Everybody is busy these days, and generally should we decide to learn a new profession, getting educated at the same time as holding down a job is the only option open to us. Training tracks certified by Microsoft can fill that gap. You might like to find a training advisor, who can give you some ideas on whereabouts in industry would be best, and the kind of tasks that are a good match for someone with your personality. When you've settled on the career path you want, a suitable training program needs to be singled out that's goes with your ability level and skill set. You should expect to be offered a bespoke package for you.
Many training companies offer a Job Placement Assistance program, to help you into your first commercial role. But don't place too much emphasis on it - it isn't unusual for training companies to overplay it. The fact of the matter is, the still growing need for IT personnel in the United Kingdom is why employers will be interested in you.
However, what is relevant is to have help and assistance with preparing a CV and getting interviews though; also we would encourage any student to get their CV updated the day they start training - don't delay till you've finished your exams. Getting your CV considered is better than being rejected. Often junior positions are given to people (who've only just left first base.) You can usually expect better performance from a specialist locally based employment agency than you'll get from a training company's national service, because they will understand the local industry and employment needs.
To bottom line it, as long as you focus the same level of energy into finding your first IT position as into studying, you're not going to hit many challenges. A number of people inexplicably put hundreds of hours into their training course and do nothing more once certified and would appear to think that businesses will just discover them.
Ensure all your exams are current and commercially required - you're wasting your time with programs which end up with a useless in-house certificate or plaque. Unless your qualification is issued by a company like Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA or Adobe, then chances are it won't be commercially viable - because it won't give an employer any directly-useable skills.
A ridiculously large number of organisations only look at the plaque to hang on your wall, and avoid focusing on why you're doing this - which is a commercial career or job. You should always begin with where you want to get to - don't get hung-up on the training vehicle. Avoid becoming one of those unfortunate students who choose a training program that sounds really 'interesting' and 'fun' - and end up with a certification for something they'll never enjoy.
Stay focused on what it is you're trying to achieve, and build your study action-plan from that - don't do it the other way round. Stay on target and begin studying for a job you'll still be enjoying many years from now. Your likely to need help from someone that knows the commercial realities of the sector you're considering, and who can offer 'A day in the life of' synopsis for that career-path. These things are incredibly important as you'll need to fully understand if this change is right for you.
Don't accept anything less than the current Microsoft (or any other key organisation's) authorised exam preparation packages. Sometimes people can get confused by practicing questions for their exams that don't come from official boards. Sometimes, the terminology in the real exams is unfamiliar and it's vital that you know this. Why don't you test your knowledge through tests and practice in simulated exam environments before you take the real thing.
Proper support is incredibly important - look for a package providing 24x7 full access, as not opting for this kind of support could hamper your progress. Always avoid training that only supports you with an out-sourced call-centre message system outside of normal office hours. Training schools will defend this with all kinds of excuses. The simple fact of the matter is - support is needed when it's needed - not when it suits them.
If you look properly, you'll find professional companies which give students online support 24x7 - including evenings, nights and weekends. Never ever take second best where support is concerned. Many trainees who fall by the wayside, are in that situation because of a lack of support.
Many training companies offer a Job Placement Assistance program, to help you into your first commercial role. But don't place too much emphasis on it - it isn't unusual for training companies to overplay it. The fact of the matter is, the still growing need for IT personnel in the United Kingdom is why employers will be interested in you.
However, what is relevant is to have help and assistance with preparing a CV and getting interviews though; also we would encourage any student to get their CV updated the day they start training - don't delay till you've finished your exams. Getting your CV considered is better than being rejected. Often junior positions are given to people (who've only just left first base.) You can usually expect better performance from a specialist locally based employment agency than you'll get from a training company's national service, because they will understand the local industry and employment needs.
To bottom line it, as long as you focus the same level of energy into finding your first IT position as into studying, you're not going to hit many challenges. A number of people inexplicably put hundreds of hours into their training course and do nothing more once certified and would appear to think that businesses will just discover them.
Ensure all your exams are current and commercially required - you're wasting your time with programs which end up with a useless in-house certificate or plaque. Unless your qualification is issued by a company like Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA or Adobe, then chances are it won't be commercially viable - because it won't give an employer any directly-useable skills.
A ridiculously large number of organisations only look at the plaque to hang on your wall, and avoid focusing on why you're doing this - which is a commercial career or job. You should always begin with where you want to get to - don't get hung-up on the training vehicle. Avoid becoming one of those unfortunate students who choose a training program that sounds really 'interesting' and 'fun' - and end up with a certification for something they'll never enjoy.
Stay focused on what it is you're trying to achieve, and build your study action-plan from that - don't do it the other way round. Stay on target and begin studying for a job you'll still be enjoying many years from now. Your likely to need help from someone that knows the commercial realities of the sector you're considering, and who can offer 'A day in the life of' synopsis for that career-path. These things are incredibly important as you'll need to fully understand if this change is right for you.
Don't accept anything less than the current Microsoft (or any other key organisation's) authorised exam preparation packages. Sometimes people can get confused by practicing questions for their exams that don't come from official boards. Sometimes, the terminology in the real exams is unfamiliar and it's vital that you know this. Why don't you test your knowledge through tests and practice in simulated exam environments before you take the real thing.
Proper support is incredibly important - look for a package providing 24x7 full access, as not opting for this kind of support could hamper your progress. Always avoid training that only supports you with an out-sourced call-centre message system outside of normal office hours. Training schools will defend this with all kinds of excuses. The simple fact of the matter is - support is needed when it's needed - not when it suits them.
If you look properly, you'll find professional companies which give students online support 24x7 - including evenings, nights and weekends. Never ever take second best where support is concerned. Many trainees who fall by the wayside, are in that situation because of a lack of support.
About the Author:
(C) Jason Kendall. Navigate to LearningLolly.com for superb career advice on Database Courses and SQL Courses.
