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By Guest Author Adrian Bates

Hello, my name is Adrian Bates and I have utilized GogoTraining to acquire three ITIL certifications: ITIL Foundations; ITIL Release Control and Validation Intermediate; and Planning Process and Optimization Intermediate Certification.

Here are a couple of tips and tricks that I use to identify what information is critical to absorb during training. Additionally, I listed a couple of tips that have helped me prepare for an exam.

Tip 1:

Prior to taking the training, I briefly reviewed the “Example Exams” within the module. I tended to focus on the “Question Rationale” portion of the test exam. This explains the reasoning behind how it was determined what the best answer is for each question.  There is an area within the question and rationale titled “Bloom’s Taxonomy Testing Level”. This portion explains what the candidate is expected to understand. This tends to help me during training as key parts of the course tend to stand out as critical pieces of information when reflecting on the example exams.

Tip 2:

Another key piece of information that assists with passing the exams is understanding the functional roles and responsibilities of each process. Each scenario speaks to a specific process and generally asks that you align the process or manager role accordingly.  If you have a fundamental understanding of the Capacity, Availability, Demand, Continuity processes etc…, you will have a higher chance of answering the question correctly.

Tip 3:

The last tip I have is that you thoroughly read the question being asked. Every scenario presents a challenge or obstacle that has to be overcome. Close attention must be paid to what question is being asked. For example, the question may ask something along the lines like; what is the best “approach” to create a successful continuity plan that addresses the issues listed by the Information Security Officer. The answers will vary, some of the answers are known as “distracters”. For example, one of the answers might illustrate a plan. The plan will sound great and may be best way to solve the issue. Keep in mind, you were not asked to solve the problem.  You were asked to assess the best way to approach the problem, and to create a plan that in the end will address the issues.  Again, it is very important that you read the question being asked slowly and to answer it as direct as possible.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my tips and tricks! My goal is to achieve ITIL expert and I have found this technique to be very helpful.  I have passed every exam on the first try and I strongly recommend GogoTraining when preparing for your exams.  Their training material is a great asset. The cost, accessibility to the site, support and training, in my opinion all receive good marks. You will realize this when you take the exam.

Average annual compensation for software developers and system engineers in the USA is around $104,500. A career in the IT sector not only offers a handsome salary and tremendous learning opportunities but it also provides a global exposure. The demand for digital tools and services is growing across all industries in the USA which is driving the growth in employment in Information Technology sector.  There is no better time than today to build a sound career in the IT industry!

Here are your 5 Steps to Landing a Job in the IT Industry

1.) Learn a Programming Language

To develop a career in the IT sector, you need to learn a programming language or a particular IT skill. Join an online course and gain mastery over any programming language or related skill set. Check out the applications and specialized software programs that are powered by the language you are learning. Try to work on as many real word projects as possible.  Practice rigorously, and build a robust portfolio. The portfolio will be extremely useful in showing your skills to potential employers.

2.) Get Certified

Not all programming languages have official certification exams. However, for some languages such as Java SE 8 programming, etc. you have the option to get certified by an authorized body. Taking advantage of certifications to advance your career in the IT sector is a smart move. Get certified by the appropriate widely recognized body. While the certification may not be entirely necessary, it will help you gain more credibility in your area of expertise and set you apart from other similarly qualified applicants.

3.) Write a Focused Resume

You need to invest significant time in developing a resume that represents your skills and accomplishments. Don’t copy the buzzwords from the internet. Prepare a short resume (1-2 pages) with all relevant details. It must be tailor-made for the job you are applying. This means it should have only the pertinent information related to the position you are applying for. By creating job customized resumes, you will increase your chances of getting that all important first interview.

4.) Expand your Network

Make an impressive LinkedIn profile and add relevant connections on a regular basis. Use a professional profile photo and complete the employment section with updated information. Use the right keywords that reflect your personality traits and professional skill sets. Engage with industry professionals and develop genuine relationships on the platform. Ask your classmates, current and former colleagues for a recommendation on LinkedIn. Remember that a majority of recruiters go through candidates’ LinkedIn profiles before calling them for the interview. Thus, an excellent LinkedIn profile can contribute significantly to your career’s success.

