Training for your CompTIA A+ comprises of 4 specialised sectors – the requirement is exam passes in 2 different areas to be considered A+ competent. This is why, many training establishments only offer two of the four areas. We consider that this isn't enough – sure, you can pass an exam, but experience of all four will give you a distinct advantage in your working life, where you'll need to know about all of them. That's the reason why you require information in all 4 specialities.
Qualifying in CompTIA A+ without additional courses will allow you to fix and maintain stand-alone PC's and MAC's; principally ones that aren't joined to a network – essentially the domestic or small business sector.
It could be a good idea to think about supplementing the A+ with Network + as it will enable you to look after networks of computers, which means greater employment benefits.
Getting into your first IT role can be a little easier if you're offered a Job Placement Assistance service. But don't place too much emphasis on it – it's quite easy for companies marketing departments to overplay it. At the end of the day, the huge shortage of staff in the UK is what will make you attractive to employers.
Help and assistance with preparing a CV and getting interviews should be offered (alternatively, check out one of our sites for help). Make sure you bring your CV right up to date straight away – not when you're ready to start work!
It's not uncommon to find that junior support jobs have been bagged by students who're still on their course and haven't even passed a single exam yet. This will at least get you on your way.
Generally, a local IT focused recruitment consultancy (who will get paid commission to place you) will perform better than any sector of a centralised training facility. They should, of course, also be familiar with the area and local employers better.
Fundamentally, if you put the same amount of effort into getting your first IT position as into studying, you're not going to hit many challenges. Some men and women strangely put hundreds of hours into their learning program and do nothing more once qualified and appear to be under the impression that jobs will come to them.
We're often asked why traditional academic studies are now falling behind more commercially accredited qualifications?
Vendor-based training (in industry terminology) is far more specialised and product-specific. The IT sector has realised that a specialist skill-set is what's needed to cope with an increasingly more technical commercial environment. Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA dominate in this arena.
Clearly, an appropriate degree of associated information has to be taught, but essential specialised knowledge in the exact job role gives a commercially trained person a distinct advantage.
In simple terms: Authorised IT qualifications provide exactly what an employer needs – the title says it all: i.e. I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Windows XP Administration and Configuration'. Therefore companies can look at their needs and what certifications are needed for the job.
Beginning from the idea that it's necessary to locate the area of most interest first and foremost, before we can even weigh up what training course meets that requirement, how can we choose the correct route?
Scanning lists of IT career possibilities is a complete waste of time. The majority of us don't even know what our own family members do for a living – so we're in the dark as to the intricacies of a particular IT career.
The key to answering this dilemma in the best manner stems from a thorough talk over several areas:
* What hobbies you're involved with in your spare-time – often these point towards what areas will give you the most reward.
* Is your focus to obtain training for a particular motive – e.g. are you pushing to work based at home (self-employment possibly?)?
* Any personal or home requirements you have?
* Because there are so many markets to choose from in computing – you will have to achieve some background information on what separates them.
* Our advice is to think deeply about the level of commitment you're going to give to your education.
To be honest, your only option to investigate these matters is through a chat with an advisor or professional that understands Information Technology (as well as it's commercial needs.)
Proper support is incredibly important – find a program offering 24×7 direct access to instructors, as anything else will annoy you and definitely put a damper on the speed you move through things.
Find a good quality service with proper support available 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 a call-centre that will take messages so you're constantly waiting for a call-back – probably during office hours.
Top training providers opt for an internet-based 24×7 service utilising a variety of support centres over many time-zones. You'll have a single, easy-to-use interface which seamlessly selects the best facility available any time of the day or night: Support available as-and-when you want it.
You can't afford to accept less than this. Direct-access 24×7 support is the only viable option with computer-based courses. Maybe burning the midnight-oil is not your thing; usually though, we're out at work when traditional support if offered.
