The 2 exams are 640/802, and they are divided as follows - Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1 and Part 2, or ICND1 (640/822) & 'ICND2' (640/816). An alternate name for Part 1 is 'Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician' or 'CCENT' for short. While all this can seem like a mouth full (as often seems the case with I.T. acronyms,) the most straightforward way to do this certification is as the blended CCNA (640/802) examination. 'Cisco' students should find it enormously beneficial to begin their training with the 'CompTIA' qualifications 'A+' and 'Network+' . That will provide them with excellent vendor-neutral training ahead of entering into the 'Cisco' domain itself. You'll want to allow yourself roughly four to five hundred hrs of study time for a combined course like this. As with all specialist training programs, 24-hour direct-access student support should be available to help you to learn and ask about any queries anytime it suits you. Search also for some of the latest multimedia learning materials, and the right examination practice software.

Get rid of the typical salesman that offers any particular course without a thorough investigation to assess your abilities and also your experience level. Always check they have access to a expansive range of products so they're able to provide you with what's right for you. Often, the training start-point for a person with a little experience will be vastly dissimilar to the student with none. If you're a new trainee embarking on IT studies for the first time, it can be useful to ease in gradually, starting with a user-skills course first. This can easily be incorporated into any study program.

We need to make this very clear: You absolutely must have proper 24x7 professional support from mentors and instructors. We can tell you that you'll strongly regret it if you don't. Locate training schools where you can access help at any time you choose (even if it's early hours on Sunday morning!) You want access directly to professional tutors, and not access to a call-in service which takes messages - so you're constantly waiting for a call-back - probably during office hours.

The very best training providers have many support offices from around the world. By utilising an interactive interface to link them all seamlessly, no matter what time you login, help is just seconds away, without any contact issues or hassle. Never make do with a lower level of service. Support round-the-clock is the only way to go when it comes to technical training. It's possible you don't intend to study late evenings; usually though, we're at work while the support is live.

Getting your first commercial position sometimes feels easier to handle if you're offered a Job Placement Assistance program. The need for this feature can be bigged up out of proportion though - it's easy for eager sales people to make too much of it. Ultimately, the still growing need for IT personnel in the United Kingdom is what will make you attractive to employers.

Get your CV updated straight-away though - you should get plenty of help from your training provider on this. Don't delay until you've qualified. Getting your CV considered is more than not being known. A surprising amount of junior positions are bagged by people who are still at an early stage in their studies. Most often, a local IT focused recruitment consultant or service (who will, of course, be keen to place you to receive their commission) is going to give you a better service than a centralised training company's service. They should, of course, also know the local industry and employment needs.

A constant frustration for a number of training course providers is how much people are focused on studying to pass exams, but how ill-prepared they are to market themselves for the position they have trained for. Have confidence - the IT industry needs YOU.

Only consider retraining programs which will progress to commercially accepted certifications. There's an endless list of small colleges offering minor 'in-house' certificates which aren't worth the paper they're printed on when you start your job-search. Only fully recognised accreditation from the likes of Microsoft, CompTIA, Adobe and Cisco will open the doors to employers.

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