Should you want a job in network support then the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator course is an ideal qualification for you. So if you're just about to get into IT or have previous knowledge but no certificate, a range of courses exist to suit your requirements. To qualify for an MCSA it's necessary to achieve pass marks in four MCP's (Microsoft Certified Professional exams). If you're new to IT, you'll probably need to improve your skill-set before having a go at the 4 MCP's. Find a company that has industry experts who can help you sort out the best way forward for you and who will get you started in the right place.

An advisor that doesn't question you thoroughly - the likelihood is they're actually nothing more than a salesman. If they push a particular product before getting to know your background and whether you have any commercial experience, then you know you're being sold to. An important point to note is that, if you've had any relevant accreditation or direct-experience, then you may be able to pick-up at a different starting-point to a trainee with no history to speak of. If this is your initial effort at studying to take an IT exam then it may be wise to start out with user-skills and software training first.

Several companies have a handy Job Placement Assistance facility, to help you into your first commercial role. The honest truth is that it isn't a complex operation to secure a job - once you're trained and certified; the growing UK skills shortage sees to that.

Work on polishing up your CV right away however - you should get plenty of help from your training provider on this. Don't delay until you've graduated or passed any exams. Getting your CV considered is more than not being regarded at all. A decent number of junior jobs are offered to trainees in the early stages of their course. The top companies to help you find a job are usually local IT focused employment agencies. Because they only get paid when they place you, they have the necessary incentive to try that bit harder.

A regular grievance for various training providers is how much trainees are focused on studying to get qualified, but how un-prepared they are to work on getting the position they've trained for. Have confidence - the IT industry needs YOU.

Traditional teaching in classrooms, using textbooks and whiteboards, is often a huge slog for most of us. If you're nodding as you read this, find training programs that are on-screen and interactive. Studies in learning psychology have shown that long term memory is improved when we use all our senses, and we get practically involved in what we're studying.

Start a study-program in which you'll receive a library of DVD-ROM's - you'll learn by watching video tutorials and demonstrations, with the facility to use virtual lab's to practice your new skills. Every company that you look at should be able to show you a few samples of their courseware. You're looking for evidence of tutorial videos and demonstrations and interactive areas to practice in.

You'll find that many companies will only provide just online versions of their training packages; while you can get away with this much of the time, consider how you'll deal with it if your access to the internet is broken or you get intermittent problems and speed issues. It is usually safer to have CD and DVD ROM materials which removes the issue entirely.

Be on the lookout that any exams you're studying for will be recognised by employers and are current. 'In-house' exams and the certificates they come with are generally useless. To an employer, only the top companies like Microsoft, CompTIA, Adobe or Cisco (for instance) really carry any commercial clout. Anything less just won't hit the right spot.

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