If searching for Microsoft authorised training, you'll obviously be expecting training organisations to provide a large selection of the finest training courses available today. Maybe you'd choose to talk about career options with an industry expert - and if you're uncertain, then get some ideas on what kind of IT job would be best, based on your personality and ability level. Having selected the job you'd like to get into, an applicable training course has to be singled out that's suits your skills and abilities. Make sure it's well designed for your requirements.

A lot of men and women assume that the school and FE college track is the way they should go. Why then are commercially accredited qualifications beginning to overtake it? With an ever-increasing technical demand on resources, the IT sector has been required to move to the specialised core-skills learning that can only be obtained from the actual vendors - for example companies such as Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe. This usually turns out to involve less time and financial outlay. In essence, only required knowledge is taught. Actually, it's not quite as pared down as that, but the most important function is always to cover the precise skills needed (alongside some required background) - without overdoing the detail in all sorts of other things (as academia often does).

If an employer knows what work they need doing, then they simply need to advertise for the particular skill-set required. Syllabuses are all based on the same criteria and don't change between schools (in the way that degree courses can).

Usually, the everyday IT hopeful doesn't know what way to go about starting in IT, or even what area they should look at getting trained in. Reading long lists of different and confusing job titles is next to useless. The majority of us don't even know what the neighbours do for a living - so we have no hope of understanding the complexities of a particular IT career. Generally, the way to deal with this predicament correctly lies in an in-depth talk over a number of areas:

* What hobbies you have and enjoy - these can define what possibilities will provide a happy working life.

* Is your focus to get certified because of a particular reason - for example, do you aim to work at home (self-employment?)?

* Is salary further up on your priority-list than anything else.

* Because there are so many ways to train in the IT industry - there's a need to gain a basic understanding of what sets them apart.

* Taking a cold, hard look at what commitment and time you'll make available.

When all is said and done, your only chance of checking this all out is through an in-depth discussion with an experienced advisor who has enough background to provide solid advice.

Several companies have a handy Job Placement Assistance facility, to assist your search for your first position. Often, there is more emphasis than is necessary on this service, as it's really not that difficult for any focused and well taught person to land a job in this industry - as there is such a shortage of qualified personnel.

You would ideally have help with your CV and interview techniques though; and we'd encourage all students to update their CV the day they start training - don't delay till you've finished your exams. It's not unusual to find that you'll land your first role while still studying (even in the early stages). If your CV doesn't show your latest training profile (and it isn't in the hands of someone with jobs to offer) then you don't stand a chance! Most often, a specialist independent regional employment agency (who will, of course, be keen to place you to receive their commission) is going to give you a better service than a sector of a centralised training facility. They should, of course, also be familiar with the local area and commercial needs.

A common frustration of some course providers is how hard students are prepared to work to get top marks in their exams, but how little effort that student will then put into getting the job they're trained for. Get out there and hustle - you might find it's fun.

Review the following points in detail if you're inclined to think the sales ploy of examination guarantees seems like a good idea:

Everyone knows they're still paying for it - it's obviously already been included in the overall figure from the course provider. It's definitely not free (it's just marketing companies think we'll fall for anything they say!) Trainees who enter their exams one by one, funding them as they go are in a much stronger position to qualify at the first attempt. They are mindful of what they've paid and so are more inclined to be ready for the task.

Does it really add up to pay your training college up-front for examinations? Find the best deal you can when you take the exam, rather than pay marked up fees - and do it in a local testing centre - not at somewhere of their bidding. Why tie up your cash (or borrow more than you need) for examinations when you don't need to? A lot of profit is made by companies getting paid upfront for exams - and then hoping that you won't take them all. Additionally, 'Exam Guarantees' often aren't worth the paper they're written on. Most companies won't pay for you to re-take until you've completely satisfied them that you're ready this time.

Splashing out often many hundreds of pounds extra on an 'Exam Guarantee' is remiss - when study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is actually the key to your success.

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