When searching for a new hire, different employers look for other things, but they're all trying to answer the same overarching question: can this individual add value to my business? As a strong potential candidate, it's your job to help them reach the correct conclusion. Setting yourself apart from the crowd can be challenging, but displaying your completion of relevant online courses certification is a great starting point. With that in mind, here are three reasons why you should add your certification to your resume: 1. It makes for a better interview Employers use interviews to gauge the value you can add to their company, and it's essential to set yourself apart from the other applicants. Not every day an interviewer sees an online course with certificates on a resume (though it is becoming more common). Including relevant online coursework can help you stand out. It's unique and requests conversation, so be prepared to answer questions. You could expect to be asked: What drove you to enroll in these courses and further your education? What knowledge did you gain from the courses? What can you do now that you couldn't do before? I had an additional online certificate program to differentiate myself from other job applicants, giving me the confidence to apply to more advanced positions. It really boosted my CV! It demonstrated my motivation because the certificate was earned in my free time. 2. It displays relevant, standout skill sets Applicants often need help conveying what they can do for a company. Speaking confidently about a skillset that you've developed can help guide interviewers in the right direction. Online courses with a certificate on your CV supply a clear-cut example of what you know and can get done. Online course certifications are also a great way to display unique skills that set you apart from other qualified candidates, which is becoming increasingly critical as more and more companies look for candidates with diverse experience. For instance, if you're a marketing professional, it can be beneficial to highlight data analysis skills. These skills may even help you negotiate a higher salary. According to the report, often, the introduction of a single hybrid skill can increase salaries by up to 40%. Are you looking to add unique skill sets to your resume? Try Unschool's online certificate programs to upskill yourself. 3. It shows character Enrolling in online certified programs, in and of itself, is impressive. It shows personal drive and discipline, intellectual maturity, curiosity, and a strong willingness to learn—all of which are important to employers. It's challenging for interviewers to gauge these qualities, but it's what they're trying to do. They want to see that you're willing to go the extra mile because that shows passion, which indicates value. Bear in mind, though, that this only applies if you can talk about what you learned and how it's relevant to the position. But how will you add online course certification to your resume? One of the best ways to incorporate online courses with certification into your resume is using a cover letter. It lets you connect with a recruiter or hiring manager on a personal level and is a great place to discuss the professional skills you've acquired and how they relate to the position. You can even link to the course profiles if you're submitting your resume electronically. A second option is to create an entirely new section on your resume, such as "skills and objectives," "personal advancement," or "professional development." It can be especially useful if you haven't completed a degree program or if you're applying for a job that's unrelated to your degree. In any case, only include the courses you completed or earned a certificate in and the major takeaways of each. Please don't sell yourself short, but don't overdo it either. Be concise and ensure everything you include is relevant to the job.
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