What kind of things might a person searching for Microsoft certified training expect to discover? Obviously, training organisations should be offering a variety of different options that match the needs of Microsoft certified training paths.
Maybe you’d like to look for a person who’s got industry experience, who can give you some ideas on what sort of job would be right for you, and what sort of duties are correct for somebody with your character and ability.
Training programs must be put together to meet your needs. So, once you’ve decided on the best kind of work for you, your next focus is the appropriate training programme to get you there.
Some training companies only provide basic 9am till 6pm support (maybe a little earlier or later on certain days); not many go late into the evening (after 8-9pm) or cover weekends properly.
Locate training schools where you can receive help at any time of the day or night (irrespective of whether it’s the wee hours on Sunday morning!) You want direct access to tutors, and not simply some messaging service that means you’re constantly waiting for a call-back at a convenient time for them.
Be on the lookout for training schools that use several support centres active in different time-zones. These should be integrated to give a single entry point and also round-the-clock access, when you need it, with no fuss.
Never compromise with the quality of your support. Most IT hopefuls that drop-out or fail, are in that situation because they didn’t get the support necessary for them.
One area often overlooked by new students weighing up a particular programme is the issue of ‘training segmentation’. This basically means the breakdown of the materials for delivery to you, which can make a dramatic difference to how you end up.
The majority of training companies will set up a program typically taking 1-3 years, and courier the materials in pieces as you complete each section or exam. Sounds reasonable? Well consider these facts:
What happens when you don’t complete every single section? Maybe the prescribed order won’t suit you? Due to no fault of yours, you mightn’t complete everything fast enough and therefore not end up with all the modules.
To be straight, the best option is to obtain their recommendation on the best possible order of study, but make sure you have all of your learning modules right from the beginning. It’s then all yours if you don’t manage to finish as fast as they’d like.
Always expect authorised exam simulation and preparation programs as part of your course package.
Confirm that your practice exams are not only asking questions from the right areas, but also asking them in the exact format that the real exams will structure them. This can really throw some students if they’re met with completely different formats and phraseologies.
It’s a good idea to ask for exam preparation tools that will allow you to check your understanding at any point. Mock exams log the information in your brain – then the actual exam is much easier.
One feature that many training companies provide is a programme of Job Placement assistance. This is designed to help you find your first job in the industry. The fact of the matter is it’s not as difficult as you may be led to believe to secure the right work – assuming you’re well trained and qualified; because there’s still a great need for IT skills in the UK today.
Nevertheless, don’t procrastinate and wait until you’ve finished your training before bringing your CV up to date. The day you start training, mark down what you’re doing and place it on jobsites!
A good number of junior support jobs have been offered to trainees who’re still on their course and have still to get qualified. At the very least this will get you on your way.
If you’d like to keep travelling time and costs to a minimum, then you may well find that a local (but specialised) recruitment consultancy could work much better for you than some national concern, for they’re going to know the jobs that are going locally.
To bottom line it, as long as you focus the same level of energy into landing a position as into training, you won’t have any problems. A number of students bizarrely spend hundreds of hours on their training course and do nothing more once certified and seem to suppose that interviewers know they’re there.
Written by Scott Edwards. Visit HERE or www.sqlcourse.co.uk.