As your research has brought you here then it's likely that either you want to get into networking and an MCSE certificate appeals to you, or you could already be in IT and you're aware that you need the MCSE accreditation.

Always make sure you prove conclusively that the training provider you're using is actually training you on the latest Microsoft editions. A number of trainees get frustrated when they realise they've been learning from an outdated MCSE course which inevitably will have to be up-dated. Don't rush into buying a training program without the right advice. Find a training provider that will make sure that you're on a well matched program for your needs.

'Exam Guarantees' are often bundled with training offers - this always means exams have to be paid for upfront, at the start of your training. However, prior to embracing a course with such a promise, why not be aware of the facts:

You'll pay for it somehow. You can be assured it's not a freebie - it's just been rolled into the price of the whole package. We all want to pass first time. Entering examinations in order and paying for them just before taking them makes it far more likely you'll pass first time - you take it seriously and are mindful of the investment you've made.

Hold on to your money and pay for the exam at the appropriate time, and hang on to your cash. In addition, it's then your choice where to take your exam - meaning you can choose a local testing centre. Many questionable training course providers secure a great deal of profit by asking for exam fees early and cashing in if they're not all taken. The majority of organisations will insist that you take mock exams first and not allow you to re-take an exam until you have proved to them you have a good chance of passing - making an 'exam guarantee' just about worthless.

With average Prometric and VUE examinations in the United Kingdom costing around 112 pounds, by far the best option is to pay for them as you take them. It's not in the student's interests to fork out hundreds or thousands of pounds for exams when enrolling on a course. Study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really guarantee success.

A fatal Faux-Pas that potential students often succumb to is to focus entirely on getting a qualification, rather than starting with where they want to get to. Schools have thousands of students who chose a course based on what sounded good - in place of something that could gain them their end-goal of a job they enjoyed. Students often train for a single year but end up doing the actual job for 10-20 years. Avoid the mistake of opting for what may seem to be a very 'interesting' program only to spend 20 years doing a job you don't like!

You must also consider how you feel about career progression and earning potential, and if you're ambitious or not. You need to know what the role will demand of you, which qualifications are needed and where you'll pick-up experience from. Long before starting a learning programme, it makes sense to chat over the exact job needs with an experienced advisor, to make sure the learning course covers all that is required.

All programs you're considering should always lead to a properly recognised exam as an end-goal - definitely not some 'in-house' piece of paper. If your certification doesn't come from a major player like Microsoft, CompTIA, Adobe or Cisco, then it's likely it will be commercially useless - as no-one will have heard of it.

Many trainers offer a Job Placement Assistance program, to help you get your first job. Don't get caught up in this feature - it's quite easy for companies marketing departments to make it sound harder than it is. The fact of the matter is, the need for well trained IT people in Britain is why employers will be interested in you.

CV and Interview advice and support might be provided (if not, see one of our sites for help). Ensure you work on your old CV immediately - don't wait until you've finished your exams! Quite often, you will be offered your first job whilst still on the course (sometimes when you've only just got going). If you haven't updated your CV to say what you're studying - or it's not getting in front of interviewers, then you don't stand a chance! The best services to help you land that job are usually specialist locally based employment services. As they will get paid by the employer when they've placed you, they're perhaps more focused on results.

A regular grievance for a number of course providers is how hard trainees are prepared to work to pass exams, but how little effort that student will then put into getting the position they're acquired skills for. Don't falter at the last fence.

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