| Whether looking to advance in your current company, | | | | to know to pass your MOS exam. There are also |
| apply for a better position, or get started in the | | | | many books on the market meant to teach the ins |
| business world, it's very valuable to be a MOS. MOS | | | | and outs of the different Microsoft Office programs. |
| (sometimes MOUS) stands for Microsoft Office | | | | The downside to this, though, is the difficultly learning |
| Specialist, which is an in-depth certification provided by | | | | some specifics without a teacher. |
| Microsoft. . . and being one can set you apart in a very | | | | Online Courses |
| competitive job market. Having Microsoft Office | | | | The online courses available to prepare you for your |
| Specialist certification doesn't just look good on your | | | | MOS exam range from full-term courses to |
| resume-- the skills you will learn will help you to be | | | | seven-day accelerated "boot-camps." Doing a simple |
| more efficient and knowledgeable in your day to day | | | | Google search will give you countless MOS training |
| work. Whether you're an Administrative Assistant or a | | | | options, whether they be specifically for taking the |
| Database Manager or a Teacher, MOS training and | | | | MOS exam, or for learning the Microsoft Office suite. |
| certification can streamline your working methods. | | | | The advantage of this sort of course is that it |
| In order to receive your Microsoft Office Specialist | | | | combines the convenience of learning at home with led |
| certification, you must pass one of the Office | | | | teaching. For most, this is an ideal option for preparing |
| Specialist exams. You can choose to take the exams | | | | for the MOS, as there is a huge array of options |
| for the entire Office suite, or for only the program you | | | | available for all price ranges and time constraints. |
| need at the time. The exams themselves can be | | | | Community College Courses |
| taken at computer learning centers, community | | | | Chances are, your community college has several |
| colleges and universities, and even office supply stores | | | | courses on Microsoft Office that will easily prepare |
| such as Comp USA. | | | | you for the MOS exam. The advantage of this type |
| Since this is a highly specialized exam that requires | | | | of course is having hands-on teaching in a classroom |
| quite a depth of knowledge, there are a variety of | | | | environment. This is especially good for those slightly |
| training options for those looking to take their MOS | | | | less computer-savvy, or those who don't learn easily |
| exams. This includes in-home self training using free | | | | from reading. Or even just those who prefer a |
| online tools and classes, to paid online training | | | | classroom environment. Most community colleges |
| programs, to college-level courses on Word, Excel, | | | | have ultra-cheap rates for residents, and usually have |
| PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook. | | | | few or no required courses for most Microsoft Office |
| Using Free Tools and Resources | | | | courses. This would only work well, however, for those |
| For those that are quick learners, there are a variety | | | | with little time constraints, as most programs take a full |
| of free options available to teach you what you need | | | | semester to complete. |