5.) Prepare for the Interview

An interview may last for 30 minutes or more. However, almost a third of interviewers know within the first 90 seconds whether they are going to hire you or not. That means, your first impression not only counts but impacts the selection process significantly. Thus, work on your personality and do everything that boosts your confidence. Pay close attention to your  outfit and personal hygiene. If the interview is on the phone, be aware of background noise and any speaking habits that hurt your credibility (“uhhh…”, “like…like…like”, speaking too fast, etc.)

Before appearing for the interview, brush-up your knowledge about the company and make sure to have a list of relevant questions pertaining to the job in question. During the interview, maintain a direct eye contact with the interviewer. Crack a smile when you are feeling less confident and speak assertively. Recruiters don’t hire people who are not sure about their expertise. Thus, stay positive and be confident during the entire interview process.

The Bottom Line…

Being prepared for the role you want and the company you’re interviewing for is crucial.   Be ready to work hard and become an expert in your field. Enroll for advanced online IT courses to keep your knowledge updated. Remember that to be successful in the technology industry, you need to learn new things continuously so that you can add value to the business from the start and all the way through your career.

AXELOS introduced the ITIL Practitioner certification in early 2016. While other courses of ITIL mainly focus on “What is ITIL,” the ITIL Practitioner is designed to teach “How to adopt and adapt ITIL.” It is a welcome step as it seeks to address the concern related to “How to get started with ITIL.”

The ITIL Practitioner shows you how to adopt and adapt ITIL best practices into your organization and make ITIL come to life. It helps you get beyond the best practices and see how to use them to streamline your organization and save money.

The ITIL Practitioner course has included several modern concepts, interactive tools, and templates, and most importantly the people aspect of ITSM implementations through key modules such as Organization Change Management (OCM) and Communication.

The ITIL Practitioner exam requires thorough study and understanding.  You will be expected to have read the book and to understand how to adopt and adapt what you learned.  For the first time in the history of ITIL, there is a provision for open book format for the ITIL Practitioner certification exam.  You are allowed to mark up the pages and know where to find information so it may help you during the exam.  While this sounds as though it makes the exam easier, it is actually the opposite.  You really need to know the book inside and out before you take the exam.  You must be able to find what you need quickly and use it to select the correct answer.  This is a very different exam and you will need to plan differently to pass.

Why is the Exam is Open Book?

The ITIL Practitioner course deals mainly with the concepts that support the deployment of ITSM principles. The exam requires the students to adopt, adapt and apply ITIL best practices. The official course material consists of tools and templates such as KPI Balance Checklist, Communication campaign checklist, Business case, etc. which are used for various purposes. You need to have a working knowledge of these tools in order to correctly implement them in real-world situations. Thus, ITIL Practitioner certification exam is designed to assess your ability to apply the ITSM principles. A majority of the questions in the exam are related to different situations where understanding the context is more important than memorizing concepts. Thus, an open book format enables students to focus on contextual applications of the concepts without spending time in remembering the principles.

Here is a quick guide to help you prepare for the exam:

1.) Remember to Prioritize the Concepts

In this type of exam, your interpretation of the concepts is crucial. However, you need to study the concepts thoroughly and memorize some of them so that you don’t need to refer the book to answer every question. You will not have adequate time to do so. Thus, you need to prioritize the concepts that you should memorize. For instance, read and understand the case studies given in the book so that you don’t waste your time reading the cases during the exam.

2.) Form a study group

Study groups work well for any studies. It is particularly helpful in the preparation of ITIL Practitioner certification exam. By discussing ideas and sample questions with others, you will have a better understanding of the applicability of the concepts in different contexts. The study conversations with friends may also help you recall the ideas during the exam. The discussions also assist in making right assumptions while solving some questions.

3.) Use the book in the mock tests

If you are planning to use the book in the exam, then practice the mock tests in the similar fashion. By doing so, you will have a better understanding of how to search for the information in the book quickly and what preparation you need to make to score well in the final exam. In short, it will be of immense help in strategizing your certification exam.

