Congratulations! Reading this subject matter means you’re likely to be contemplating your career, and if it’s new career training you’re deliberating over you’ve even now progressed more than the majority of people will. Can you believe that just one in ten of us are contented at work – but most won’t do a thing about it. Why don’t you break free and move forward – you have the rest of your life to enjoy it.
Prior to considering specific training programs, look for an advisor who will be able to guide you on which area will be right for you. An advisor who will take time to get an understanding of your personality, and discover what type of job will be right for you:
* Is working with other people your thing? Is it meeting new people or being part of a team? Perhaps you prefer not to be disturbed and enjoy responsibilities that you can complete alone?
* What’s important that you get from your chosen industry? (If it’s stability you’re after, you might think twice about banks or the building industry right now.)
* Would you like this to be a one off time that you’ll need to re-qualify?
* Do you believe that retraining in your chosen sector will offer you employment opportunities, and provide the facility to be employed until your pension kicks in?
It’s important that you consider the IT sector – it’s well known that it is one of the few growth sectors. IT isn’t all techie people looking at computer screens the whole time – of course those roles do exist, but the majority of roles are done by people like you and me who are earning rather well.
Many trainers will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance program, to assist your search for your first position. It can happen though that too much is made of this feature, because it’s really not that difficult for a well trained and motivated person to secure work in this industry – as there is such a shortage of well trained people.
CV and Interview advice and support may be available (if it isn’t, consult one of our sites). Be sure to you polish up your CV right away – not after you’ve qualified!
Quite often, you’ll land your first position while still studying (sometimes when you’ve only just got going). If your CV doesn’t say what you’re learning – or it’s not getting in front of interviewers, then you’re not even going to be known about!
The top companies to help you land that job are usually specialist independent regional recruitment consultancies. Because they get paid commission to place you, they’ll work that much harder to get a result.
To bottom line it, as long as you focus the same level of energy into securing a position as into studying, you’re not going to hit many challenges. Some students curiously conscientiously work through their training course and do nothing more once certified and seem to expect employers to find them.
Always expect the most up to date Microsoft (or relevant organisation’s) authorised exam preparation packages.
Students regularly can find themselves confused by trying to prepare themselves with questions that aren’t recognised by the authorised examining boards. Quite often, the way questions are phrased can be completely unlike un-authorised versions and it’s important to prepare yourself for this.
Be sure to ask for testing modules that will allow you to test your understanding along the way. Simulated or practice exams help to build your confidence – so you’re much more at ease with the real thing.
A ridiculously large number of organisations only concern themselves with gaining a certificate, and avoid focusing on what it’s all actually about – getting yourself a new job or career. You should always begin with the end in mind – too many people focus on the journey.
Don’t be part of that group who set off on a track that on the surface appears interesting – and end up with a plaque on the wall for an unrewarding career path.
It’s well worth a long chat to see the exact expectations industry will have. What certifications they will want you to have and how you’ll go about getting some commercial experience. You should also spend a little time thinking about how far you reckon you’re going to want to get as it will often control your selection of accreditations.
Take advice from an experienced industry advisor, even if you have to pay – it’s much safer and cheaper to investigate at the start if your choices are appropriate, rather than realise after several years of study that you aren’t going to enjoy the job you’ve chosen and have to start from the beginning again.
Students who consider this area of study are usually quite practically-minded, and don’t really enjoy classrooms, and slogging through piles of books. If you identify with this, try the newer style of interactive study, where learning is video-based.
Research over recent years has repeatedly verified that getting into our studies physically, is proven to produce longer-lasting and deeper memory retention.
Locate a program where you’ll receive a library of DVD-ROM’s – you’ll begin by watching videos of instructors demonstrating the skills, followed by the chance to use virtual lab’s to practice your new skills.
All companies should be able to show you some examples of the materials provided for study. You’re looking for evidence of tutorial videos and demonstrations and many interactive sections.
Purely on-line training should be avoided. Ideally, you should opt for CD and DVD ROM courseware where offered, as you need to be able to use them whenever it’s convenient for you – and not be totally reliant on a good broadband connection all the time.
(C) 2010 – S. Edwards. Try Dreamweaver Training or www.INeedANewCareer.co.uk/NINANC.html.