How to Use Online Courses in Your Job Search

1. Regard online courses as a supplement. Traditional degrees are mandatory for many professions. Be realistic about your qualifications.
2. Research local options. On-campus education still carries more weight and prestige than online options. Check out community colleges, local universities, and continuing education programs as well.
3. Strengthen your social–media profiles. List your online learning on LinkedIn and other sites. All networking efforts help.
4. Consider releasing your information. Recruiters for some companies are now purchasing the names of high-performing students from Coursera. You may want to opt-in.
5. Complete the program. Online courses have extremely high dropout rates. Just fulfill all the requirements of an online class.  Demonstrate how well you can manage time and pursue your goals.
6. Take a new direction. Online courses are an affordable way to explore different subjects. If you’re working in a struggling industry, consider taking courses in a line of work where hiring trends are on the rise instead.
7. Check out corporate training. Companies are starting to advertise their own MOOCs to the public. It’s a way for them to lower their hiring costs.  It also enables you to make valuable connections and obtain the necessary training. 
8. Participate in discussion forums and use other communication tools. Staying active will help you learn more about the subject matter.  It also helps you to get to know your professors and fellow students. You may be able to get additional references and job leads.  Also, you can take online classes with people from around the world.
9. Use a variety of job–hunting methods. Studies show that candidates who use multiple approaches to finding employment enjoy the highest success rates. While you’re studying online, remember to network.  Attend your job club, visit job boards, go to job fairs.  Continue all of your other professional activities as well.

Advance your career by taking advantage of the growing opportunities in online education. Many of them are free! It’s one more way to make yourself desirable to potential employers.  You can also expand your skills and knowledge base.