4.) Mark key information in the official book

Bear in mind that only official handbook along with tabulation of its content is allowed in the exam. Since you have 135 minutes to answer 40 questions, you can’t spend significant time in searching for relevant information in the book. Thus, you should mark key ideas and tabulate them neatly so that you can find the relevant concepts quickly.

5.) Learn Time Management

Try to solve those questions first that don’t require any help from the book. Some of the questions might be very confusing and take a lot of time to solve them correctly even with the support of the book. Answer them towards the end of the exam. You must manage your time effectively so that you don’t miss many easy questions in the quest of solving a few tough ones or spending too much time on searching information in the book.

6.) Maintain Examination Temperament

Maintaining exam temperament and handling pressure effectively is the key to success in an open book exam format like this. There could be many questions which are vaguely worded and require you to make assumptions. It may be frustrating at times, to read and reread the questions and make assumptions when you are under pressure. You need to be calm, read the questions objectively and maintain your cool while tackling such issues.

7.) Write The Exam when you are Confident

Unlike traditional classroom programs, GogoTraining offers a self-paced learning environment where you have the flexibility to learn the essential concepts required for ITIL Practitioner certification at a time and place of your choice. Take advantage of the flexibility and write the exam when you are fully understood all the concepts. You will also have access to to the instructor to ask all the questions regarding exam preparation.

 Conclusion

Although ITIL Practitioner certification is not a prerequisite for ITIL Intermediate Level qualifications, it carries three credits towards ITIL Expert certification. Moreover, it is an excellent course because you learn how to adopt and adapt ITIL best practices which will make you a key employee, one that everyone wants to have on their team.  A carefully planned approach, thorough study and some practice you can easily get comfortable with open book format and score well in the exam.

This week in Network World there is a great article on Datacenter Transformation.  The rapid transitions occurring require people to really understand (1) the basics of data center equipment, from power to cooling to IT, (2) the impact of changes on energy efficiency, cost, and data center uptime, and (3) what can be done to facilitate and manage these changes.  Dave Cole has consolidated more than 20 years of experience into 18 hours of training that will allow you to understand how a data center works and specific steps you can take to improve energy efficiency, reduce costs, and improve operational efficiency in the data center.  Everyone from a new data center manager  to experienced professionals will benefit from this training.

Excerpts taken from The White House, Office of the Press Secretary on Monday, April 29, 2013.

Today, speaking at the White House Forum on Military Credentialing and Licensing, First Lady Michelle Obama will announce the IT Training and Certification Partnership, a new public-private partnership that will enable thousands of service members to earn industry-recognized information technology (IT) certifications before they transition from military service. Today’s announcement builds upon President Obama’s June 2012 announcement of partnerships with the manufacturing sector that enable service members to earn high-demand advanced manufacturing certifications, and the establishment of the Department of Defense’s Military Credentialing and Licensing Task Force. Additionally, the event is an extension of the First Lady’s challenge to our Nation’s Governors in February 2013 to take executive or legislative action to help our troops get the credentials they need to successfully transition to the civilian labor market by the end of 2015.

Industry leaders include Cisco Systems, Microsoft Corporation, Oracle, CompTIA, NetApp, HP, Futures Inc., Global Knowledge, GogoTraining and SANS Institute and Global Information Assurance Certification

GogoTraining is providing access to their online self-paced Information Technology training platform to help transitioning military personnel prepare for careers in the private sector. With the help of GogoTraining’s learning platform, experts bring their classroom courses to life online enabling service members to fit training into their schedule while still receiving the same high quality classroom content and support. GogoTraining courses and programs will help exiting personnel prepare for careers in computer programming, database administration, software and mobile application development, and obtain key certifications in areas such as CompTIA and Oracle.

Buckminster Fuller created the “Knowledge Doubling Curve”; he noticed that until 1900 human knowledge doubled approximately every century. By the end of World War II knowledge was doubling every 25 years. Today things are not as simple as different types of knowledge have different rates of growth. For example, nanotechnology knowledge is doubling every two years and clinical knowledge every 18 months. But on average human knowledge is doubling every 13 months.  According to IBM, the build out of  the “internet of things” will lead to the doubling of knowledge every 12 hours.

