As you\’re in the process of finding out about courses for MCSE, it\’s possible you\’re in one of two situations: Maybe you\’re thinking of a dynamic move to get into the IT field, and all evidence points to a growing demand for properly qualified people. On the other hand you\’re someone with a certain amount of IT knowledge – and you\’d like to consolidate your skill-set with the MCSE accreditation.

When researching MCSE\’s, you\’ll hit upon training companies that lower their out-goings by failing to provide the latest version from Microsoft. Avoid such training providers as you will face problems at exam time. If you are studying the wrong version, it will make it very difficult to pass.

Avoid businesses who\’re just out to sell you anything. You should be given detailed advice to ensure you are on the right course for you. Don\’t allow yourself to be sold some generic product by some pushy sales person.

A study programme really needs to work up to a nationally (or globally) recognised certification as an end-result – definitely not some \’in-house\’ plaque for your wall.

All the major IT organisations such as Microsoft, Adobe, CompTIA or Cisco each have globally renowned proficiency courses. These big-hitters will make your CV stand-out.

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.

Various junior support jobs have been offered to trainees who are still learning and haven\’t even passed a single exam yet. At the very least this will get your CV into the \’possible\’ pile and not the \’no\’ pile.

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.

Please make sure you don\’t put hundreds of hours of effort into your studies, just to give up and leave it up to everyone else to secure your first position. Stop procrastinating and start looking for yourself. Invest as much time and energy into finding a good job as it took to get qualified.

We\’re often asked why traditional degrees are less in demand than the more commercial qualifications?

Accreditation-based training (to use industry-speak) is most often much more specialised. The IT sector is aware that specialisation is essential to meet the requirements of a technologically complex workplace. CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA dominate in this arena.

This is done through concentrating on the skills that are really needed (together with an appropriate level of related knowledge,) rather than going into the heightened depths of background \’padding\’ that degrees in computing can get bogged down in – to fill a three or four year course.

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 24×7 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.

World-class organisations utilise an online access round-the-clock system combining multiple support operations throughout multiple time-zones. You\’ll have an easy to use environment which accesses the most appropriate office at any time of day or night: Support available as-and-when you want it.

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).

Copyright 2009 S. Edwards. Go to www.INeedANewCareer.co.uk/LINANC.html or HTML Training.

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