Strong computer skills are vital for most non-clinical jobs

How are your computer skills? What if you had to rate yourself? Novice, intermediate, or expert?

Strong computer skills are almost always vital for most non-clinical positions. Why? Because business productivity requires the use of computers and mobile technology. You will probably be expected to use smartphones such as the BlackBerry, iPhone, or even a Windows Mobile device. If you travel for work, you'll find yourself doing quite a bit of work on the airplane. Your productivity will largely depend on your level of computer proficiency. Hence, if you're really slow on the PC and you don't know how to use keyboard shortcuts, then you may be spending a lot of time on your documents or other deliverables.

Learn to be efficient using the Microsoft Office suite of applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). You can view free multimedia tutorials online if you're not very familiar with these applications.

Companies are looking for people who can be efficient since you'll have many different tasks and responsibilities. If you can effectively demonstrate that you have strong computer skills, then you will have a competitive advantage over many other candidates.

Enhancing Computer Skills to Become a Better Job Candidate

If you're considering a career switch into the non-clinical world of healthcare, I'd encourage you to invest some time and energy to enhance your computer skills. We now live in a mobile era where digital technology is ubiquitous and you will be expected to keep up with everyone else in the office. This means that you should get comfortable working on a laptop (or notebook) computer. If you've always had a desktop PC at home, consider getting a laptop so that you're familiar with some of the basics:

• How do you turn on/off the wireless radio?
  
• How do you connect it to a projector?

Of course, you'll also want to brush up on Microsoft Office. Office 2007 is quite different from the earlier versions (like Office 2003, Office XP, etc.). Finally, get very proficient with e-mail. You may not have an iPhone or BlackBerry now, but be prepared to use one if you join the corporate world of pharma/biotech/medical devices and other major healthcare industries. You may not carry a pager, but you'll probably be carrying something that's even worse (you may have no idea if you've never carried a PDA/smartphone).