Because you're looking at information about MCSE courses, you'll probably be in 1 of 2 situations: You could be considering a radical change of career to the world of IT, and research demonstrates there's a great need for properly qualified people. On the other hand you're currently an IT professional - and you want to enhance your CV with an MCSE.

When researching training colleges, steer clear of any who reduce their costs by failing to use the latest level of Microsoft development. Over time, this will mean the student has to pay a great deal more as they will have been educated in an old version of MCSE which will need updating to suit the working environment. Look out for training providers that are simply out to sell something. Understand that buying an MCSE course is the same in a way as buying a car. They're not all the same; some are reliable and will get you there in comfort, whilst some will be a big disappointment. A worthy company will offer you time, expertise and advice to make sure a course is right for you. If a company has a creditable product, they'll show you examples of it before buying anything.

One of the most important things to insist on has to be 24x7 round-the-clock support from trained professional instructors and mentors. Too many companies only seem to want to help while they're in the office (9am till 6pm, Monday till Friday usually) and nothing at the weekends. Many only provide email support (too slow), and phone support is often to a call-centre who will just take down the issue and email it over to their technical team - who will attempt to call you within 24-48 hrs, when it's convenient to them. This is all next to useless if you're lost and confused and have a one hour time-slot in which to study.

We recommend looking for training programs that utilise many support facilities from around the world. Every one of them needs to be seamlessly combined to give a single entry point as well as 24 hours-a-day access, when it suits you, without any problems. You can't afford to accept less than you need and deserve. Support round-the-clock is the only viable option for computer-based courses. Maybe burning the midnight-oil is not your thing; often though, we're working at the time when most support is available.

Some training providers offer a Job Placement Assistance program, to assist your search for your first position. Ultimately it isn't a complex operation to get the right work - as long as you've got the necessary skills and qualifications; employers in this country need your skills.

Help and assistance with preparing a CV and getting interviews may be available (alternatively, check out one of our sites for help). Ensure you bring your CV right up to date straight away - not when you're ready to start work! Getting onto the 'maybe' pile of CV's is more than not being regarded at all. Often junior support roles are given to trainees who are still at an early stage in their studies. The top companies to get you a new position are usually local IT focused employment agencies. As they will get paid by the employer when they've placed you, they have more incentive to get on with it.

Various students, so it seems, conscientiously work through their course materials (sometimes for years), and then just stop instead of looking for their first job. Market yourself... Make an effort to let employers know about you. Don't think a job's just going to jump out in front of you.

OK, why ought we to be looking at commercially accredited qualifications instead of traditional academic qualifications gained through tech' colleges and universities? The IT sector is of the opinion that to learn the appropriate commercial skills, the right accreditation from such organisations as CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA often is more effective in the commercial field - and a fraction of the cost and time. Typically, only required knowledge is taught. It's not quite as straightforward as that, but the principle objective is to focus on the exact skills required (alongside some required background) - without going into too much detail in all sorts of other things (as universities often do).

In simple terms: Recognised IT certifications give employers exactly what they're looking for - the title is a complete giveaway: for example, I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Designing Security for a Windows 2003 Network'. So employers can identify exactly what they need and which qualifications will be suitable to deal with those needs.

A sneaky way that course providers make extra profits is by adding exam fees upfront to the cost of a course and offering an exam guarantee. It looks impressive, till you look at the facts:

It's very clear we're still footing the bill for it - it's not so hard to see that it's been added into the overall figure from the training company. Certainly, it's not a freebie - and it's insulting that we're supposed to think it is! People who enter their exams one by one, paying as they go are in a much stronger position to qualify at the first attempt. They are mindful of the cost and prepare more appropriately to ensure they are ready.

Do your exams somewhere local and look for the very best offer you can at the time. Buying a course that includes payments for examinations (which also includes interest if you've taken out a loan) is madness. It's not your job to boost the training company's account with your hard-earned cash just to give them a good cash-flow! Many will hope you will never make it to exams - so they get to keep the extra funds. Most companies will require you to do mock exams and with-hold subsequent exam entries from you until you've completely proven that you're likely to pass - making an 'exam guarantee' just about worthless.

Paying maybe a thousand pounds extra on 'Exam Guarantees' is foolish - when study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really guarantee success.

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