What might someone looking for certified training from Microsoft expect to find today? Clearly, companies should give access to a number of different options that match the needs of Microsoft certified training tracks. It's a good idea to talk about career options with a person who's got industry experience - and if you're not sure, then get help to sort out whereabouts in industry would be best, dependent on your abilities and personality. When you've settled on the career path you want, a relevant course needs to be picked that's goes with your skills and abilities. This should be personalised for you.

Often, students don't think to check on something of absolutely vital importance - the way the company segments the courseware sections, and into how many bits. Normally, you'll enrol on a course taking 1-3 years and receive one element at a time until graduation. This sounds logical on one level, until you consider this: Maybe the order of study pushed by the company's salespeople doesn't suit all of us. What if you find it hard to complete each and every section within the time limits imposed?

To provide the maximum security and flexibility, it's normal for most trainees to request that all their modules (now paid for) are posted to them in one go, with nothing held back. It's then up to you in which order and at what speed you want to finish things.

A lot of training companies only provide support available from 9-6 (office hours) and sometimes later on specific days; very few go late in the evening or at weekends. Email support is too slow, and so-called telephone support is normally just routed to a call-centre who will take the information and email an instructor - who will call back over the next day or so (assuming you're there), at a suitable time to them. This isn't a lot of good if you're stuck with a particular problem and only have certain times available in which to do your studies.

The best training colleges tend to use an internet-based 24x7 facility utilising a variety of support centres over many time-zones. You're offered a single, easy-to-use interface that seamlessly accesses whichever office is appropriate at any time of day or night: Support available as-and-when you want it. Never ever take second best where support is concerned. The vast majority of trainees that throw in the towel, are in that situation because they didn't get the support necessary for them.

Authorised exam simulation and preparation software is crucial - and must be obtained from your course provider. Steer clear of relying on unauthorised exam preparation systems. The way they're phrased can be completely unlike authorised versions - and sometimes this can be a real headache once in the actual exam. 'Mock' or practice exams will prove very useful in helping you build your confidence - so much so, that at the proper exam, you will be much more relaxed.

OK, why is it better to gain commercially accredited qualifications as opposed to more traditional academic qualifications taught at schools and Further Education colleges? Industry is of the opinion that to learn the appropriate commercial skills, proper accreditation from the likes of Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA is closer to the mark commercially - for considerably less. Higher education courses, as a example, often get bogged down in vast amounts of background study - with much too broad a syllabus. Students are then prevented from getting enough core and in-depth understanding on a specific area.

The bottom line is: Commercial IT certifications tell an employer precisely what skills you have - the title is a complete giveaway: for example, I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Managing and Maintaining Windows Server 2003'. So employers can identify just what their needs are and which qualifications will be suitable to deal with those needs.

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