What can a student searching for training tracks certified by Microsoft expect to find today? Clearly, training providers ought to have a number of routes that match the needs of Microsoft authorised training routes. Maybe you'd choose to have a chat about jobs with an industry expert - and if you're uncertain, then get help to sort out which area of the industry would be right for you, dependent on your personality. Training must be put together to make the most of your skills and abilities. Consequently, having got to grips with the most fruitful career for you, your next requirement is the most suitable program that will equip you for the role.

Proper support is incredibly important - ensure you track down something offering 24x7 direct access to instructors, as anything else will annoy you and definitely hold up your pace and restrict your intake. Many only provide email support (too slow), and phone support is often to a call-centre which will make some notes and then email an advisor - who will then call back sometime over the next 24hrs, at a suitable time to them. This is no good if you're lost and confused and only have certain times available in which to do your studies.

We recommend looking for providers that have multiple support offices active in different time-zones. These should be integrated to offer a simple interface and also access round-the-clock, when you want it, with no hassle. Don't under any circumstances take less than you need and deserve. Online 24x7 support is the only kind that ever makes the grade with IT courses. Perhaps you don't intend to study during the evenings; often though, we're at work when traditional support if offered.

Consider the points below very carefully if you think the sales ploy of a guarantee for your exam looks like a reason to buy:

Certainly it isn't free - you're still being charged for it - the price has simply been included in the whole thing. People who go in for their examinations when it's appropriate, paying as they go are in a much stronger position to qualify at the first attempt. They are aware of their spending and prepare more appropriately to make sure they're ready.

Don't you think it's more sensible to go for the best offer at the time, not to pay any mark-up to a training college, and to do it locally - rather than in some remote centre? A lot of current training companies make big margins because they're asking for exam fees early and hoping that you won't take them all. It's worth noting that exam re-takes through companies with an 'Exam Guarantee' inevitably are heavily regulated. You will be required to do mock exams till you've proven conclusively that you can pass.

VUE and Prometric examinations are in the region of 112 pounds in Great Britain. Why spend so much more on charges for 'Exam Guarantees' (usually wrapped up in the course package price) - when the best course materials, the right level of support and commitment, effort and practice with quality exam preparation systems are the factors that really get you through.

Typically, a new trainee will not know to ask about something of absolutely vital importance - the way their training provider actually breaks down and delivers the courseware elements, and into what particular chunks. Most companies will sell you a program typically taking 1-3 years, and drop-ship the materials to you piecemeal as you finish each section. On the surface this seems reasonable - until you consider the following: Sometimes the steps or stages prescribed by the provider doesn't suit you. You may find it a stretch to finalise each and every section at the speed required?

For the perfect solution, you want everything at the start - so you'll have them all to come back to at any time in the future - as and when you want. You can also vary the order in which you attack each section as and when something more intuitive seems right for you.

It's important to understand: the training itself or a certification isn't the end-goal; the particular job that you want to end up in is. Many trainers unfortunately over-emphasise the actual accreditation. It's not unheard of, in some situations, to thoroughly enjoy one year of training but end up spending 10 or 20 years in a job you hate, as an upshot of not doing the correct research at the beginning.

Make sure you investigate how you feel about career progression and earning potential, and how ambitious you are. You need to know what industry expects from you, what qualifications are needed and in what way you can develop commercial experience. Take guidance from an experienced advisor, even if you have to pay - it's much safer and cheaper to investigate at the start whether something is going to suit and interest you, instead of finding out after several years of study that you aren't going to enjoy the job you've chosen and now need to go back to square one.

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