In a recent lecture at Harvard University neuroscientist Jeff Lichtman, who is attempting to map the human brain, has calculated that several billion petabytes of data storage would be needed to index the entire human brain. The Internet is currently estimated to be 5 million terabytes (TB) of which Google has indexed roughly 200 TB or just .004% of its total size. The numbers involved are astounding especially when considering the size of the human brain and the number of neurons in it.

A transition from the linear growth of human knowledge to the exponential growth of human knowledge has taken place.. According to researchers dealing with this information will necessitate the development of vastly more complex software, shareability, and artificial intelligence.

Author Clem Chambers, in a Forbes article on Amazon’s “Mechanical Turk” believes leading edge computer technology will be combined with artificial intelligence allowing collective problem-solving on a larger scale and the creation of vast amounts of data.

Industry Tap Into News, April 2013.

Revenge of the nerds?!

A report ranking the best jobs in 2013 is chock full of IT roles, with database administrator, systems analyst, software developer and Web developer achieving rare air.

According to the recent U.S. News and World Report findings, reported on recently in InfoWorld, those positions took up nearly half the “top ten” spots on the list. Computer programmer, IT manager and systems administrator roles cracked the top 25.

The ranking of 100 jobs was based on the hiring demand using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics findings and scored out through salary, job prospects, growth potential and other factors.

Though these factors don’t universally grade out at the high end for each and every IT job on the list (for example, IT manager roles rank high for stress level, but also top out on potential with a projected 18 percent employment growth rate in the next decade), the “in-your-face” presence of so many IT roles among the upper echelon of this list signals that, indeed, techies are in high demand these days.

Are you behind in newer technologies, or need a fresh career in IT? Look at GogoTraining’s curriculum offerings. Training can move your career in new directions.

Source: CompTIA IT Career Blog

Whether you’re an active job seeker in the ever-changing IT industry or an entrenched veteran in need of new challenges, your New Year’s resolutions are ready-made.

A clear takeaway from the recent article in CIO.com offering career resolutions is all IT pros need to evolve along with the industry. As organizations gear up to add staff in an IT job market expected to hit the ground running in the year to come, your organized competitors for those jobs are already doing much of the following:

• Expand your sphere of influence to understand the big-picture business side of the industry you target
• Chart out a career map which includes a skills analysis, plan to bridge skills gaps and network of peers and mentors
• Build a current, dynamic personal website to market your “brand”
• Keep on top of your social profile by searching for yourself to see what comes up, much like your prospective hiring manager would
• Proper interview follow-up can pay under-appreciated dividends
• Get out of the comfort zone with new classes, seminars and industry introductions

Check out GogoTraining’s expansive list of video based courses and try something new – shake it up!

Source: CompTIA IT Careers Blog

Today is December 12, 2012. If you’re a Facebook, Twitter or another social network user, you’ve seen “12-12-12” documented heavily for the last week. The fascination with this date is that we’ll never experience another set of all three – the day, the month and the year being the same in our lifetime (if you’re throttling yourself wondering why, there is no 13th month). The next occurrence will be the year 2112, and I think I can safely say that anyone who has the capability to read this article will not be around then.

So I thought it would be interesting to look at what are some other things that we will never see again: Blockbuster – once the king of VHS and DVD in-store rentals; Hostess brands – you remember Twinkies?; MySpace – one of the first social networking sites.

Innovation at all levels impacts how long a company can stay in business. It’s needed in product updates, packaging, updating applicability, communication and audience. We live in a  interesting times, where word of mouth means more than ever before thanks to Facebook and Twitter; where advertising has moved from the printed page to Google Ad Words (Google’s advertising program); and where we learn about the products and services we’ll buy looking at screens that minimally measure 2.5 X 4. Constant innovation is needed. Incorporating new technologies can give you access to a new audience, improve your product or service above your competition or provide a much desired feature. Staying on the “in business” list requires innovation and inspiration. 2013 is waiting…..