Work Experience:

Why am I constantly asked about my work experience?
Employers today are looking for skills you simply cannot achieve from studies, these skills are often valued higher than any educational achievements. For most individuals starting out in any new career this is the major pitfall. It is very much a catch-22 situation i.e how do you get a job without experience, and how do you get experience without a job. There is no easy answer so you may have to put yourself out to do any voluntary work necessary to boost your C.V.

Stand out in the crowd
As the UK statisticly has one of the most highly trained work forces in the EU this means that you have much competition when applying for any popular job position. Standing out is the only way to get yourself noticed and go on to secure the job. Consider the following areas about yourself and select areas where you could perhaps improve to stand out as an excellent job candidate:

• Can you prove your knowledge of a subject to the employer? (Certification)
• Do you speak clearly with confidence?
• Do you have relevant work experience? (Irrelevant experience is not also worth stating for example if you previously worked for a restuarant when you are applying for a systems engineer role)
• Have you prepared questions? (Never be afraid to ask questions during your interview it shows real interest in the job and a passion for your own career objectives)
• Know your goals, never appear vague about your objectives employers respect candidates who appear to be highly motivated, passionate and keen to work.
• Employers look for candidates who meet their exact requirements therefore you must understand what they are looking for. Read the job advert in detail.

Gaining Certification:

Why gain certification? (even after university)
As IT careers consultants we have experience in what today's IT employers are looking for and the most common certifications asked for are Microsoft or Cisco (obviously depending on the IT area). In simple terms experience is an engine to get where you're going while certification determines the direction.

Even if you have been through university and gained your degree, it may not be enough to prove a vendor specific knowledge for example if a company uses a Microsoft network technology or Cisco network hardware then they will obviously like to employ a specialist trained in those specific technologies. This is why you will find that the majority of professional IT roles will require some form of vocational training i.e. Microsoft MCSE or Cisco CCNA.

For more information on gaining IT certifications visit our IT Training section.

What about funding?
For UK residents, officially endorsed providers can offer information on the Career Development Loan (CDL). The CDL is a government backed loan provided by Barclays Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland and The Co-operative Bank. It is government backed in the sense that the Learning Skills Council will pay the interest rate on you loan until you have completed your course and allows for upto 3 years to achieve this. All classroom based courses have the availability of a CDL for UK residents to assist funding, giving breathing space to those who dont need the pressure of paying it back straight away, allowing the student to finf work first (Get up to 2 years payment break whilst training.

For a free information pack on the Career Development Loan
please contact the Learning Skills Council on:
FREEPHONE 0800 585 505 or visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/cdl.