Because you’re doing your research on courses for MCSE, it’s possible you’re in one of the following categories: You could be considering a dynamic move to get into the IT field, and research demonstrates there’s a great need for properly qualified people. Instead you’re currently an IT professional – and you’d like to consolidate your skill-set with the Microsoft qualification.
When researching MCSE’s, you will notice training companies that compromise their offerings by not providing the latest version from Microsoft. Don’t use this type of college as it will create challenges for you when it comes to exams. If you’re learning from an out-of-date syllabus, it could be impossible to pass.
Providers should be completely focused on offering the correct route for aspiring trainees. Directing learning is equally concerned with helping people to work out which direction to go in, as it is helping to help them get there.
The sometimes daunting task of securing your first computer related job is often made easier by some training providers because they offer a Job Placement Assistance programme. It can happen though that people are too impressed with this facility, as it’s relatively easy for well qualified and focused men and women to get a job in IT – because companies everywhere are seeking well trained people.
CV and Interview advice and support should be offered (if it isn’t, consult one of our sites). Ensure you bring your CV right up to date immediately – don’t leave it till you pass the exams!
It’s not uncommon to find that junior support jobs have been offered to trainees who are in the process of training and haven’t even passed a single exam yet. At the very least this will get your CV into the ‘possible’ pile and not the ‘no’ pile.
Normally you’ll get better results from a local IT focused recruitment consultant or service than you will through a course provider’s centralised service, because they’ll know local industry and the area better.
A constant aggravation of various course providers is how much students are prepared to study to become certified, but how un-prepared they are to work on getting the position they’ve studied for. Don’t give up when the best is yet to come.
A so-called advisor who doesn’t dig around with lots of question – it’s likely they’re actually nothing more than a salesman. If they push a particular product before understanding your background and whether you have any commercial experience, then you know you’re being sold to.
If you’ve got a strong background, or sometimes a little work-based experience (maybe some existing accreditation?) then it’s likely your starting point will be different from someone with no background whatsoever.
It’s usual to start with some basic user skills first. This can often make your learning curve a less steep.
Exam ‘guarantees’ are sometimes offered as part of a training package – inevitably that means paying for the exams before you’ve even made a start on the course. However, prior to embracing the chance of a guarantee, look at the following:
They’ve allowed costings for it ultimately. It’s definitely not free – it’s just been rolled into the price of the whole package.
It’s everybody’s ambition to qualify on the first attempt. Taking your exams progressively in order and funding them one at a time makes it far more likely you’ll pass first time – you take it seriously and are conscious of what you’ve spent.
Does it really add up to pay the training college early for examination fees? Go for the best offer when you’re ready, rather than pay marked up fees – and do it locally – rather than in some remote place.
Paying upfront for exam fees (and if you’re financing your study there’ll be interest on that) is a false economy. Why fill a company’s coffers with your money just to give them more interest! Some will be pinning their hopes on the fact that you won’t get to do them all – but they won’t refund the cash.
Also, ‘Exam Guarantees’ often aren’t worth the paper they’re written on. Most companies will not pay for you to re-take until you have demonstrated conclusively that you won’t fail again.
VUE and Prometric examinations are in the region of 112 pounds in the UK. What’s the point of paying huge fees for ‘exam guarantees’ (often covertly rolled into the cost of the course) – when good quality study materials, the proper support and exam preparation systems and a dose of commitment and effort are what’s required.
It’s essential to have authorised exam simulation and preparation programs included in your course.
Some students can be thrown off course by going through practice questions that aren’t recognised by official sources. Sometimes, the question formats and phraseology can be quite different and you should be prepared for this.
‘Mock’ or practice exams are invaluable in helping you build your confidence – then when the time comes for you to take the real thing, you don’t get phased.
(C) Jason Kendall. Check out LearningLolly.com for intelligent career tips. Click Here or LearningLolly.