How to get that First Job IT
10th February 2009
Author: Robert Palmer
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How to get that First Job in ITIn these economically tight times, many people are desperately re-training to give themselves an edge in the world of employment. In this article, we’ll take a look at a qualification that is worth paying for, if you want to get that first job in the world of Information Technology.A First job in ITIf you’re looking to get into the world of IT, there are some basic skills you simply must have. You need to know how to use a computer to write letters and compose documents (word processing); manipulating numbers in a spreadsheet application is also a necessary skill. An added bonus would be the know-how to put together a presentation, using slides. Database skills are also a plus point, but only in the data-entry sense. Rarely would you be expected to put together the database itself, even in a small company. For word processing, the dominant application is still Microsoft Word. This software has had a thorough revamp lately, so you need to be aware of the different versions. Microsoft Word 2007 uses something called the Ribbon as its interface. This is very different from previous versions, which was menu drive. If you’re applying for a job with a company that uses the 2007 version, and you’ve never used this software before, then you’re in for a very big surprise! So make sure the IT course you pay for gives you experience in BOTH versions.For spreadsheets, the software application you need to be able to use is Microsoft Excel. In an office environment, Excel skills will be essential. You won’t be expected to do the company’s account, but you’ll be expected to do something with numbers in a spreadsheet. And if you haven’t got Excel skills, you probably won’t make it past the interview stage.Putting together a presentation usually means Microsoft PowerPoint. This is a good bonus skill to have, as many people are still wary of this aspect of IT. At a basic level, it means creating slides with bullet points, images, and perhaps some audio. You’d then stand at the front of the room and deliver a talk, with your PowerPoint slides on display. If you don’t know how to put together a PowerPoint presentation in the first place, you’ll be at a decided disadvantage!A Good First IT QualificationIn the United Kingdom and Europe, a good first qualification to go for is called the ECDL. This stands for the European Computer Driving Licence, for some reason best known only to those who came up with the title, as it’s absolutely nothing to do with driving! The ECDL will, however, cover all aspects of the Microsoft Office software packages: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. In general, you can get ECDL books/Videos from places like your library (or good bookshops). You'd then need a log book for about £25, so that you can record your progress. Once you're ready, you book an exam at a local ECDL centre. The exams usually cost about £75, and they'll ask for your log book.The ECDL is one of the certificates that most IT training providers will offer. Don’t pay more than £200 for this qualification. At that price, the log book and exam fees should be included. Once you have ticked off all the items in your log book, your training provider should book a place for you. Be wary of providers who expect you to book your own place.Make sure to ask a training provider if they cover Office 2007 as well as earlier versions. A lot of businesses have not upgraded their software, so a good CV will list BOTH varieties of Microsoft Office. Make sure that good CV is yours!--Mark Kay is the lead writer and programmer for Home and LearnHome and Learn, and has been in the IT industry for over 15 years. Home and Learn is a web site dedicated to offering free computer course.
