TechKnow | Volume #5 | February 03 2009

In This Issue:
Education: What Do Companies Really Want?
News: The Ongoing Battle: Finding and Keeping a Job
Education: You Don’t Know but You’ve Been Told
Tips: Tech Toys

IT Jobs Resource Center

An informative IT career resource guide! Our goal is to provide you with the information that you will need to be successful in the competitive IT world.
www.cbtjobs.com

What Do Companies Really Want?

Do you need to improve your IT skills in order to get a better job or promotion? Do you need to validate them in order to get a raise? Or are you worried that you’re next in line to lose your job? How valuable are you to your company?

Corporations realize they need to compensate their “best” workers for their knowledge and skills. Even in the recession, employers are making cutbacks and layoffs in order to help the company stay afloat, but they’re also just that desperate to keep the life preservers on staff that keep their heads above water. Are you that life preserver?

Don’t drown in your sorrows. And don’t let your regrets weigh you down. Get certification training in: Microsoft MCSE and MCITP, .NET, Java, Cisco CCENT, CCNA, CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+ and much more. Your certification could be your career lifesaver.


The Ongoing Battle: Finding and Keeping a Job

When it comes to searching for a job in this economy, how do you measure up to your competition? Having a precise idea of your comparison rating makes a huge difference in your preparation to land the right job.

IT consultant, Erik Eckel, says: “If your resume is bolstered by new and timely certifications, you’ll gain an advantage over others applying for the same role. For better or worse, in cases where two otherwise equal candidates are competing for the same lucrative job offer, one applicant’s certifications could prove the deciding factor.”

CBT Direct has created a website especially for competition comparisons. Check out how much money your fellow IT professionals are making in your area. Look at the most popular IT job titles, their job descriptions, education/credential requirements and employment projections to find out where you need to be in the coming years. Then, test your IT IQ to compare your score with the enemy. When you go to battle to fight for the same job, who has what it takes to win?


You Don’t Know but You’ve Been Told

CBT XPress Certification Boot Camps are getting sold! Due to the recession, many of you are desperate to get certified ASAP. Either that, or you just want a “cert-cation” in sunny, Tampa Bay, Florida. Now’s your chance to take that much needed trip to Tampa Bay, and study, stay and sit for your certification class and exam at a beautiful resort and spa! See what our students have been saying about CBT XPress Boot Camps.

CBT XPress Certification Boot Camps include CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+ Boot Camps; Microsoft MCITP Enterprise Administrator 2008; MCSE 2003; MCITP Messaging Administrator; Cisco CCENT and CCNA Boot Camps; for certification at the luxurious Safety Harbor Resort and Spa in Tampa Bay, Florida. For advice on CBT XPress Boot Camps, call 1-877-872-4646 Monday through Friday, 9am-6pm.


Tech Toys

CBT Direct would like to dedicate the entire “Tech Toys” section to one single company (you’ll see why):

iRobot Looj™ - Not sure about you, but we’re fans of the iRobot Roomba® vacuum. The only drawback is that you have to replace the battery after a few years, but hey, it’s worth it. We’re a huge fan of anything that keeps us lazy. So iRobot, we thought, had come out with everything: the Roomba for vacuuming, the Scooba for floor washing, the Dirt Dog for shop sweeping and even the Verro for Pool Cleaning. However, NOW we’ve seen it all. Introducing the iRobot Looj – the Gutter Cleaning Robot.

The Looj – we’re assuming it got its name by combining “leaves” with “sludge” – propels itself inside your gutter, through leaves, dirt and sludge, tossing out debris and brushing your gutters clean. The Looj spins at 500 RPM to quickly clean out leaves, dirt, sludge, pine needles and more –and is especially designed for use in wet gutters, so it’s waterproof up to one foot of water. Looj moves both forward and backward and the detachable handle doubles as a wireless remote control.

Now you can clean the living room floor, the kitchen floor, the garage, patio, sundeck, basement, the pool and now the gutters – all while surfing the web in your PJs. Only two more robotic cleaning tech toys are needed: one for the car and several for the kids. C’mon iRobot, let’s see what you can do.