The somewhat scary thought of landing your first computer related job is often relieved by some companies, via a Job Placement Assistance service. The fact of the matter is it isn't a complex operation to get employment - assuming you're well trained and qualified; employers in this country need your skills.

However, don't leave it until you've finished your training before updating your CV. As soon as you start studying, enter details of your study programme and get promoting! It's not unusual to find that you'll secure your first job while still studying (sometimes when you've only just got going). If your CV doesn't say what you're learning (and it hasn't been posted on jobsites) then you're not even going to be known about! If you'd like to get employment in your home town, then you may well find that a local IT focused recruitment consultancy may work much better for you than a centralised service, as they're far more likely to have insider knowledge of what's available near you.

A regular aggravation for many training course providers is how hard students are prepared to work to get qualified, but how little effort that student will then put into getting the position they're qualified for. Have confidence - the IT industry needs YOU.

It's essential to have the most up to date Microsoft (or relevant organisation's) authorised simulation materials and exam preparation packages. Confirm that the practice exams are not just posing the correct questions from the right areas, but ask them in the exact format that the real exams will ask them. It completely unsettles trainees if the questions are phrased in unfamiliar formats. Simulated exams can be enormously valuable for confidence building - so much so, that at your actual exams, you will be much more relaxed.

An advisor that doesn't question you thoroughly - the likelihood is they're really a salesperson. If they're pushing towards a particular product before learning about your history and current experience level, then you know you're being sold to. Don't forget, if you've had any relevant qualifications that are related, then you can sometimes expect to start at a different point than someone new to the industry. If this is your initial crack at IT study then you should consider whether to practice with some basic Microsoft package and Windows skills first.

'Exam Guarantees' are often bundled with training offers - this always means exams have to be paid for upfront, at the very beginning of your studies. But before you get taken in by guaranteed exams, be aware of the facts:

These days, we tend to be a little more 'marketing-savvy' - and most of us cotton on to the fact that we're actually paying for it - it's not because they're so generous they want to give something away! The fact is that when trainees fund their own exams, at the time of taking them, there's a much better chance they'll pass first time - because they'll think of what they've paid and their application will be greater.

Take your exams somewhere close to home and go for the best offer you can find when you're ready. Paying upfront for exam fees (and if you're financing your study there'll be interest on that) is insane. Don't line companies bank accounts with your hard-earned cash just to give them a good cash-flow! There are those who hope that you won't get to do them all - then they'll keep the extra money. Most companies will insist on pre-tests and prohibit you from re-taking an exam until you've demonstrated an excellent ability to pass - making an 'exam guarantee' just about worthless.

With the average price of Pro-metric and VUE examinations coming in at approximately 112 pounds in Great Britain, it makes sense to pay as you go. It's not in the student's interests to fork out hundreds or thousands of pounds for exams when enrolling on a course. Commitment, effort and practice with quality exam preparation systems are the factors that really get you through.

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