position. However sometimes people are too impressed with this facility, for it is genuinely quite straightforward for any focused and well taught person to get a job in IT - as there is such a shortage of qualified personnel.
Update your CV at the beginning of your training though - look to your training company for advice on how to do this. Don't procrastinate and leave it for when you're ready to start work.
Getting onto the 'maybe' pile of CV's is more than not being known. Many junior positions are offered to students who are still at an early stage in their studies.
Generally, a specialist locally based employment service (who will get paid commission to place you) will perform better than any division of a training company. They should, of course, also know the local industry and employment needs.
To bottom line it, if you put the same amount of effort into securing your first job as into training, you won't find it too challenging. Some people bizarrely spend hundreds of hours on their training and studies and do nothing more once they've passed their exams and seem to expect employers to find them.
Commercial certification is now, without a doubt, taking over from the traditional academic paths into the IT sector - but why should this be?
Industry is of the opinion that for an understanding of the relevant skills, certified accreditation supplied for example by Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe most often has much more specialised relevance - and a fraction of the cost and time.
Patently, a certain portion of closely linked knowledge must be taught, but essential specifics in the exact job role gives a vendor educated student a huge edge.
Imagine if you were an employer - and you required somebody who had very specific skills. Which is the most straightforward: Wade your way through reams of different degrees and college qualifications from several applicants, asking for course details and what commercial skills they've mastered, or choose a specific set of accreditations that exactly fulfil your criteria, and then choose your interviewees based around that. You'll then be able to concentrate on getting a feel for the person at interview - rather than establishing whether they can do a specific task.
One thing you must always insist on is 24x7 round-the-clock support via professional mentors and instructors. So many companies we come across will only offer a basic 9am till 6pm support period (maybe later on certain days) with very little availability over the weekend.
Don't buy study programmes that only provide support to trainees via a message system when it's outside of usual working hours. Training organisations will give you every excuse in the book why you don't need this. Essentially - support is required when it's required - not as-and-when it's suitable for their staff.
As long as you look hard, you will find professional training packages that provide their students online support around the clock - no matter what time of day it is.
Don't accept second best when you're looking for the right support service. Most IT hopefuls who throw in the towel, are in that situation because of support (or the lack of).
About the Author:
(C) 2009 S. Edwards. Pop to Learning HTML or www.MidLifeCareerChange.co.uk/LMLCC.html.
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