You've got the job, so now what?

Matthew Crist,

You've finally landed that new job. You've gone out with friends to celebrate, spent money you haven't yet earned and told everyone at your last company just what you think of them. But the hard work doesn't end there -- in fact, it's only just begun.

It's your first day in the office, and after impressing at the interview, now is the time to prove you are the right person for the job. Here's how:

Arrive early
Just as with an interview, it's good to show that you are eager and well organized by turning up a little earlier than requested. Take into account that you may be driving a new way or catching a different train and give yourself plenty of time. Don't go overboard, though: Turning up at 8 a.m. for a 9 a.m. start time won't win you any points.

Dress appropriately
Remember what people were wearing when you were interviewing. You may have worn a smart suit, which is perfectly acceptable, but if the office operates a casual dress policy, you may not want to be so formal when you start. If you can't remember, then compromise: A pair of nice pants or a skirt with an open neck shirt or blouse is seen as smart while being slightly more relaxed.

Find out about the company
You've obviously done your research in order to get the job in the first place, but it doesn't hurt to know as much as you can. You were probably so overwhelmed by the interview that you didn't take in everything that you were told. Do a little online research to find out the basics -- at least the names of the managers or company directors.

Exude confidence
There's a good chance that on your first day you'll be introduced to a lot of people. Beyond just trying to remember everyone's name, this is your chance to make a good impression with your new colleagues. A firm handshake and eye contact are both recommended, as well as a brief line telling them your name and what you do.

Ask questions
You may have done your research, but you are bound to be overloaded with new information as you are shown the ropes at your new place of work. If you are unsure of anything, ask questions right then and there. It's better than having to admit later on that you weren't following everything that was shared. Even if you understand everything you're told, asking a few questions can only prove that you are keen to learn more about the role.

Take notes
Writing things down will help you when it comes to knowing every fine detail about the company, and it can also give you an air of confidence. You don't have to be overly precise, just a few things to jog your memory when you look over your notes. Keep your notepad with you at all times, especially if you are writing personal descriptions of the people you are soon to be working with.

Get involved
As you get to know your new colleagues, there are bound to be plenty of opportunities that will allow you to mingle with the crowd. Don't shy away from invites for lunch, after-work drinks or even sporting activities. Take every opportunity to show that you are part of the team and not just there for the money.

Hands-On Degrees You Could Earn In Two Years

Source: Yahoo

Ready to take your future seriously? With the right hands-on education, you could prepare to pursue a great career in as little as two years.

By Jennifer Quintenz

Is the thought of spending four years or more in college the only thing keeping you from preparing for a new career? Well what if you could earn the degree you need in as little as two years?
"I think it's absolutely doable to prepare for a good career in just two years," says Melissa Loble, associate dean of distance learning at the University of California, Irvine. "Particularly in careers that require practitioner-based education."
By "practitioner-based education," Loble means learning the skills of your career during your education. "Paralegal work, nursing, education - these are some of the careers where you need to learn the practical skills of the job to be successful in your career," she explains.
Does a hands-on degree program sound like just the thing to motivate you toward making that career change? If so, keep reading to learn about five degrees that will keep you busy learning practical skills and may only take as little as two years to complete.

Degree #1 - Nursing

Were you the kid with a row of "sick" dolls that you lovingly nursed back to health? Consider putting those nurturing instincts to work by earning your associate's degree in nursing.
"This is a great two-year degree to pursue," says Loble. "It's very skill-based, hands-on clinical work - exactly the kind of degree that can be done successfully in two years. It's taught by actual nurses, so it gives you exposure to patient care, and the environment and systems you'll be working with when you're nursing. In a nursing program, you're learning as you're doing on the job."
According to the College Board, a nonprofit organization that promotes higher education, some of the typical major courses for this degree include childbearing-family nursing, health assessment, nutrition, and anatomy and physiology. You might also study microbiology, pharmacology, and psychology.
Click to Find the Right Nursing Program.
Potential Career: Registered Nurse
Once you earn your degree in nursing, you'll need to get licensed before you can qualify for an entry-level position as a registered nurse, says the U.S. Department of Labor. And, Loble notes, you might be able to get an entry-level position with an associate's degree, and then earn your bachelor's of science in nursing while working.

