Should you be looking for certified training from Microsoft, it stands to reason you'll want training companies to supply a wide selection of some of the top training courses to be had. It's advisable to consider all the options with a person who is on familiar terms with the IT industry, and has the ability to guide you towards the most appropriate area to go with your personal characteristics. Once you've decided on the job you'd like to get into, a suitable training program must be picked that's goes with your skills and abilities. This should be personalised for your requirements.

Consider the following points carefully if you're inclined to think that old marketing ploy of an 'Exam Guarantee' sounds great value:

It's very clear we're still being charged for it - it's not so hard to see that it's been inserted into the full cost of the package supplied by the training company. It's certainly not free (it's just marketing companies think we'll fall for anything they say!) It's well known in the industry that if students pay for their own exams, one at a time, they'll be in a better position to get through on the first attempt - since they are conscious of the cost and therefore will put more effort into their preparation.

Do your exams somewhere local and don't pay up-front, but seek out the best deal for you when you're ready. Why tie up your cash (or borrow more than you need) for exams when you don't need to? A lot of profit is made because training colleges are charging upfront for all their exams - and hoping either that you won't take them, or it will be a long time before you do. Also, 'Exam Guarantees' often aren't worth the paper they're written on. The majority of organisations will not pay again for an exam until you're able to demonstrate an excellent mock pass rate.

Splashing out often many hundreds of pounds extra on an 'Exam Guarantee' is short-sighted - when hard work, commitment and the right preparation via exam simulations is what will really see you through.

Quite often, students have issues with one aspect of their training usually not even thought about: How the training is broken down and physically delivered to you. Training companies will normally offer a program spread over 1-3 years, and send out each piece as you complete each section or exam. This sounds reasonable until you consider the following: How would they react if you didn't complete each and every exam within the time limits imposed? And maybe you'll find their order of completion doesn't come as naturally as some other structure would for you.

For future safety and flexibility, it's normal for most trainees to make sure that every element of their training is delivered immediately, and not in stages. It's then your own choice how fast or slow and in what order you'd like to take your exams.

The perhaps intimidating chore of securing your first role in IT is often eased because some trainers offer a Job Placement Assistance facility. With the huge skills shortage in the UK at the moment, it's not too important to make too much of this option though. It isn't such a complex operation to find your first job once you're well trained and qualified.

Having said that, it's important to have help with your CV and interview techniques though; additionally, we would recommend everybody to update their CV right at the beginning of their training - don't delay for when you're ready to start work. It can happen that you haven't even passed your first exam when you land your first junior support role; however this can't and won't happen if your CV isn't in front of employers. If you don't want to travel too far to work, then you'll often find that a specialist independent regional recruitment consultant or service could be of more use than a centralised service, as they're going to have insider knowledge of local employment needs.

A common aggravation for some training providers is how much trainees are focused on studying to get top marks in their exams, but how un-prepared they are to work on getting the role they're trained for. Get out there and hustle - you might find it's fun.

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