One feature offered by some training providers is job placement assistance. The service is put in place to assist your search for your first position. It can happen though that there is more emphasis than is necessary on this service, as it is actually not that hard for a well trained and motivated person to get a job in the IT industry - because there's a great need for qualified personnel.

Get your CV updated straight-away though (advice and support for this should come from your course provider). Don't delay until you've qualified. Various junior support jobs are offered to people who are in the process of training and have still to get qualified. At least this will get you on your way. Actually, a specialist independent regional recruitment consultancy (who will get paid by the employer when they've placed you) is going to give you a better service than a centralised training company's service. Also of course they should know the area and local employers better.

A good number of trainees, so it seems, put a great deal of effort into their studies (for years sometimes), and then just stop instead of trying to get the right position. Introduce yourself... Make an effort to let employers know about you. Don't think a job's just going to jump out in front of you.

A sneaky way that training companies make a big mark-up is via an 'exam inclusive' package and offering an exam guarantee. This looks like a great idea for the student, till you look at the facts:

It's become essential these days that we have to be a little bit more aware of sales ploys - and usually we know that for sure it is something we're paying for - it's not because they're so generous they want to give something away! If it's important to you to qualify first 'go', you must pay for one exam at a time, give it the priority it deserves and be ready for the task.

Take your exams somewhere close to home and find the best deal for you at the time. A lot of unscrupulous training companies make huge profits because they're getting paid for examinations upfront and hoping you won't see them all through. It's worth noting that exam re-takes with training companies who offer an 'Exam Guarantee' are monitored with tight restrictions. You will be required to do mock exams till you've proven conclusively that you can pass.

On average, exams cost approximately 112 pounds in the last 12 months when taken at local VUE or Pro-metric centres throughout the country. So why pay hundreds or thousands of pounds extra to get 'Exam Guarantees', when it's no secret that the best guarantee is consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software.

Authorised exam preparation and simulation materials are a must - and should definitely be supplied by your training company. Make sure that the mock exams are not only asking questions in the right areas, but are also posing them in the same way that the proper exam will pose them. This can really throw some trainees if the phraseology and format is completely different. A way to build self-confidence is if you test whether you're learning enough by doing quizzes and simulated exams before you take the real thing.

For the 'A+' examinations set aside for yourself around 100 to 150 hrs to train and prepare, & somewhat less for the Network+ exams (perhaps around 100 hours). Using the correct multimedia training package that is supported by accredited examination preparation software, the two qualifications could very well be achieved inside 6 months for the trainee who is studying around a job.

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