Just ten percent of adults in this country are claiming to be happy in their job. The vast majority of course will take no action. The fact that you’ve got this far at least means that you’re considering or may be ready for a change.
We recommend you seek advice first – find someone who knows the industry; an advisor who can discover your ideal job, and then show you the courses you may be suited to:
* 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 ideas are fundamental with regard to the sector of industry you hope to work in?
* Do you want this to be the only time you’ll have to retrain?
* Would it be useful for the course you’re re-training in to be in an area where you believe your chances of gainful employment are high up to retirement age?
It’s important that you don’t overlook the IT industry – everyone knows that it’s getting bigger. It’s not all nerdy people looking at computer screens all day – it’s true some IT jobs demand that, but most jobs are carried out by people like you and me who are earning rather well.
Starting with the idea that it’s good to home-in on the market that sounds most inviting first and foremost, before we’re even able to contemplate which method of training ticks the right boxes, how can we choose the way that suits us?
Because in the absence of any commercial skills in IT, how could any of us be expected to understand what anyone doing a particular job actually does?
The key to answering this dilemma in the best manner stems from a full conversation around a variety of topics:
* Personality factors plus what interests you – what work-related things you like and dislike.
* Why you want to consider moving into the IT industry – maybe you want to overcome a long-held goal like being your own boss maybe.
* The income requirements you may have?
* Often, trainees don’t consider the amount of work required to get fully certified.
* How much time you’re prepared to spend on the training program.
Ultimately, the best way of checking this all out is via a meeting with a professional that knows the industry well enough to give you the information required.
An advisor that doesn’t ask many questions – it’s likely they’re just a salesperson. If they’re pushing towards a particular product before learning about your history and current experience level, then it’s definitely the case.
With a strong background, or even a touch of work-based experience (some industry qualifications maybe?) then it could be that your starting point will be quite dissimilar from someone who is just starting out.
For those students embarking on IT studies for the first time, it’s often a good idea to start out slowly, kicking off with some basic Microsoft package and Windows skills first. Usually this is packaged with most training programs.
Students often end up having issues because of a single courseware aspect very rarely considered: The method used to ’segment’ the courseware before being delivered to your home.
You may think that it makes sense (with most training taking 1-3 years to gain full certified status,) that a training provider will issue the courseware in stages, as you complete each part. Although:
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.
For future safety and flexibility, it’s not unusual for students to request that all their modules (now paid for) are couriered out in one package, all at the beginning. That means it’s down to you at what speed and in which order you’d like to work.
A useful feature that many training companies provide is a programme of Job Placement assistance. This is designed to steer you into your first IT role. Ultimately it isn’t a complex operation to get a job – as long as you’re correctly trained and certified; because there’s still a great need for IT skills in the UK today.
Nevertheless, don’t wait till you have completed your exams before getting your CV updated. Right at the beginning of your training, list what you’re working on and get promoting!
You’ll often find that you will get your first job whilst still on the course (even in the early stages). If your course details aren’t on your CV (and it hasn’t been posted on jobsites) then you won’t even be considered!
The most efficient companies to help get you placed are usually local IT focused employment agencies. As they’re keen to place you to receive their commission, they’re perhaps more focused on results.
A regular grievance of many course providers is how hard people are focused on studying to become certified, but how un-prepared they are to work on getting the position they’re acquired skills for. Get out there and hustle – you might find it’s fun.
Copyright 2009 Scott Edwards. Visit CLICK HERE or it-training–uk.co.uk.
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