8 reasons an online course can boost your career and even change your life!
8 reasons an online course can boost your career and even change your life!
There was a time when having a degree was enough to get your CV to the top of the pile. Add in some relevant work experience and you would bag an interview. Sadly, things aren’t what they used to be.
Over the past decade we have seen a steady rise in the number of graduates entering the UK job market, and there are now 14 million of them to compete against. With a bigger, better pool to pick from, employers are demanding more from their candidates. So how can you make sure you stand out from the crowd?
One way to make an impact and improve your career prospects is to take a relevant online course. According to research by Coursera in conjunction with University of Pennsylvania and University of Washington, 72% of people who had completed an online course enjoyed career benefits. A further 43% reported improved candidacy for a new job, while 26% landed a great new gig.
Whether you’re entering the workforce for the first time and want to bulk up your CV, you’re looking to upskill, or you want to change careers entirely, taking an online course can help you achieve your goals.
Here’s how.
1. Online courses looks great on you CV
If you’re using the course as a catalyst for a career change, make sure it has prominence on your CV. Don’t stick it at the bottom, along with your passion for country walks and cooking and don’t add it to your work experience. Create an ‘industry experience’ section, where you can give more detail about the course, what you learnt and why that makes you different from the average candidate. It’s guaranteed to grab attention.
2. Online courses create value
When employers or recruiters are looking at potential candidates, what they really want to know is, can you add value to their company? Completing an online course is a clear way to let them know the relevant skills you have, and why this makes you a valuable asset.
3. Online courses show initiative
It isn’t just the qualification that will get your foot in the door, taking the initiative to study by yourself shows potential employers your drive and determination.
4. Online courses are flexible
The beauty of online learning is that no matter where you live, or how busy you are, you can do it anywhere and at any time. Whether you live in rural Scotland, have a large family, a menagerie of exotic animals or a demanding job, you can fit your course around your lifestyle, and take as long as you need to complete the course. It also means you can study in your pyjamas, which is always a bonus.
5. Online courses are varied
There are an incredible variety of online courses to pick from, so chances are you will find one to suit your needs and your niche. From the environment to education and hospitality to health, decide want you want to do with your career and then find the course to help you get there.
6. Online courses make you interesting
Ever been in an interview where you have struggled to come up with solid examples of why you are right for the job, and why they should employ you? Now you can talk about your online learning experience. Explain why you took the course, what knowledge you gained and what you can do now that you couldn’t do before.
7. Online courses are good for networking
Yes, you will be learning remotely, but in the online world there is no such thing as remote. Online learning is a great opportunity to network with like-minded people on the same course, as well as the professors. So reach out and make an effort to connect with them. Creating a community will not only help motivate you, it could lead to your next job.
8. Online learning can change your life
It might sound a bit ‘new age’, but it’s true. Online learning will increase your skills, confidence, motivation and employability. Find the right course that fits your ambitions and your learning style and you can change your career, and your life.
Click here to view the latest Supply Chain and Procurement courses available on the Supply Chain Online Course Board.