In a competitive job market, it is important to be preparing for the next position. The good news is that it is easier than ever to acquire new skills without leaving home or your current job. Online certificates are available from many reputable universities and technical colleges. In particular, there has been an increase in opportunities in the area of online healthcare certificates.
Certificates are available in medical billing and coding, healthcare administration, healthcare risk management, and other health services. According to the United States Department of Labor, the number of jobs in the health information and medical records fields will increase by 21 percent between 2010 and 2020. Follow these tips to get ready for class:
Sharpen Your Skills By definition, an online certificate program will require the use of a computer in order for you to complete assignments, communicate with instructors and classmates, and perform other tasks. Take advantage of free, online tutorials to polish typing, spreadsheet, and presentation skills before classes start. Install any necessary software updates to avoid issues with outdated versions.
Put Your Best Foot Forward When preparing for a new profession, take the time to update professional and social networking sites. Add information to spotlight new skills, and remove any information or images that might be seen as unflattering or unprofessional. Indicate that you are pursuing training and are interested in relevant opportunities. Don’t forget to proofread; typos will not impress future employers. If possible, have someone else read over the sites to check for mistakes and to suggest additional skills to add to your profiles.
Spread the News In addition to updating professional and social networking sites, tell friends, family members, and professional contacts that you are adding fresh skills to your repertoire. New opportunities such as internships, job shadowing, informational interviews, or actual jobs can come from unlikely sources, so don’t be shy about spreading the information. Be sure to choose a straightforward email address on professional and networking sites and to communicate with instructors, classmates, and potential employers.
To remain competitive in the current, challenging job market, online training is a convenient and affordable option. Openings in the healthcare industry make online healthcare certificates a particularly good choice. Before pursuing an online certificate in any field, research reputable programs, update your professional skills, clean up any professional and social networking sites, and tell everyone you know that you are open to new opportunities.
This is a guest post from Becky W.