Degree #2 - Early Childhood Education

Do children love to hang out with you because you listen to them and make them feel important? It takes a special person to create a nurturing environment for kids to learn and grow in. And if you want to turn this quality of yours into a career, consider earning your associate's degree in early childhood education.
"Early education programs are incredibly valuable to the student," says Loble. "You're immediately exposed to the classroom setting, which is critical in education. No matter what you learn academically or on paper, until you do it, you don't understand the day-to-day requirements of the job. Many of these two-year programs have you learning while you're doing - so you're building the skills you'll need on the job."
Some of the classes typical of this major include child development, classroom management, instructional design, and curriculum methods, according to the College Board.
Click to Find the Right Child Education Program.
Potential Career: Preschool Teacher
Studying early childhood education could prepare you to pursue a career as a preschool teacher, but requirements vary by state, notes the U.S. Department of Labor. While they range from a diploma and certification to a college degree, some employers prefer applicants with postsecondary education in early childhood education. Some states and employers may also require you to have a nationally-recognized certification, like one from the Child Development Association (CDA).
And the Department of Labor also points out that teachers in Head Start - the government education program for children from low-income families - are obligated to have at least an associate's degree.

Degree #3 - Paralegal Studies

Have you toyed with the idea of pursuing a career as a lawyer, but the years of law school, crazy hours at the office, and serious stress of a trial just don't appeal to you? If you earned your associate's degree in paralegal studies, you could play an important part of the legal system without becoming a lawyer.
"Two-year paralegal studies programs really focus on teaching a combination of the skills you'll need to do your job, and the skills you'll need to be successful in your work environment, whether it's a corporate law firm, the government, or another setting," says Loble. "You learn everything from how to actually work in a law firm, through how to do the daily research and paralegal tasks."
Some of the classes you might take for this degree include civil procedure, ethics, law office administration, litigation, and legal research and writing, according to the College Board.
Click to Find the Right Paralegal Studies Program.
Potential Career: Paralegal
With a degree in paralegal studies, you could prepare to pursue a career as - you guessed it - a paralegal, as the U.S. Department of Labor reports that most paralegals have an associate's degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor's degree in another field and a certificate in paralegal studies.

Degree #4 - Dental Hygiene

You know keeping your teeth and gums healthy results in more than just a pretty smile - good oral hygiene can contribute to your overall health. And if you want to take a stand on the front lines of oral health and help others, consider earning your associate's degree in dental hygiene.
"Most dental hygiene programs are hands on," says Roy Blitzer, an independent executive coach with a specialty in career management. "If you're interested in becoming a hygienist, you have to shadow someone. Follow them around and see how they spend their time during the day at their office."
As for some of the classes you might take for this major, nutrition, radiography, dental hygiene techniques, and periodontology could all be part of the program, according to the College Board.
Click to Find the Right Dental Hygiene Program.
Potential Career: Dental Hygienist
After earning your associate's degree in dental hygiene, you could be qualified to pursue a career as a dental hygienist. That's because according to the U.S. Department of Labor, if you want to get started in this field, you'll typically need an associate's degree in dental hygiene. Additionally, the Department of Labor says every state requires dental hygienists to be licensed.

Degree #5 - Veterinary Technology

Do you have an innate need to help animals who might be sick or hurting? Consider earning your associate's degree in veterinary technology in as little as two years, and you could be the one helping them get back to health.
This is another two-year degree that can provide what Loble calls practitioner-based education - helping expose you to the hands-on skills of the job. Volunteering is another way to get a taste of the career, which you can do before, during, or after you enroll for your degree.
According to the College Board, some of the courses that are typical for this major include animal anatomy and physiology, animal nutrition, parasitology, veterinary pharmacology and anesthesia, and veterinary surgical nursing.
Click to Find the Right Veterinary Technology Program.
Potential Career: Veterinary Technician
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, you must complete a postsecondary program in veterinary technology to pursue a career as a vet technician. Most of these programs offer two-year associate's degrees. Veterinary technicians also need to take an exam to get credentials, and are required to become licensed, certified, or registered, depending on the state.

