If we didn’t have a continuous flood of trained PC and network support personnel, commerce in the United Kingdom (along with most other places) would be likely to run into problems. Consequently, there’s a constantly increasing requirement for technicians to support both users and the systems they work with. Our desire for such skilled and qualified members of the workforce is growing at an impressive rate, as everywhere we work becomes more and more dependent upon technology.

With all the options available, does it really shock us that a large percentage of newcomers to the industry don’t really understand the best career path they could be successful with.

Reading a list of IT job-titles is no use whatsoever. Most of us have no idea what our next-door neighbours do at work each day – so what chance do we have in understanding the complexities of a new IT role.

Ultimately, the right conclusion can only grow from a detailed examination covering many varying key points:

* What hobbies you’re involved with in your spare-time – as they can highlight what possibilities will satisfy you.

* For what reasons you’re stepping into computing – it could be you’re looking to achieve a life-long goal like being self-employed maybe.

* What salary and timescale needs that guide you?

* Understanding what the normal job roles and markets are – and what differentiates them.

* The level of commitment and effort you’ll have available to spend on obtaining your certification.

For the average person, considering so much data requires a good chat with someone that can investigate each area with you. And we don’t just mean the accreditations – but also the commercial requirements and expectations of industry too.

Accredited exam simulation and preparation software is essential – and absolutely ought to be obtained from your training supplier.

Ensure that the simulated exams aren’t just asking you the right questions on the correct subjects, but ask them in the way that the actual final exam will phrase them. This can really throw some trainees if they’re met with completely different formats and phraseologies.

Mock exams will prove very useful for confidence building – so when it comes to taking the real thing, you don’t get phased.

A knowledgeable and specialised advisor (in contrast with a salesperson) will talk through your current situation. There is no other way of establishing the starting point for your education.

Where you have a strong background, or even a touch of work-based experience (maybe some existing accreditation?) then obviously the level you’ll need to start at will be very different from a trainee who has no experience.

For students starting IT studies and exams as a new venture, it’s often a good idea to avoid jumping in at the deep-end, beginning with some basic user skills first. This can be built into most training packages.

A sneaky way that training companies make more money is through up-front charges for exams and offering an exam guarantee. It looks impressive, until you think it through:

Everybody’s aware that they’re still being charged for it – it’s quite obvious to see that it’s already in the overall figure from the training company. It’s absolutely not free – don’t think these companies are so generous with their money!

Qualifying on the first ‘go’ is what everyone wants to do. Going for exams in order and paying as you go has a marked effect on pass-rates – you prepare appropriately and are mindful of the investment you’ve made.

Sit the exam at a local pro-metric testing centre and don’t pay up-front, but seek out the best deal for you when you’re ready.

Paying upfront for exams (and interest charges if you’re borrowing money) is a false economy. Resist being talked into filling the training company’s account with your hard-earned cash simply to help their cash-flow! A lot bank on the fact that you won’t get to do them all – then they’ll keep the extra money.

It’s also worth noting that ‘Exam Guarantees’ often aren’t worth the paper they’re written on. Most companies won’t pay for re-takes until you have demonstrated conclusively that you won’t fail again.

Paying maybe a thousand pounds extra on an ‘Exam Guarantee’ is naive – when consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will really guarantee success.

Sometimes trainees assume that the tech college or university track is still the most effective. So why are commercial certificates slowly and steadily replacing it?

The IT sector now recognises that to learn the appropriate commercial skills, the right accreditation from such organisations as Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe most often has much more specialised relevance – for much less time and money.

Clearly, an appropriate degree of associated information has to be learned, but core specialisation in the areas needed gives a commercially trained person a distinct advantage.

It’s a bit like the TV advert: ‘It does what it says on the tin’. All an employer has to do is know where they have gaps, and then advertise for someone with the specific certification. They’ll know then that all applicants can do what they need.

(C) Jason Kendall. Pop to LearningLolly.com for superb ideas on Comptia Network+ Courses and Computer Networking Course.