There are two specialist areas of training in a full CompTIA A+ program; you're qualified as an achiever in A+ once you've passed your exams for both of these areas. Alongside being taught how to build PC's and fix them, students on an A+ training course will be shown how to operate in antistatic conditions, how to fault find, to diagnose and to remotely access problems. Should you be thinking of taking care of computer networks, add the very comprehensive Network+ to the CompTIA A+ training you're doing. This will put you in a position to apply for more interesting jobs. Also look at the Microsoft networking qualifications (MCP, MCSA and MCSE).

The perhaps intimidating chore of getting your first role in IT is often relieved by some training providers because they offer a Job Placement Assistance service. Often, this feature is bigged up too much, as it is genuinely quite straightforward for any motivated and trained individual to land a job in the IT industry - because there's a great need for qualified personnel.

Bring your CV up to date as soon as possible however (advice and support for this should come from your course provider). Don't put it off until you've graduated or passed any exams. It's not uncommon to find that junior support roles have been offered to students who're still on their course and have yet to take their exams. At the very least this will get your CV into the 'possible' pile and not the 'no' pile. If it's important to you to find work near your home, then you'll probably find that a local (but specialised) recruitment consultancy may be of more use than some national concern, as they are much more inclined to know the jobs that are going locally.

Just make sure you don't invest a great deal of time on your training course, then call a halt and imagine someone else is miraculously going to secure your first position. Stand up for yourself and get on with the job. Put as much energy and enthusiasm into landing your first job as it took to get qualified.

We can't make a big enough deal out of this point: Always get full 24x7 instructor and mentor support. You will have so many problems later if you let this one slide. Avoid training courses that only support students via an out-sourced call-centre message system when it's outside of usual working hours. Training companies will defend this with all kinds of excuses. The bottom line is - support is needed when it's needed - not as-and-when it's suitable for their staff.

World-class organisations opt for an online access 24 hours-a-day facility utilising a variety of support centres from around the world. You get a single, easy-to-use interface which seamlessly selects the best facility available irrespective of the time of day: Support when you need it. If you opt for less than online 24x7 support, you'll very quickly realise that you've made a mistake. You may not need it late at night, but what about weekends, evenings and early mornings at some point.

One area often overlooked by new students mulling over a new direction is 'training segmentation'. Basically, this means the breakdown of the materials for timed release to you, which makes a huge difference to how you end up. A release of your materials one stage at a time, according to your own speed is the typical way that your program will arrive. While sounding logical, you should consider these factors: Many students find that the company's usual training route isn't the easiest way for them. You may find that a slightly different order suits them better. Could it cause problems if you don't get everything done within their exact timetable?

To be in the best situation you would have all the training materials sent to you immediately; every single thing! Thus avoiding any future problems that could impede your capability of finishing.

It's essential to have authorised exam simulation and preparation programs as part of your training package. Due to the fact that most examining boards for IT come from the United States, it's essential to understand how exam questions will be phrased and formatted. It's not sufficient merely understanding random questions - it's essential that you can cope with them in the proper exam format. Be sure to request some practice exams in order to verify your knowledge along the way. Practice exams help to build your confidence - then the actual exam is much easier.

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