by Jason Kendall
Good for you! As you’re looking at this you’ve doubtless been pondering on retraining for a new career – that means you’ve already taken one more step than the majority. A small minority of us are content with our jobs, but most just moan and do nothing about it. So, why not be one of the few who take responsibility for their future.
We’d strongly advise that before you start any individual training program, you discuss your plans with a person who is familiar with the working environment and can give you advice. They can look at aspects of your personality and help you find your ideal job to train for:
* Do you see yourself dealing with people? Would that be with the same people or with a lot of new people? Perhaps working alone in isolation may be your preference?
* Are you thinking carefully about which industry you maybe could work in? (In this economy, it’s vital to choose carefully.)
* And how many years do you want to get out of your retraining, and can your chosen industry give you the confidence that will happen?
* Do you want your training course to be in a market sector where you know you’ll have a job until your pension kicks in?
The biggest industry in the United Kingdom that fulfils the above criteria is the IT sector. There’s a demand for more qualified people in the industry, simply have a look at a local jobsite and there’ll be a long list. Don’t let people tell you it’s full of techie geeks gazing towards theirscreens all day – there are loads more jobs than that. The majority of employees in the computer industry are just like the rest of us, with jobs they enjoy and better than average salaries.
Trainees hoping to get a career in IT generally have no idea of which path to follow, let alone what sector to build their qualifications around.
Consequently, if you don’t have any background in the IT industry, how are you equipped to know what some particular IT person fills their day with? And of course decide on what educational path is the most likely for your success.
Often, the key to unlocking this question appropriately flows from a full chat, covering several different topics:
* What nature of person you reckon you are – what kind of jobs you get enjoyment from, and conversely – what you hate to do.
* Are you driven to obtain training due to a particular raison d’etre – e.g. is it your goal to work based from home (maybe self-employment?)?
* What are your thoughts on job satisfaction vs salary?
* Always think in-depth about the energy required to achieve their goals.
* What effort, commitment and time you will put into the training program.
To be honest, it’s obvious that the only real way to gain help on these matters is through a chat with an advisor or professional that has years of experience in IT (and chiefly the commercial needs.)
Review the facts below and pay great regard to them if you’re inclined to think the sales ploy of an ‘Exam Guarantee’ sounds great value:
They’ve allowed costings for it by some means. You can be assured it’s not a freebie – they’ve simply charged more for the whole training package.
Evidence shows that when students fund each progressive exam, one at a time, they will be much more likely to pass every time – as they’re aware of their investment in themselves and their application will be greater.
Shouldn’t you be looking to find the best exam deal or offer when you take the exam, not to pay the fees marked up by a training college, and to do it locally – instead of the remote centre that’s convenient only to the trainer?
A great deal of money is netted by a number of companies that take the exam money up-front. For quite legitimate reasons, a number of students don’t get to do their exams and so they pocket the rest. Believe it or not, there are companies around who depend on students not taking their exams – as that’s how they make a lot of their profit.
It’s also worth noting that you should consider what an ‘exam guarantee’ really means. The majority of organisations will not pay for you to re-take until you’ve completely satisfied them that you’re ready this time.
Shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds on an ‘Exam Guarantee’ is foolish – when consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will really see you through.
Most commercial training providers will only provide support available from 9-6 (office hours) and sometimes later on specific days; most won’t answer after 8-9pm at the latest and frequently never at the weekends.
Locate training schools where you can receive help at any time of day or night (no matter if it’s in the middle of the night on a weekend!) Make sure it’s always direct-access to qualified mentors and tutors, and not simply some messaging service that means you’re consistently being held in a queue for a call-back when it’s convenient for them.
If you look properly, you’ll find professional training packages which give students direct-access online support around the clock – including evenings, nights and weekends.
Never ever take second best when it comes to your support. Many would-be IT professionals who give up, are in that situation because of a lack of support.
Many trainers supply a practical Job Placement Assistance facility, to assist your search for your first position. But don’t place too much emphasis on it – it’s quite easy for eager sales people to make too much of it. At the end of the day, the massive skills shortage in the United Kingdom is what will make you attractive to employers.
Help and assistance with preparing a CV and getting interviews might be provided (alternatively, check out one of our sites for help). It’s essential that you update that dusty old CV right away – don’t leave it till you pass the exams!
Having the possibility of an interview is more than not being regarded at all. A decent number of junior positions are bagged by trainees (sometimes when they’ve only just got going.)
If you don’t want to travel too far to work, then it’s quite likely that a specialist locally based employment agency might be more appropriate than some national concern, as they’re far more likely to know what’s available near you.
Various men and women, it would appear, are prepared to study their hearts out (sometimes for years), and just give up when it comes to finding the right position. Market yourself… Work hard to let employers know about you. Don’t think a job’s just going to jump out in front of you.
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