January 20th, 2010 
Scott Edwards For those interested in joining a web design team, an Adobe Dreamweaver course is a fundamental criteria for attaining relevant certifications that are recognised around the world.
Additionally, it’s good practice that you learn all about the entire Adobe Web Creative Suite, which includes Flash and Action Script, to have the facility to facilitate Dreamweaver professionally as a web designer. This knowledge can mean later becoming an Adobe Certified Expert or Adobe Certified Professional (ACE or ACP).
In order to become a web designer of professional repute however, you’ll have to get more diverse knowledge. You’ll need to study various programming essentials like HTML, PHP and MySQL. An excellent grasp of E-Commerce and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) will also improve your CV and employability.
The sometimes daunting task of securing your first IT job can be made easier by some training providers because they offer a Job Placement Assistance service. Sometimes, too much is made of this feature, as it is actually not that hard for any focused and well taught person to secure work in this industry – as there is such a shortage of skilled employees.
One important thing though, avoid waiting until you’ve qualified before polishing up your CV. Right at the beginning of your training, list what you’re working on and place it on jobsites!
Quite frequently, you’ll secure your first position while you’re still a student (even in the early stages). If you haven’t updated your CV to say what you’re studying (and it isn’t in the hands of someone with jobs to offer) then you won’t even be considered!
The top companies to get you a new position are usually specialised and independent recruitment consultants. As they will get paid by the employer when they’ve placed you, they have more incentive to get on with it.
Please make sure you don’t conscientiously work through your course materials, and then just stop and imagine someone else is miraculously going to sort out your employment. Stop procrastinating and make your own enquiries. Channel as much time and energy into getting the right position as you did to gain the skills.
Typically, a new trainee will not know to ask about a painfully important area – the way the company divides up the courseware sections, and into what particular chunks.
You may think that it makes sense (with training often lasting 2 or 3 years to pass all the required exams,) for a training company to release a single section at a time, until you’ve passed all the exams. But:
What happens when you don’t complete every exam? Maybe the prescribed order won’t suit you? Because of nothing that’s your fault, you may not meet the required timescales and not receive all the modules you’ve paid for.
An ideal situation would be to have all the learning modules couriered to your home before you even start; the entire package! Then, nothing can hinder your ability to finish.
People attracted to this sort of work are often very practical, and don’t always take well to classrooms, and struggling through thick study-volumes. If this could be you, try the newer style of interactive study, where you can learn everything on-screen.
Research has constantly confirmed that an ‘involved’ approach to study, where we utilise all our senses, is far more likely to produce long-lasting memories.
Interactive full motion video utilising video demo’s and practice lab’s will turn you off book-based study for ever more. And they’re a lot more fun to do.
Any company that you’re considering should be able to show you some samples of the materials provided for study. Make sure you encounter videos of instructor-led classes and many interactive sections.
Opt for CD or DVD ROM based materials where possible. This then avoids all the potential pitfalls with broadband outages, failure and signal quality issues etc.
If your advisor doesn’t ask you a lot of questions – chances are they’re actually nothing more than a salesman. If they’re pushing towards a particular product before looking at your personality and current experience level, then you know you’re being sold to.
Of course, if in the past you’ve acquired any previous certification, then you will often be able to start at a different point than a student who’s starting from scratch.
Where this will be your first effort at IT study then you should consider whether to practice with some basic Microsoft package and Windows skills first.
Copyright 2009 Scott Edwards. Hop over to Web Designer Course or www.NewCareerOptions.co.uk/oncarop.html.
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