It's quite some achievement that you're on the right track! A small number of workers claim contentment with their job, but a huge number just bitch about it and do nothing. By looking for this it's probable that you're at least considering retraining, so even now you're ahead of the game. What comes next is get busy to find your direction.

Before embarking on a course, look for some advice - talk to a knowledgeable person; someone who'll give you career advice based on what works best for you, and analyse the courses which are appropriate for you:

* Are you happier left to your own devices at work or is being part of a team more important to you?

* Have you given much thought to which sector you could be employed in? (Post credit crunch, it's even more crucial to choose well.)

* Is this the last time you plan to retrain, and based on that, do you suppose your new career will offer that choice?

* Do you feel uncomfortable about your possibilities of getting new work, and keeping a job right up to retirement?

Pay attention to the IT industry, it will be well worth your time - it's one of the only sectors of industry still growing in Great Britain and Europe. Another benefit is that remuneration packages are much better than most.

The perhaps intimidating chore of finding your first computer related job is often eased because some trainers offer a Job Placement Assistance facility. The fact of the matter is it isn't so complicated as you might think to find your first job - assuming you're well trained and qualified; employers in this country need your skills.

You would ideally have help with your CV and interview techniques though; and we'd recommend everybody to bring their CV up to date as soon as training commences - don't procrastinate and leave it for when you're ready to start work. It's not unusual to find that you will be offered your initial position while you're still a student (occasionally right at the beginning). If your CV doesn't say what you're learning (and it's not being looked at by employers) then you aren't even in the running! You'll normally experience quicker service from a local IT focused recruitment consultant or service than any training course provider's employment division, as they'll know the area better.

To bottom line it, if you put the same amount of effort into finding your first job as into studying, you're not likely to experience problems. A number of students curiously spend hundreds of hours on their course materials and then call a halt once they've got certified and appear to be under the impression that jobs will come to them.

In most cases, the everyday IT hopeful doesn't have a clue what way to go about starting in IT, or even which market they should look at getting trained in. Therefore, if you don't have any experience in the IT sector, how could you possibly know what any qualified IT worker spends their day doing? And of course decide on what certification program provides the best chances for ultimate success. Consideration of the following issues is imperative when you want to get to the right answers:

* Your personal interests and hobbies - often these define what things will provide a happy working life.

* Is your focus to re-train due to a precise reason - e.g. do you aim to work at home (being your own boss?)?

* Is salary further up on your priority-list than some other areas.

* With so many areas to train for in Information Technology - it's wise to achieve a solid grounding on what separates them.

* Taking a serious look into the effort, commitment and time you'll make available.

In all honesty, the only way to investigate these matters will be via a meeting with an advisor or professional that has experience of Information Technology (as well as the commercial requirements.)

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