There are two A+ exams and study sections, and your requirement is to pass both of them for qualification purposes. As well as learning how to build PC's and fix them, students of A+ will learn how to operate in antistatic conditions, how to fault find, to diagnose and to remotely access problems. Were you to add Network+ training to your A+, you'll also learn how to look after networks, allowing you to apply for more senior positions.

Commercial certification is now, most definitely, taking over from the traditional routes into the IT industry - so why is this happening? As we require increasingly more effective technological know-how, industry has had to move to specific, honed-in training that can only come from the vendors - namely companies such as Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA. Often this saves time and money for the student. This is done by concentrating on the actual skills required (together with an appropriate level of associated knowledge,) as opposed to trawling through all the background 'extras' that computer Science Degrees are prone to get tied up in - to fill a three or four year course.

As long as an employer understands what work they need doing, then all they have to do is advertise for someone with a specific qualification. Syllabuses are all based on the same criteria and aren't allowed to deviate (like academia frequently can and does).

It can be a nerve-racking task, but landing your first IT job is often made easier by some training providers because they offer a Job Placement Assistance service. The need for this feature can be bigged up out of proportion though - it's easy for companies marketing departments to overplay it. The fact of the matter is, the still growing need for IT personnel in Great Britain is why employers will be interested in you.

Help with your CV and interview techniques is sometimes offered (if it isn't, consult one of our sites). Ensure you bring your CV right up to date immediately - not when you're ready to start work! It can happen that you haven't even passed your first exam when you'll secure your initial junior support position; yet this can't and won't happen unless your CV is with employers. If you don't want to travel too far to work, then you may well find that an independent and specialised local employment service may be of more use than some national concern, as they're far more likely to be familiar with the local job scene.

A common aggravation of some training course providers is how much people are prepared to work to pass exams, but how ill-prepared they are to market themselves for the role they've qualified for. Have confidence - the IT industry needs YOU.

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