If it weren’t for a steady stream of knowledgeable computer and network support staff, commerce in Great Britain (as elsewhere) would be likely to grind to a halt. Therefore, there’s an on-going requirement for people to support both users and the systems they work with. As we are getting progressively dependent on advanced technology, we also emerge as more reliant on the well trained IT professionals, who keep the systems going.
The somewhat scary thought of landing your first computer related job is often relieved by some companies, via a Job Placement Assistance service. Because of the growing shortage of skills in Britain today, there isn’t a great need to get too caught up in this feature though. It’s not as difficult as you may be led to believe to secure a job as long as you’ve got the necessary skills and qualifications.
You would ideally have help and assistance with preparing a CV and getting interviews though; and we’d recommend everybody to get their CV updated as soon as training commences – don’t delay until you’ve graduated or passed any exams. It can happen that you haven’t even passed your first exam when you’ll secure your initial junior support role; yet this is not possible if interviewers don’t get sight of your CV. The most efficient companies to get you a new position are generally local IT focused employment agencies. Because they make their money when they’ve found you a job, they’ll work that much harder to get a result.
Certainly make sure you don’t put hundreds of hours of effort into your studies, just to give up and leave it in the hands of the gods to find you a job. Take responsibility for yourself and make your own enquiries. Put as much focus into securing a good job as you did to gain the skills.
When did you last consider the security of your job? Normally, this issue only becomes a talking point when something dramatic happens to shake us. Unfortunately, The cold truth is that job security simply doesn’t exist anymore, for the vast majority of people. Now, we only experience security via a rapidly increasing marketplace, fuelled by a shortfall of trained staff. This shortage creates the appropriate conditions for market-security – definitely a more pleasing situation.
The computer industry skills shortage around the country falls in at around twenty six percent, according to the 2006 e-Skills investigation. Showing that for every four jobs existing in IT, there are barely three qualified workers to perform that task. This worrying truth reveals the validity and need for more commercially qualified IT professionals throughout the United Kingdom. Undoubtedly, now really is the very best time to consider retraining into the computing industry.
The age-old way of teaching, involving piles of reference textbooks, can be pretty hard going sometimes. If this sounds like you, check out study materials that are on-screen and interactive. Long-term memory is enhanced when we use multiple senses – learning experts have been saying this for years now.
Courses are now available on CD and DVD discs, where everything is taught on your PC. Utilising the latest video technology, you can watch instructors demonstrating how it’s all done, and then have a go at it yourself – in an interactive lab. It’s very important to see the type of training provided by any company that you may want to train through. They have to utilise video, demonstrations and various interactive elements.
Often, companies will only use training that is purely available online; and while this is acceptable much of the time, consider what happens if internet access is lost or you only get very a very slow connection sometimes. A safer solution is the provision of CD and DVD ROM materials which don’t suffer from these broadband issues.
Considering the amount of options that are available, is it any wonder that the majority of newcomers to the industry have no idea which career they will enjoy. Since with no commercial background in computing, in what way could we understand what any job actually involves? Generally, the way to deal with this question in the best manner stems from a deep chat, covering some important points:
* Your personal interests and hobbies – as they can show the things will give you the most reward.
* Do you want to re-train for a certain reason – i.e. is it your goal to work based from home (maybe self-employment?)?
* What priority do you place on job satisfaction vs salary?
* Understanding what typical Information technology areas and sectors are – and what makes them different.
* Taking a serious look at the level of commitment, time and effort that you can put aside.
In these situations, you’ll find the only real way to investigate these issues is via a conversation with an advisor that understands the IT industry (as well as the commercial needs.)
Validated exam preparation packages are vital – and absolutely ought to be supplied by your training supplier. Avoid relying on unauthorised exam preparation questions. The way they’re phrased can be quite different – and this leads to huge confusion when the proper exam time arrives. As you can imagine, it’s very important to know that you’ve thoroughly prepared for the real exam prior to going for it. Going over mock-up exams logs the information in your brain and will avoid you getting frustrated with failed exams.
