Sunday, August 16, 2009

UK Based Database Courses Simplified

By Jason Kendall

Everybody is busy these days, and generally should we decide to learn a new profession, getting educated at the same time as holding down a job is the only option open to us. Training tracks certified by Microsoft can fill that gap. You might like to find a training advisor, who can give you some ideas on whereabouts in industry would be best, and the kind of tasks that are a good match for someone with your personality. When you've settled on the career path you want, a suitable training program needs to be singled out that's goes with your ability level and skill set. You should expect to be offered a bespoke package for you.

Many training companies offer a Job Placement Assistance program, to help you into your first commercial role. But don't place too much emphasis on it - it isn't unusual for training companies to overplay it. The fact of the matter is, the still growing need for IT personnel in the United Kingdom is why employers will be interested in you.

Help and assistance with preparing a CV and getting interviews should be offered (if not, see one of our sites for help). Make sure you update that dusty old CV immediately - not after you've qualified! Various junior support roles have been bagged by trainees who're still on their course and have still to get qualified. This will at the very least get you on your way. Generally, a specialist independent regional recruitment consultant or service (who will get paid commission to place you) will perform better than any sector of a centralised training facility. It also stands to reason that they'll be familiar with local industry and the area better.

A regular aggravation for many training providers is how hard men and women are prepared to study to get top marks in their exams, but how ill-prepared they are to market themselves for the role they've trained for. Don't falter at the last fence.

Any program that you're going to undertake should always lead to a properly recognised accreditation at the end - and not some unimportant 'in-house' printed certificate to hang in your hallway. All the major IT organisations like Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA or Adobe have internationally approved proficiency programs. These heavyweights will make your CV stand-out.

A ridiculously large number of organisations only look at the plaque to hang on your wall, and avoid focusing on why you're doing this - which is a commercial career or job. You should always begin with where you want to get to - don't get hung-up on the training vehicle. Avoid becoming one of those unfortunate students who choose a training program that sounds really 'interesting' and 'fun' - and end up with a certification for something they'll never enjoy.

Spend some time thinking about earning potential and how ambitious you are. This will influence what particular certifications will be required and what industry will expect from you in return. Seek guidance and advice from an experienced advisor, even if you have to pay - it's much safer and cheaper to discover early on if your choices are appropriate, instead of discovering after 2 years that the job you've chosen is not for you and have to return to the start of another program.

Don't accept anything less than the current Microsoft (or any other key organisation's) authorised exam preparation packages. Sometimes people can get confused by practicing questions for their exams that don't come from official boards. Sometimes, the terminology in the real exams is unfamiliar and it's vital that you know this. Why don't you test your knowledge through tests and practice in simulated exam environments before you take the real thing.

Proper support is incredibly important - look for a package providing 24x7 full access, as not opting for this kind of support could hamper your progress. Always avoid training that only supports you with an out-sourced call-centre message system outside of normal office hours. Training schools will defend this with all kinds of excuses. The simple fact of the matter is - support is needed when it's needed - not when it suits them.

The best training colleges opt for an online round-the-clock facility combining multiple support operations over many time-zones. You're offered an environment that switches seamlessly to the best choice of centres any time of the day or night: Support when you need it. Never make do with anything less. Direct-access 24x7 support is the only kind to make the grade with computer-based study. Maybe burning the midnight-oil is not your thing; often though, we're at work at the time when most support is available.

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