How To Plan For A Swift Career Change

Source: Yahoo

Thinking about making a career move, but don't want to spend four plus years earning a bachelor's degree? Choose one of these programs, and you could cut that time in half.

By Elizabeth Deranja

Before she became a famous chef, Julia Child not only had careers in publicity and advertising, she even served with the Office of Strategic Services during World War II. If there's one thing Julia has taught us, it's that it's never too late to switch careers.
But what if you have to go back to school to do so? It's never too late for that either - no matter what your age.
"Because of the economy, we're not seeing the typical 18- to 20-year-olds anymore," says Anna Katsuki, an academic advisor at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, Calif. Instead she sees a lot of moms, who were previously staying at home taking care of their children, now going back to school in order to join the workforce.
Whatever your motivation is for pursuing a new career, you likely don't want to spend ages in school preparing yourself, so a bachelor's degree could be out of the question. The good news? There are some very marketable degrees you could earn in as little as two years.
Here are four options at the associate's  and master's degree levels that could help you prepare for your new direction.

Degree #1: Associate's in Health and Information Technology

Medical information and computers go hand-in-hand when it comes to this degree. So if you're interested in both, consider an associate's in health and information technology, which you could earn in as little as two years.
Why It's Right for Career Switchers:  Earning this degree could offer many new professional opportunities. Why? Health care is undergoing great technological change. "[The field of] medical information is growing very fast because under the Affordable Care Act, there is a mandate to move to computer-based medical records," says Laurence Shatkin, career information expert and co-author of "300 Best Jobs Without a Four-Year Degree.".
Click to Find the Right Health Information Technology Program.
Career Switch Options: With an associate's degree in health and information technology, Shatkin says you could pursue a career that focuses on medical coding, billing, or procedures reports - all of which helps the facility better understand why patients are seeking medical treatment. You could also specialize in a certain area, such as secure storage of records, he says.

Degree #2: Associate's in Graphic Design

Are you computer savvy but also want to showcase more of your creative side in a new career? Consider earning your associate's degree in graphic design - another program you could complete in as little as two years.
Why It's Right for Career Switchers: "You don't need a bachelor's [for graphic design]," Katsuki says. "It's about being talented to pick up the skills to go out into the workforce."
Click to Find the Right Graphic Design Program.
Career Switch Options: An associate's degree in graphic design could open doors to a career as a web designer, Shatkin says. Good web designers are always needed, as there are millions of web pages and it's easy to spot the difference between the good ones and bad ones, he says.
Another career option Shatkin mentions is graphic designer within a print media team. In this type of position, Shatkin says you would design print items like magazines and brochures.

Degree #3: Master's in Business Administration (MBA)

If you already have your bachelor's degree but want to move into a more specialized area of business, you may want to consider earning your MBA, which could give you a variety of options in the business world, says Shatkin. The best part? You could get an MBA in as little as two years.
Why It's Right for Career Switchers: "Businesses are increasingly using data tools to make business decisions," Shatkin says. "In order to learn how to use those more sophisticated tools - that's where a master's degree will help you." He also notes that a number of specializations, like marketing, sales management, or product development, could help you focus your MBA.
Click to Find the Right MBA Program.
Career Switch Options: Someone with an MBA will likely find themselves in a management position, Shatkin says. In what type of management position? "I think an MBA is unlimited," he says. Some potential areas where he thinks you could apply your MBA expertise include finance, public relations, marketing, and human resources, to name a few.

Degree #4: Master's in Health Care Administration

If you've already got a bachelor's in an area of health care, but you'd rather move away from direct patient care, you might want to consider getting your master's in health care administration - a program you can complete in as little as two years.
Why It's Right for Career Switchers: This degree might not be for those who want to completely jump tracks, but if you want to fill a different need in the health care industry, it could provide just the right shift in perspective.
Shatkin shares a fairly common career path for this degree: "You can work in health care, and then get the master's and move into health care management."
Click to Find the Right Master's in Health Care Administration Program.
Career Switch Options: With a master's in health care administration, you could find yourself pursuing a role as an office manager at a medical office or hospital, Shatkin says. Within that role, you could specialize in a professional area, like managing patients or technology.
But, he stresses, there are also plenty of opportunities outside of medical offices or hospitals for people with this degree. These include nursing homes and extended care facilities.