What might someone searching for Microsoft authorised training expect to find today? Patently, training companies should give access to a variety of different options that cover the portfolio of Microsoft certified training tracks. You'll want to consider all the options with someone who has knowledge of the requirements in the workplace, and can help you choose the best kind of work to suit your abilities and character. Confirm that your training course is personalised to your current level of knowledge and ability. A quality company will ensure that the course is purpose built for the job you want to get.

'Exam Guarantees' are often bundled with training offers - this always means exams have to be paid for upfront, when you pay for the rest of your course. Before you get carried away with this so-called guarantee, be aware of the facts:

In this day and age, we have to be a little more 'marketing-savvy' - and generally we realise that of course it is something we're paying for - it's not because they're so generous they want to give something away! For those who want to get a first time pass, evidence suggests you must pay for each exam as you go, give it the priority it deserves and be ready for the task.

Look for the very best offer you can at the time, and avoid college mark-up fees. You also get more choice of where you do your exams - meaning you can choose a local testing centre. A great deal of money is secured by a number of companies that take the exam money up-front. Many students don't take them for one reason or another but no refunds are given. Astoundingly enough, there are training companies that actually rely on students not sitting all the exams - as that's where a lot of their profit comes from. The majority of organisations will insist that you take mock exams first and with-hold subsequent exam entries from you until you've proven conclusively that you can pass - so an 'Exam Guarantee' comes with many clauses in reality.

Paying maybe a thousand pounds extra on 'Exam Guarantees' is foolish - when a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools is what will get you through.

Considering the amount of options that are available, is it any wonder that a large percentage of trainees balk at what job they could be successful with. What chances do most of us have of understanding the many facets of a particular career when we've never done it? Most likely we don't even know anybody who is in that area at all. Ultimately, an informed decision will only come through a thorough analysis covering many altering key points:

* What nature of individual you are - the tasks that you enjoy doing, and conversely - what you hate to do.

* Are you driven to re-train due to a particular reason - for example, are you pushing to work based from home (maybe self-employment?)?

* Is the money you make further up on your priority-scale than anything else.

* When taking into account all that IT encompasses, it's important to be able to take in how they differ.

* Our advice is to think deeply about the level of commitment you're going to invest in gaining your certifications.

For the average person, dissecting these areas tends to require the help of an experienced pro who knows what they're talking about. And we don't just mean the certifications - but the commercial expectations and needs of the market as well.

A useful feature provided by many trainers is job placement assistance. This is designed to steer you into your first IT role. The fact of the matter is it isn't so complicated as you might think to secure the right work - as long as you're correctly trained and certified; the growing UK skills shortage sees to that.

However, don't leave it until you've finished your training before polishing up your CV. As soon as you start studying, list what you're working on and tell people about it! It can happen that you haven't even qualified when you land your first junior support role; yet this is not possible unless you've posted your CV on job sites. Most often, a local IT focused employment agency (who will, of course, be keen to place you to receive their commission) is going to give you a better service than a sector of a centralised training facility. In addition, they will no doubt know the area and local employers better.

A good number of men and women, so it seems, put a great deal of effort into their studies (for years sometimes), and then just stop instead of trying to get a good job. Sell yourself... Do your best to get in front of employers. A job isn't just going to bump into you.

The old fashioned style of teaching, utilising reference manuals and books, is usually pretty hard going. If this describes you, dig around for more practical courses which have a majority of interactive, multimedia parts. We see a huge improvement in memory retention when multiple senses are involved - experts have been clear on this for many years.

Programs are now found on CD and DVD discs, where your computer becomes the centre of your learning. Through video streaming, you can sit back and watch the teachers showing you precisely how to perform the required skill, followed by your chance to practice - in an interactive lab. Any company that you're considering must be able to demonstrate some simple examples of the type of training materials they provide. Expect video tutorials, instructor led classes and a wide selection of interactive elements.

It's usually bad advice to select online only courseware. With highly variable reliability and quality from the ISP (internet service provider) market, make sure you get physical media such as CD or DVD ROM's.

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