Considering an MCSE? If so, it's probable that you're in one of two situations: You are a knowledgeable person and you'd like to gain accreditation with the Microsoft qualification. Instead you could be completely new to commercial IT, and you've discovered that there are many opportunities for men and women who are commercially qualified.

When looking into training companies, be sure to don't use those that short-change you by not upgrading their courses to the most up-to-date Microsoft version. This is a false economy for the student their knowledge will be of an out-of-date syllabus which doesn't correspond to the current exam syllabus, so it's likely they'll fail. Steer clear of providers who're just out to sell you anything. Ask for comprehensive, personal guidance to be sure you're registering on the correct course. Resist being forced into their standard course by an inadequate outfit.

Think about the facts below and pay great regard to them if you believe the sales ploy of a guarantee for your exam looks like a reason to buy:

Everyone knows they're still paying for it - it's quite obvious to see that it's been added into the full cost of the package supplied by the training provider. It's certainly not free - don't think these companies are so generous with their money! Evidence shows that if a student pays for their relevant examinations, at the time of taking them, they will be much more likely to get through on the first attempt - as they'll be conscious of their investment in themselves and their application will be greater.

Why pay your training college in advance for exam fees? Find the best deal you can when you take the exam, rather than coughing up months or even a year or two in advance - and sit exams more locally - rather than in some remote place. Including money in your training package for exams (plus interest - if you're financing your study) is bad financial management. Resist being talked into filling the training company's account with your money simply to help their cash-flow! Many will hope you won't get to do them all - so they don't need to pay for them. Don't forget, with the majority of Exam Guarantees - the company decides when you can do your re-takes. You will have to demonstrate an excellent pass-rate before they'll approve a re-take.

Due to typical VUE and Prometric examinations coming in at approximately 112 pounds in Great Britain, it makes sense to pay as you go. Not to fork out thousands extra in up-front costs. Commitment, effort and practice with quality exam preparation systems are the factors that really get you through.

Many training companies offer a Job Placement Assistance service, to help you into your first commercial role. Because of the growing skills shortage in the UK today, it's not necessary to get too caught up in this feature though. It's actually not as hard as some people make out to find your first job as long as you're correctly trained and certified.

One important thing though, don't leave it until you've qualified before bringing your CV up to date. As soon as your training commences, mark down what you're doing and get it out there! A good number of junior support jobs have been offered to trainees who are in the process of training and have still to get qualified. At the very least this will get you into the 'maybe' pile of CV's - rather than the 'No' pile. If it's important to you to find work near your home, then you'll probably find that a specialist independent regional recruitment consultant or service might work much better for you than a centralised service, because they are much more inclined to have insider knowledge of what's available near you.

Certainly ensure you don't conscientiously work through your course materials, then call a halt and leave it up to everyone else to find you a job. Stop procrastinating and get out there. Put the same focus into getting the right position as you did to gain the skills.

Each programme of learning has to build towards a nationally (or globally) recognised accreditation as an end-result - definitely not some 'in-house' plaque for your wall. From a commercial standpoint, only the major heavyweights such as Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco or CompTIA (for example) will get you short-listed. Nothing else will cut the mustard.

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