subject: Computer Training - Finding Work as a Computer Trainer, from a Leading IT Training Company [print this page] Computer Training - Finding Work as a Computer Trainer, from a Leading IT Training Company
If you're looking to get a job as a computer trainer, you'll need to know what employers are looking for. This article draws on the employment experience of one IT training company to point out the sort of skills which you'll need to demonstrate at interviews.
Freelance Trainers
Note that none of the following applies to freelance trainers (we don't use them). In our experience, the main quality you'll need to demonstrate as a freelancer is a willingness to travel, reliability and flexibility.
Interpersonal Skills
The first - and main - thing that we look for is the ability to train (hardly surprising). When we read through CVs, we're looking for something that marks people out as interesting or entertaining. This could be any or all of the following:
- experience working as a teacher
- acting experience, or amateur dramatics
- teaching English as a foreign language
- extensive travel, especially VSO or similar
- extensive voluntary work
At interview, we always make potential employees do mock courses, to judge how well they can train. What we're looking for above everything is likeability: if you haven't got a sense of humour and a certain degree of confidence, you'll never be a good computer trainer.
Technical Skills
As well as being a good trainer, you'll need to understand software (particularly for a company like ours which specialises in advanced training). We're far more interested in your intelligence than we are in your experience, although both help. We'd far rather you got an A in your maths A Level and at least a 2.1 in a science degree than that you've passed all of your Microsoft Windows Server 2008 exams.
Other employers may have different tests, but if you didn't get an A in your maths GCSE, you won't get an interview with us. This may well be unfair, but when you get many different applications you have to whittle them down somehow.
Your Position in Life
Being a computer trainer is a satisfying job, provided that you like working with computers and enjoy teaching. However, think carefully whether you are prepared to travel. Unless you join a dedicated software company, you're going to have to travel. Typically, trainers can spend two nights away from home almost every week. If this sounds glamorous, ask your partner what they think!
Conclusion
We hope this has helped you realise what it takes to be an IT trainer. Please note that at the moment we are not employing, however!
