From Course to Career: How to Transform Online Learning into Job Opportunities

With many organizations moving to skills-based hiring, there’s never been a better time to invest in your personal development and learn new skills. Academic qualifications are becoming less vital to various sectors, and if you can keep up-to-date with the most in-demand skills, you’ll position yourself for career success. In this article, careers experts from Jobseeker discuss how to translate your training courses and personal development into job opportunities, including tips on showcasing your learning in your job search.

Why online training is becoming more important

Employers are increasingly prioritizing skills over formal qualifications. This makes personal development and proactive, continuous learning even more powerful than ever. The world of work is changing at a rapid pace, with Artificial Intelligence (AI), flexible working patterns and emerging industries and technology creating demand for new skills.

Research from the World Economic Forum suggests that 44% of workers’ core skills will change in the next five years, and six in 10 employees will require re-training in the same period. Skills like coding, data analysis, AI/machine learning, problem-solving, adaptability and creative thinking are all predicted to become more essential in the coming years.

The study also identifies curiosity and lifelong learning as ‘skills’ that are growing in importance. This further emphasises the value of being proactive with your learning and development. Online training courses offer a valuable resource for preparing for the future work landscape, while also adding skills that you can put to good use in your career today. 

How to showcase your personal development in your job search

If you’ve taken part in online training, you’ll want to showcase it in your job search. Employers will be impressed by your commitment to personal development and your ability to take the initiative and be proactive about your learning. Take a look at the following steps for showing your online training journey in your job search activities:

Mentioning online training in your CV

Your CV is the ideal place to show employers that you’ve been investing in your career development through online training courses. You can reference courses you’ve completed in the additional information section at the end of your CV, under ‘Certifications and Training’. If the courses you’ve taken have an official accreditation or are from a recognised professional industry organisation, you might prefer to list them in your education section.

Using training as a networking opportunity

Taking part in online training is an opportunity to connect with peers and instructors, and expand your professional network. Online workshops and webinars offer platforms for meeting new people who might open up career opportunities in the future. Be sure to engage with your courses, joining discussions, following up with instructors and connecting with fellow participants wherever possible.

Leveraging LinkedIn to showcase your skills

LinkedIn is the ideal place to show your skills profile and demonstrate the impact of your professional development. Employers are likely to check your LinkedIn profile before making any hiring decisions, so ensure it’s up-to-date and showcases your best work. Add skills to your profile that colleagues and peers can verify, and list your training and certifications on your Learning History page.

Building a skills portfolio

While portfolios are traditionally favored by creative professionals as a platform to showcase their creative output, they can also be useful for any jobseeker who wants to highlight their relevant experience and skills. The format gives you more space to expand on your achievements and experience than a CV traditionally allows. When creating your portfolio, make a section for online training that gives you the chance to list your training history and outline the skills you’ve learned.

Also Read: Best Online Personal Development Courses

Tips for using your online training to advance your career

Online training isn’t just a useful way to boost your job applications. It can have wider implications for advancing your career. This can either happen within your current role and industry, or in a new career pathway. Below you can find a guide to using your online training to take the next steps in your career journey:

Consider your career pathway

The first step to embarking on a training programme that advances your career is to consider your career pathway and understand what you want to achieve. If you want to move up in your current career, identify the skills that can take you to the next level. If you’re considering a change of career, think about the skills you’ll need to equip yourself with to become a viable candidate in that sector.

Research in-demand skills

If you’re unsure what to focus on with your online training, spend some time researching in-demand skills, either for your sector or within industries you might consider moving into. The most highly valued skills are changing all the time, so it’s important to be aware of the trends and choose a direction that keeps you relevant to prospective employers.

Create a plan for your learning

A proactive approach to personal development requires a carefully thought-out plan. Tying your online training to wider career objectives can help you to remain focused and build skills that complement each other.

Review CV examples

If you’re looking to start a new career, CV examples can give you a strong idea of the skills employers are looking for. Search example CVs that match the job title of the role you’re considering, to gain an understanding of the skills required for the role. This can help you to create a wish list of skills that will guide and shape your online learning.

Tailor your job applications

When you’re applying for jobs, be sure to tailor your applications to match the requirements listed in the job description. This means referencing the most suitable training and development that match the skills the employer is seeking. You can include a more complete record of your learning in your LinkedIn profile or portfolio, but your CV should showcase only your most relevant training courses.