If you want Cisco training, the chances are you’re looking for a CCNA. Training in Cisco is intended for individuals who wish to get to grips with routers and network switches. Routers connect networks of computers to another collection of computer networks via dedicated lines or the internet.

As routers are connected to networks, look for a program that includes basic networking skills (for example Network+, perhaps with A+) before you start a CCNA. You must have a basic grasp of networks prior to starting your Cisco training or the chances are you’ll fall behind. When you’ve qualified and are on the job market, companies will expect good networking skills in addition to the CCNA.

Start with a bespoke training program that covers everything you need to know prior to commencing your Cisco training.

One useful service provided by many trainers is a programme of Job Placement assistance. The service is put in place to assist your search for your first position. However sometimes people are too impressed with this facility, for it is genuinely quite straightforward for well qualified and focused men and women to find a job in this industry - because there’s a great need for skilled employees.

However, don’t wait till you’ve qualified before polishing up your CV. Right at the beginning of your training, mark down what you’re doing and get promoting!

Quite frequently, you will get your initial position whilst you’re still studying (even in the early stages). If your CV doesn’t show your latest training profile (and it’s not being looked at by employers) then you don’t stand a chance!

If you’d like to get employment in your home town, then it’s quite likely that a specialist locally based employment agency might be more appropriate than some national concern, for they are much more inclined to be familiar with what’s available near you.

Just ensure you don’t invest a great deal of time on your training course, and then do nothing more and imagine someone else is miraculously going to find you a job. Stand up for yourself and get on with the job. Put as much resource into getting a good job as it took to get qualified.

We can’t make a big enough deal out of this point: You have to get round-the-clock 24×7 instructor support. You will have so many problems later if you don’t heed this.

Avoid those companies that use call-centres ‘out-of-hours’ - where an advisor will call back during normal office hours. It’s no use when you’re stuck on a problem and could do with an answer during your scheduled study period.

Be on the lookout for providers that utilise many support facilities from around the world. All of them should be combined to give a single entry point together with access round-the-clock, when it’s convenient for you, with no fuss.

Don’t ever make the mistake of taking second best when it comes to your support. Most trainees that can’t get going properly, are in that situation because they didn’t get the support necessary for them.

A study programme should always lead to a fully recognised major qualification at the finale - not a useless ‘in-house’ plaque for your wall.

From the perspective of an employer, only the big-boys like Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA or Adobe (for example) will open the right doors. Anything less just doesn’t cut the mustard.

Beginning from the idea that it makes sense to choose the job we want to do first and foremost, before we can even chew over which method of training meets that requirement, how are we supposed to find the right direction?

Flicking through a list of IT job-titles is no use whatsoever. The majority of us don’t really appreciate what our own family members do for a living - so we have no hope of understanding the ins and outs of a specific IT job.

Reflection on many issues is important if you need to expose the right answer for you:

* Personality factors as well as your interests - what working tasks you like and dislike.

* Why you want to consider starting in Information Technology - maybe you’d like to overcome a long-held goal like being self-employed for instance.

* What priority do you place on travelling time and locality vs salary?

* Some students don’t fully understand the amount of work demanded to gain all the necessary accreditation.

* The time and energy you’ll have available to commit getting qualified.

To be honest, you’ll find the only real way to research these issues is via a conversation with someone who understands the IT industry (and more importantly it’s commercial needs.)

(C) 2009 - S. Edwards. Check out Microsoft Access Training or Careers-Advisor.co.uk/caradva.html.

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