How to List Online Courses on Your Resume

A curriculum is the first point of contact with potential employers, so it’s crucial to make it just right. Remember that courses you’ve taken and certifications you’ve earned are the important parts of every professional resume. Each course gives your potential employer a better understanding of the person you are and it doesn't mean because the course is not an online MBA, that it does not matter.

Online courses, however, often represent a challenge for candidates and employers alike. If a candidate fails to showcase them appropriately, a board deciding on their skills and expertise might find the listed online courses irrelevant, and even unreliable.

Here is a step-by-step guide to help you list the online courses on your resume in a way that will attract all the right attention and help you get the job you are dreaming of.

Step 1: Choose trustworthy courses

Many business owners and HR managers perceive online courses as relevant sources of information and skills required for the personal and professional development of a candidate. However, in spite of that fact, you must be aware that some employers might still value online training less than any real-life course you might have taken. Take this information into account, and choose some of the courses provided by trustworthy, well-known sites such as Lynda, Coursera, Udemy, or Udacity. These names inspire trust and the feeling of security, so showcasing their courses in your resume can bring you only positive “points”.

Step 2: Showcase relevant courses only

Are you a person with many interests and hobbies, someone who is always on the lookout for the next thing you can learn? These traits can help you really stand out in an interview, but stop your hand before you end up listing all your online courses in your curriculum. Employers are fundamentally interested in skills and expertise you can bring to a position you’re applying for, so showcase only online certifications that are relevant for your application. Avoid listing any beginner and entry-level courses. If an opportunity presents itself, you can always talk about your rise from a beginner to a pro when your job interview gets set up.

Step 3: Give your certifications a section of their own

Online course certifications are the result of your hard work and dedication to studying and improving your knowledge outside of formal education. This is why they deserve their own section in your resume and you should never add these courses to the existing “Education” segment. Every section in your curriculum needs a catchy, polished headline, so avoid naming your courses section simply “(Online) Courses”. Options such as Professional Development, Certifications, or Professional Training will look a lot better on your resume.

Step 4: Elaborate on what you’ve learned

There’s nothing that makes your skills and certifications really pop like providing context that gives them “weight” and value. In practice, this means that you should never provide a mere list of courses and certifications. Take your time to plan and write what you’ve learned from each course, what you managed to implement in your professional journey so far, and which skills you plan to develop further.

Step 5: Size matters, as well as the placing

Last but not least, be careful which position in your resume you intend to leave for listing online courses, and how much space it will take up. As mentioned previously, online course certifications should have their own section, and it should ideally be placed somewhere between Work Experience and Formal Education. Courses represent the organic link between the two, as they connect your desire to learn with developing skills you can use in your work. As for the font size, make sure not to make it too small (missing the opportunity to give your certifications more value), nor to big (as your work experience should always be in focus in your curriculum).

Showcase your best assets

A professional, transparent, well-written resume can make it or break it when it comes to any job application. Showcasing your abilities and strengths should tell your future employers you’re a valuable expert who can contribute to the team, so make sure to create a CV that’s clean-cut, readable, and professional. Keep your curriculum regularly updated, and list your online courses according to the advice given above. Look for spelling errors, check grammar and punctuation, and your resume will be sure to leave a lasting impression.

About the author

Cathy Baylis is a freelancer at best essay writing service and a writer specializing in personal growth, career development, and leadership. She is also a part-time contributor for https://bestessayservicesreview.com/ and best essay writing service reviews. She loves sharing her interests with readers, and she has something to say, for sure.

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