Sunday, January 17, 2010

Microsoft MCSA-MCSE Training Providers - Insights

By Jason Kendall

Should you be wanting to study to get an MCSE, it's likely you'll come into one of two categories. You could be about to enter the computer sector, as it's apparent this commercial sector has lots of demand for people with the right qualifications. Or you could be a knowledgeable person wanting to polish up your CV with the Microsoft qualification.

When researching training companies, don't use those that cut costs by not providing the latest version from Microsoft. In the long-run, this will end up costing the student a great deal more because they've been taught from an outdated MCSE course which inevitably will have to be up-dated pretty much straight away.

Don't get bullied into a course without the right advice. Find a training provider that will make sure that you're on an appropriate training track for your requirements.

Consider only retraining programs which will lead to industry accepted accreditations. There's an endless list of small companies pushing their own 'in-house' certificates which are worthless when it comes to finding a job.

You'll find that only recognised certification from companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe and CompTIA will open the doors to employers.

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.

Getting onto the 'maybe' pile of CV's is more than not being known. Many junior positions are offered to students who are still at an early stage in their studies.

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.

Patently, a certain portion of closely linked knowledge must be taught, but essential specifics in the exact job role gives a vendor educated student a huge edge.

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.

Some training providers will only offer support available from 9-6 (office hours) and sometimes later on specific days; not many go late into the evening (after 8-9pm) or cover weekends properly.

Be wary of any training providers which use 'out-of-hours' call-centres - with the call-back coming in during standard office hours. It's not a lot of help when you've got study issues and could do with an answer during your scheduled study period.

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).

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