7 WAYS Online Learning can HELP your job search

As the job environment becomes more competitive, everyone is looking for for ways to increase their marketability and competitive edge. One way to quickly show an employer that you're ready for hire is to take an online course and use these seven strategies to leverage their impact.  As online courses continue to gain credibility, earning credentials are becoming a valuable tool in your job search. Even LinkedIn has a Learning component where you can take hundreds of courses - most for free. 

Check out these seven strategies to help you get ahead of the curve and show employers how savvy and competent you are.
 
1. Enhance your keywords. Make your résumé stand out when you’re applying for positions online. Include course titles and explanations that coincide with the job description of your desired position. Using the appropriate keywords will increase the chances of your being identified as a match by applicant tracking software systems.

2. Choose free courses from well-known education organizations. Taking courses offered by prestigious universities and well-known organizations can enhance credibility.  Lots of Massive Open Online Courses, or MOOCs are available from places like Stanford Online or edX started by Harvard and MIT.

3. Tailor your application.  Classes that are closely related to your chosen field are best. Tailor your job application, resume, and cover letter to each job opening. Don't just drop a bunch of courses in your resume, but work to ensure the courses are relevant to the jobs you're seeking and enhance your career plans.

4. Strengthen your social media profiles. List your online courses on LinkedIn and other social media platforms. They help recruiters learn more about the types of courses you've taken and what subject matter you're an expert in.

5. Complete the program. Set yourself apart by actually completing the class.  Many online courses have extremely high dropout rates. Just by fulfilling all the requirements of an online class, you’ll demonstrate how well you can manage time and pursue your goals.

6. Explore new career directions. Online courses are an affordable way to explore different subjects and even get certifications in unrelated careers.  Why does this work?  If you’re working in a struggling industry like hospitality or retail, it may help you pivot faster if you consider taking courses in a line of work where hiring trends are on the rise instead.  You can "test the waters" to see if you'd like career.  It's all about gaining clarity.

7. Participate in discussion forums and use other communication tools. Staying active in an online course that has a communication component can help you with your public speaking and meeting facilitation skills.  It's a total win-win.  You may also be able to get additional references and job leads while you take online classes with people from around the world, especially in a course with global participation.  I loved training to become a coach because my courses had students from all over the world.  It was an amazing growth opportunity for me.  

Advance your career by taking advantage of the growing opportunities in online education. Many of them are free! It’s just one more way to make yourself desirable to potential employers while you expand your skills and knowledge base.

It's also one of the reason I launched my Career Clarity Academy - this academy provides savvy professionals with tools and resources to take their careers to new levels.  Click Here to check it out. 

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