Sufficient preparation for 'Cisco' examinations is a weak area with many training providers. If you're working on a Microsoft 'MCSA' or 'MCSE' for example, a handful of old Computers are able to be networked together to allow economical 'dummy-runs' in your own home with real equipment. To build a practise 'Cisco' environment would be extremely expensive, as you'd really have to assemble a lot more computers, with commercial technologies and enterprise-class routers and data-switches. The answer therefore is to utilise Cisco authorised network 'simulators' and 'visualisers'. Such hi tech software systems permit trainees to create substantial 'networks' in a virtual-environment , using on-screen options to pick specific hard-ware products & practice 'interrogation' of data-movement. Software of this nature is exactly what sets training courses apart - it's not a good idea to think about any Cisco package that doesn't encompass it. The hugely reputed RouterSim's CCNA Network-Visualiser is without doubt one of the most effective we have tested, & we incorporate it in all of our CCNA training programs.

Many training companies supply a practical Job Placement Assistance service, to assist your search for your first position. In reality it's not as difficult as you may be led to believe to secure employment - as long as you're correctly trained and certified; the shortage of IT personnel in Britain looks after that.

Having said that, it's important to have advice and support about your CV and interviews though; additionally, we would recommend everyone to bring their CV up to date as soon as training commences - don't put it off for when you're ready to start work. It's not uncommon to find that junior support jobs have been bagged by trainees who are still learning and haven't got any qualifications yet. At the very least this will get you on your way. The most efficient companies to help get you placed are generally independent and specialised local recruitment services. As they will get paid by the employer when they've placed you, they have more incentive to get on with it.

In a nutshell, if you put as much hard work into landing your first IT position as into training, you won't find it too challenging. Some men and women strangely invest a great deal of time on their course materials and do nothing more once certified and seem to suppose that interviewers know they're there.

In amongst the top nominees for the biggest single let-down in the IT training sector is a requirement to attend multiple workshop days. A lot of training companies harp on about the positive points of taking part in these events, it's almost certain though that you'll find them a burden to be carried because of:

- Periodic driving or public transport - hundreds of miles most times.

- Getting time off work - typical companies can only give class availability from Monday to Friday and link several days together. This isn't ideal for most people who work, and this is made worse when travel time is included.

- And let's not forget the lost holiday days. Usually we're lucky to have four weeks vacation allowance. If over 50 percent is used in classes, then we aren't going to be doing much vacationing.

- Classes usually are over-subscribed, leaving us with a slot that doesn't really suit.

- Tension can run high inside the classroom because most students want to move at a pace comfortable for them.

- Soaring travel costs - driving to and from the training premises and of course accommodation over-night can really add up every time you have to go. If you only assumed a basic 5-10 workshops costing around 35 pounds for a single over-night room, plus 40 pounds for petrol and 15.00 for food, that equates to four to nine hundred pounds of extra costs to cover.

- Do you really want any chance of letting yourself be passed-over for a lift up the ladder or wage increases because your employer knows you're retraining.

- It's common to find that, at times, it's uncomfortable to raise questions when surrounded by our fellow trainees - as we don't want to look silly.

- Working away from home - a lot of students find themselves working or living away for certain parts of the programme. Workshops are therefore very difficult then, yet the monies have already been handed over in your initial payment.

Why not watch on-screen and study with teachers one-to-one through ready-made classes, studying them at your convenience - not somebody else's. Training can take place wherever it suits you. If you have a laptop, take in a bit of fresh air outside while you study. Any difficulties and utilise the 24x7 Support. Forget taking notes - every lesson is laid out for you already. Any time you want to repeat something, it's all right there. Whilst this can't completely take away every problem, it definitely makes things easier, simpler and less stressful. You also have reduced travel, costs and hassle.

It's usual for students to get confused with a single courseware aspect which doesn't even occur to them: The way the training is divided into chunks and delivered to your home. Usually, you will purchase a course requiring 1-3 years study and receive one element at a time until graduation. While this may sound logical on one level, consider this: With thought, many trainees understand that their training company's usual training route isn't the easiest way for them. You may find that a slightly different order suits them better. And what if you don't get to the end within their exact timetable?

For future safety and flexibility, it's not unusual for students to make sure that every element of their training is sent immediately, and not in a piecemeal fashion. You can then decide in which order and at what speed you'd like to work.

Any advisor who doesn't question you thoroughly - it's more than likely they're just a salesperson. If they wade straight in with a specific product before learning about your history and whether you have any commercial experience, then you know it's true. If you've got a strong background, or sometimes a little commercial experience (maybe some existing accreditation?) then it's likely your starting point will vary from a student that is completely new to the industry. If you're a student embarking on IT studies from scratch, it can be helpful to start out slowly, by working on a user-skills course first. This can easily be incorporated into most accreditation programs.

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