There are a range of options on the market for individuals looking to get into working with computers. For assistance in selecting a good match for you, seek out a training provider with assistance to help you to work out which career will match your personality, or at least explain what the job entails, so you can be sure you're on the right track. If you're thinking about improving your computer skills, perhaps with some Microsoft Office skills, or even loftier ambitions, you have lots of courses to choose from.

Currently, there are many versions of simple to follow and competitively priced courses on the market that provide you with a great learning experience.

You should look for an authorised exam preparation system as part of your training package. Because a lot of examination boards in IT are American, you must be prepared for the way exams are phrased. You can't practice properly by merely going through the right questions - they have to be in the same format as the actual exams. Ensure that you check how much you know through tests and practice exams before you take the real deal.

Far too many companies only concern themselves with gaining a certificate, and avoid focusing on what you actually need - which is of course employment. Your focus should start with where you want to get to - too many people focus on the journey. You may train for one year and then end up performing the job-role for decades. Ensure you avoid the fatal error of choosing what sounds like a program of interest to you only to waste your life away with a job you don't like!

You'll want to understand what expectations industry may have of you. Which precise exams they will want you to have and in what way you can gain some industry experience. You should also spend a little time assessing how far you'd like to get as often it can affect your choice of accreditations. It's worth seeking help from an advisor that knows the commercial realities of the sector you're hoping to qualify in, and will be able to provide 'A day in the life of' type of explanation of the job being considered. These things are essential as you'll need to fully understand if this change is right for you.

With so much choice, there's no surprise that a large percentage of trainees balk at what job they should even pursue. Because in the absence of any commercial background in IT, how should we possibly be expected to understand what anyone doing a particular job actually does? Ultimately, the right resolution can only grow from a detailed investigation across many shifting criteria:

* Your personal interests and hobbies - as they can highlight what possibilities will give you the most reward.

* Why you want to consider getting involved with computing - it could be you're looking to conquer a long-held goal like working for yourself maybe.

* What salary and timescale requirements that guide you?

* Some students don't fully understand the energy required to achieve their goals.

* You will need to understand what differentiates each area of training.

The bottom line is, the most intelligent way of checking this all out is by means of a meeting with an advisor or professional who understands the market well enough to give you the information required.

A service offered by some training providers is a programme of Job Placement assistance. This is to assist your search for your first position. However sometimes people are too impressed with this facility, because it is genuinely quite straightforward for a well trained and motivated person to find work in IT - because companies everywhere are seeking trained staff.

Having said that, it's important to have advice and support about your CV and interviews though; and we'd encourage any student to work on polishing up their CV the day they start training - don't delay until you've graduated or passed any exams. Quite often, you'll secure your initial role whilst you're still studying (even in the early stages). If your CV doesn't show your latest training profile (and it isn't in the hands of someone with jobs to offer) then you won't even be considered! You can usually expect better performance from a local IT focused recruitment consultant or service than you'll get from a training course provider's centralised service, as they'll know the area better.

Just make sure you don't spend hundreds of hours on your training and studies, and then do nothing more and imagine someone else is miraculously going to land you a job. Stand up for yourself and make your own enquiries. Invest as much time and energy into getting the right position as it took to pass the exams.