Good for you! As you’re reading this article it’s likely you’re thinking about learning new skills to change career – so already you’ve made a start. Only one in ten of us are satisfied with our careers, but no action is ever taken. You could join a select group who take responsibility for their future.
When looking at training, it’s vital that you have in mind what you want and don’t want from the position you’re looking to get into. It’s important to discover if a new career would suit you better before you put a lot of energy into re-directing your life. It’s good sense to regard the big picture first, to make an informed decision:
* Do you hope for interaction with others? If the answer’s yes, would you enjoy being part of a team or are you hoping to meet new people? Maybe you’d rather be left alone to get on with things?
* What elements are you looking for from the industry your job is in? (Things do change – look at the building trade, or banks for example.)
* Is this the final time you envisage re-training, and if so, do you believe this career choice will allow you to do that?
* Do you feel uncomfortable about the chance of finding new employment, and being gainfully employed until you plan to retire?
A predominant industry in the UK that can satisfy a trainee’s demands is the IT sector. There’s a need for more skilled people in this sector, simply have a look at a local job site and you’ll discover what we mean. But don’t think it’s all nerdy people sitting in front ofscreens all day long – there’s a lot more to it than that. The majority of employees in the industry are just like the rest of us, but they enjoy their work and get well paid.
Usually, the normal person doesn’t know in what direction to head in IT, or what area they should be considering getting trained in.
Scanning lists of IT career possibilities is no use whatsoever. The majority of us don’t really appreciate what our next-door neighbours do at work each day – so we have no hope of understanding the subtleties of a specific IT job.
Getting to a well-informed resolution really only appears through a systematic analysis covering many different key points:
* Your personal interests and hobbies – as they can define what areas will give you the most reward.
* Is it your desire to reach a key dream – like working from home as quickly as possible?
* Where is the salary on a scale of importance – is an increase your main motivator, or is day-to-day enjoyment further up on your list of priorities?
* There are many markets to choose from in the IT industry – there’s a need to get some key facts on what sets them apart.
* How much time you’re prepared to spend on the training program.
The best way to avoid all the jargon and confusion, and reveal what’ll really work for you, have an in-depth discussion with an experienced professional; a person who can impart the commercial reality and of course the accreditations.
Kick out the typical salesman that pushes one particular program without a decent chat to gain understanding of your current abilities and also your experience level. Always check they have access to a large array of training so they’re actually equipped to give you an appropriate solution.
Don’t forget, if you’ve got any qualifications that are related, then you will often be able to pick-up at a different starting-point to someone who is new to the field.
Where this will be your first attempt at studying for an IT examination then you should consider whether to start out with some basic Microsoft package and Windows skills first.
How the program is actually delivered to you isn’t always given the appropriate level of importance. How many stages do they break the program into? What is the order and at what speed is it delivered?
Normally, you will join a program that takes between and 1 and 3 years and get posted one section at a time – from one exam to the next. This sounds logical on one level, until you consider this:
What would happen if you didn’t finish each element within the time limits imposed? Often the prescribed exam order won’t be as easy as some other structure would for you.
Truth be told, the best solution is to obtain their recommendation on the best possible order of study, but to receive all the materials up-front. You’re then in possession of everything should you not complete it at their required pace.
Some training providers supply a practical Job Placement Assistance service, to help you into your first commercial role. Sometimes, there is more emphasis than is necessary on this service, as it’s really not that difficult for a well trained and motivated person to get work in the IT industry – because companies everywhere are seeking qualified personnel.
Get your CV updated straight-away though – look to your training company for advice on how to do this. Don’t put it off till you’ve finished your exams.
Various junior support jobs have been bagged by students who are in the process of training and haven’t got any qualifications yet. This will at least get you on your way.
If you’d like to keep travelling time and costs to a minimum, then you may well find that an independent and specialised local employment service can generally serve you better than the trainer’s recruitment division, for they’re far more likely to be familiar with the local job scene.
In a nutshell, if you put as much hard work into landing your first job as into studying, you’re not likely to experience problems. A number of people bizarrely conscientiously work through their learning program and then call a halt once qualified and seem to suppose that interviewers know they’re there.
Author: Scott Edwards. Pop to www.it-training-com.co.uk or This Site.
