In your pursuit to create that perfect resume that will land you an interview, there are a few things to consider. You’ll want to put the experience you have that will best match what they are searching for.
In addition to that it’s great to show off any programs you are proficient in and certifications you have. If that is a section that could use some love, you’ve come to the right place. Today I’m sharing a list of the best online courses to take so that your resume shines.
How To Decide What Courses/Certifications To Take
It seems like there are an infinite amount of online courses and certifications available to take online. So how do you decide which are the best ones to go for? There are two questions to ask yourself that will narrow the selection down a bit.
- What skills do I want to gain/improve on?
- What programs have been listed on many of the job descriptions I’ve considered applying to?
When it comes down to it, it is the skills and programs that will direct you in your search for courses to take and certifications to earn. The more you match your qualifications to the job description, the higher likelihood that your resume will be picked. Now let’s talk about where you can find these courses.
The Best Sites For Finding Online Courses To Take
While there are plenty of other places to find courses, the following websites are full of a variety of them. That makes it easier to find something that interests you. I’ll cover specific courses in the next section.
Udemy
The Udemy website hosts over 250 thousand courses. You can find classes on everything from AI to leadership and finance to nutrition. They also have flexible ways to pay as well. You can either pay class by class or have a monthly plan and have access to all of their classes.
Coursera
Coursera has helped learners from across the globe gain the skills and knowledge they need to start, advance, or even change their careers. They have partnered with over 350 universities and companies to offer all the best courses in a variety of fields.
Whether you are searching for a certain course, want a game plan of the different courses and certifications for a particular career role, or want to attend college online, Coursera can help with that. There are some free courses and several price plans for all other courses on the site.
Skillshare
Skillshare is a site dedicated to anyone wanting to learn new creative skills, or advance the skills they already have. Whether you are interested in photography, creative writing, or even social media, you can find a course taught by an expert in that field. Once you sign up for a Skillshare membership you get a seven day free trial to test the platform out.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning connects to your LinkedIn account to suggest the best online courses and certifications that will take your career further. By telling them your career goal or area you want to focus on, the platform will create a personalized learning plan. Get access to the courses and one month of LinkedIn Learning free when you sign up for their premium subscription.
Alison
Alison is a site that offers free courses that will help you uplevel your knowledge and skills. It’s a great way to add a boost to your resume. They host over 5,500 courses in topics from IT to health and business to engineering. You can also search for open jobs on Alison, which makes it easier to decide what courses you should take.
6 Online Courses To Take For A Resume Boost
These six courses are great resume boosters. Some work for a variety of careers, while some are more specialized. I’d recommend starting with one of these courses then finding out which learning platform you like the most from what I shared in the previous section.
Generative AI For Beginners, by Microsoft:
AI is everywhere now. In order to stay current many companies are expecting their employees to be familiar with this tool. This course will introduce you to how to set up an AI application.
Effective communication in the workplace by Open Learn:
Having great communication skills is crucial for any position you are in. In this online course you’ll learn all about the different types of communication and how they can be helpful when navigating the workplace.
HubSpot Digital Marketing Course:
Hubspot Academy courses are great for anyone wanting to uplevel or start their career in marketing or social media. Because of this the Digital Marketing Course is a great one to start with. At the end of the course you’ll have an opportunity to get a certification too.
Anyone in a creative field will want to check out the Adobe certifications that you can add to your resume. Whether you are a marketer seeking an Adobe Express certification, or a graphic designer ready to be certified in Illustrator, this is the place to do that.
Build Your Excel Skills by LinkedIn Learning:
Excel is a useful tool for a plethora of positions. If you aren’t familiar with all that Excel can do, or need to brush up on your knowledge, this course would be great for you.
Like I mentioned in the beginning, finding out what programs that a job position requires knowledge in is key. One that I see a lot of is Notion. It’s a program dedicated to organizing the workplace and increasing productivity.
If you have any other programs you’d like to learn more about, usually the program’s website offers introductory courses. If they don’t you should be able to find some in those learning platforms I shared earlier.
Final Thoughts On The Best Online Courses To Boost Your Resume
When it comes to the job hunt, being able to set yourself apart from the competition is key. These online courses can not only do that but also improve your skills in a way that will be useful for employers.
I hope you’ve found a few courses to get started on that will beef up your resume. Let me know which ones you plan on taking.
About the Author
Kelly graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations and a minor in Journalism. Even though it took her a little while to find her career path, she was always meant to be in Communications. She remembers writing poems and songs when she was a little girl and pitching to my parents the reasons why I should have a cell phone when I was a teenager. She currently has a blog (budding-joy.com) where she talks about her weight-loss journey, mental health and personal development. Her hope is to encourage and inspire readers and let them know they are not alone. Reading blog posts like that are what helped her in tough times and she wants to pay it forward. She loves dance fitness, listening to music, and creating layouts in her bullet journal. She's a big fan of planning, especially when cute notebooks and pens are involved. Her dream job has changed so much over the years; right now she'd love to co-own a dance studio.
Website: budding-joy.com