GRINMOR TECH INC.

If you think Cisco training might be for you, but you haven’t worked with routers or network switches, initially you should go for a CCNA course. This teaches you skills for setting up and maintaining routers. The internet is constructed from huge numbers of routers, and national or international corporations with many locations also rely on them to allow their networks to keep in touch.

Routers are linked to networks, so seek out training that features the basics on networks – perhaps Network+ and A+, and then do a CCNA course. You’ll need some knowledge of how networks operate before you start a Cisco course or the chances are you’ll fall behind. When you’ve qualified and are on the job market, networking skills will be valuable in addition to the CCNA.

You’ll need a bespoke training program that will systematically go through everything to ensure that you have comprehensive skills and knowledge prior to commencing your Cisco training.

It’s essential to have the current Microsoft (or relevant organisation’s) accredited exam simulation and preparation packages.

Don’t go for training programs relying on unauthorised exam papers and questions. Their phraseology is often somewhat different – and sometimes this can be a real headache when it comes to taking the real exam.

Clearly, it is really important to ensure that you’re absolutely ready for your commercial exam prior to going for it. Going over ‘mock’ tests will help to boost your attitude and helps to avoid thwarted exam entries.

Finding your first job in the industry is often made easier if you’re supported with a Job Placement Assistance facility. Sometimes, people are too impressed with this facility, for it’s relatively easy for any motivated and trained individual to secure a job in the IT environment – as there is such a shortage of skilled employees.

Help and assistance with preparing a CV and getting interviews might be provided (alternatively, check out one of our sites for help). Make sure you polish up your CV today – don’t leave it till you pass the exams!

You might not even have taken your exams when you land your first junior support position; although this is not possible if interviewers don’t get sight of your CV.

The most reliable organisations to help you land that job 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.

A slight frustration of many course providers is how much people are prepared to work to pass exams, but how little effort that student will then put into getting the role they’ve trained for. Don’t falter at the last fence.

Any program that you’re going to undertake really needs to work up to a commercially valid certification as an end-goal – and not some unimportant ‘in-house’ diploma – fit only for filing away and forgetting.

All the major IT organisations like Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco or Adobe each have nationally approved skills programmes. These heavyweights will give some sparkle to your CV.

An area that’s often missed by new students weighing up a particular programme is that of ‘training segmentation’. This basically means the breakdown of the materials for delivery to you, which makes a huge difference to where you end up.

Often, you will purchase a course requiring 1-3 years study and get sent one module each time you pass an exam. While this may sound logical on one level, consider this:

Students often discover that the company’s standard order of study isn’t ideal for them. They might find varying the order of study will be far more suitable. Perhaps you don’t make it at the pace they expect?

For maximum flexibility and safety, it’s normal for most trainees to make sure that every element of their training is sent immediately, and not in a piecemeal fashion. That means it’s down to you how fast or slow and in what order you’d like to take your exams.

A so-called advisor who doesn’t ask you a lot of questions – it’s more than likely they’re just a salesperson. If they push a particular product before understanding your background and whether you have any commercial experience, then you know it’s true.

If you’ve got any work-based experience or qualifications, you could discover that your appropriate starting-point is now at a different level to a new student.

Starting with a basic PC skills course first may be the ideal way to get up and running on your IT program, but really depends on your level of familiarity with computers.

(C) Jason Kendall. Try LearningLolly.com for superb advice on Cisco CCNA and Cisco Course.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 at 7:31 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.