Are you looking for free online courses to help you launch a home-based career or business? Then keep reading for a huge list of resources!
Online learning allows you to learn at your own pace and
convenience, and as such it has become the new standard. It also enables you to
learn at any time and from any location. Now that the Coronavirus has confined
us to our homes, online learning is more important than ever.
Why is taking online classes important? A growing number of
businesses are allowing their employees to work from home using the available
technical resources at their disposal. This has freed up a lot of time for many
of us to engage in other pursuits. And in this situation, attending online
classes may be the most significant thing a person can do with their life.
What are Online Courses?
An online class is a class that takes place over the
internet. They're usually run through a learning management system, which
allows students to monitor their course syllabus and academic progress, as well
as connect with the instructor. Online courses are for people who want to learn
a new skill but don’t have the time. These online courses are usually
self-regulated and cover just about every skill, topic, or interest you can
think of.
List of Free Online Courses with Certificates
Certifications are a simple method to add abilities to your
resume and increase your worth as a candidate. While not all certification
programs are free, there are a number of quality credentials that won't cost
you a lot of money or time. That said, here is a list of free online courses
for every job seeker.
1. Udemy
Udemy is an online learning platform with a selected
assortment of best business and technical courses. The courses help individuals
of all sizes and types toward the road ahead. They have over 155,000 video
courses on career and personal skills. This is ideal for those who cannot
commit to a certain online school schedule because with Udemy, you can learn at
your own pace, whether in mobile or desktop.
2. LinkedIn Learning Certifications
Formerly known as Lynda, LinkedIn has become one of the
largest catalogs of online video courses. The course content is incredibly
fascinating to study, with videos, quizzes, interactive lessons, and more. For
learning on the move, LinkedIn Learning provides Android and iOS applications.
Moreover, their certifications are maybe the greatest and
most valuable feature. You might use them in your LinkedIn profile to demonstrate your abilities to potential
employers. You may also download and print the certificates. They have a free 1
month trial with more than 16,000 available online courses.
3. Free Code Camp
With technological advancements happening each year, it’s
important to hone your skills further during your free time. Free Code Camp can
teach you the fundamentals of HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and GitHub, among other
things. Coding is a vital and in-demand technological talent nowadays. In fact,
obtaining one of these free certificates increases the value of nearly every
employee to a firm.
4. Google Digital Garage
Through Google Digital Garage, you will have access to free
online courses and learn new skills with easy-to-digest video tutorials.
Afterwards, you can test your knowledge with a quick quiz. All you have to do
is pass the final 40-question exam and get certified. By completing all modules
in The Google Digital Garage, you'll receive an official Google Digital
Marketing certification.
5. Coursera
Coursera is a free online learning platform that provides massive open online courses (MOOCs) from colleges. Every Coursera course includes pre-recorded video lectures that you may watch whenever you want. Coursera has partnered with institutions to provide master's degree and specialty programs. You may have a look at a variety of college courses without any difficulty. The top online course categories from Coursera are arts and humanities, business, and computer science.
How to Add Online Courses on Your Resume (and LinkedIn Profile)
Free online certificates not only improve your skills and
knowledge; they also make your resume more appealing to both private and
government employers. You may learn from industry professionals without paying
any money by taking free online courses. Earn quick certifications that you can
add to your resume.
Including relevant courses that enhance in-demand abilities
will help you stand out from other candidates and demonstrate your dedication
to professional growth. You should provide this information in a well-organized
way that displays your qualifications. If you wish to add any online courses you've completed on your resume, you
may do so by following the procedures below:
1. Prioritize relevant coursework.
You must first assess the relevance of online courses before
determining whether or not to put them on your resume. Depending on the
positions you're looking for and their responsibilities, you may need to make
changes to your list. An online digital marketing certification, for example,
would be appropriate if you’re applying for a marketing specialist role.
However, you need to list an online course you took but prioritize listing the
relevant courses.
2. Show relatable skills.
Although introductory seminars are beneficial, including
them on your resume signals to others that you are not an expert in a certain
field, such as marketing, and may make you appear less experienced than you
are. Employers may be more receptive to your continuing education if you can
demonstrate how you've applied the new skills and information you've gained in
the job. Don't just list the classes you've taken. Give context and examples of
your accomplishments.
3. Organize your sections.
When listing online courses, one option is to include them
in your education section. Make sure your best educational achievement, such as
a college diploma, is prominently displayed. You may also make a separate
section on your resume for online education. Every resume is different; however,
this area should usually be at the bottom or around your education and skills
sections. Rename the section like "professional development" or
"certifications and training.”
4. Include completion dates.
To show how recently you participated in the training, you
usually simply need the year of completion. If you're presently enrolled in an
online course, you may indicate that it's "in progress" or add a
completion date. When mentioning courses, keep in mind that the date might also
indicate how current your skill set is.
5. Demonstrate how you put your skills into practice.
Recruiters would want to see how you put your abilities into
practice as it will help you make the case that your continuing education was
worthwhile. While your education is important, whether it's through online
courses or a university degree, what truly matters is how you've put your
education to use. Through this, the recruiter can see that you are putting your
newly acquired skills to work.
Moreover, as you're thinking about your responses to common interview questions, develop a list of questions concerning your studies. Think of questions that could be asked and prepare replies for each of them.
List Your Online Courses the Right Way with Help from
Experts
If you're looking for work, including certificates on your
resume will help you boost your credentials and catch the attention of hiring
managers. In many ways, certificates serve as proof of the expertise and skills
stated on your resume, allowing the hiring manager to verify them. Hence, it is
a must to include online classes on your resume.
Just make sure you do it wisely to communicate the correct impression about your ongoing education. After all, you trained tirelessly in your spare time in order to achieve these courses, and you owe it to yourself to make sure they count.