Note: This list was originally gathered by the amazing team over at The Everygirl. See the original post here.
If you’re feeling stressed and anxious about the current state of the world and the public health crisis, I’m right there with you. It can be difficult to stay focused on work when there is so much going on in the world, but I’ve found it very helpful to focus on small tasks and accomplishments to provide some sense of normalcy. As stressful as this time is, it’s actually a really great opportunity to update your resume and invest in your human capital. In other terms, it’s a great time to take an online course or take a few minutes to improve your resume. Even setting aside a few minutes a day to stimulate your brain and learn something new can make a big impact on your mood by providing a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, acquiring a certification will give you something to add to your resume to make it more effective.
Certifications and specialized training courses act as a great way to set you apart from the crowd when applying for jobs. When hiring managers are comparing candidates, sometimes small details such as certifications and/or specialized training can make all the difference. If you’ve taken the time to further educate yourself in your field, this shows motivation and ambition which are important traits to highlight on your resume.
Here are 10 free online certifications you can get while you shelter in place. As stressful as this time is, take advantage of the opportunity to boost your resume!
Marketing
HubSpot Academy’s Inbound Certification
Whether you’re a marketing professional or just starting your own side hustle, HubSpot Academy’s free courses cover everything from SEO and content strategy to lead generation. You’ll learn how to attract loyal followers and convert them into paying customers through inbound marketing — and get a certification to add to your website!
CFU’s Digital Marketing Certificate
Colorado Free University offers a certificate in Digital Marketing and Social Media strategies upon completion of a dozen free courses. Although there are a few required credits, you’re able to select the majority of the courses to tailor to your interests. Course options range from deep dives into specific social platform to general strategies for content creation.
Strategy
Google offers free training and a Google Partner certification for anyone interested in learning more about their AdWords platform and all of the advertising products that are built on it. Courses include analytics for beginners and advanced users, as well as an in-depth e-commerce class.
Alison Project Management Diploma
Project management is applicable to almost any industry, and this course from Alison covers everything you need to apply the best techniques to your own job. Begin with the basics and best practices of successful project management before diving into a project management case study to tie everything you learned together.
Creative
Color Theory Certification from Alison
Understanding the concepts of color theory is an important skill for anyone working in visual arts. After learning the basics of color relationships and the technical aspects of each, you’ll be able to apply the knowledge to any design project.
RMIT University’s The Art of Photography
Whether you’re taking photos for your website, social media accounts, or product shots for an Etsy shop, better photography skills are a huge asset in the digital age. Upon completion of RMIT’s course, you’ll have a Certificate of Achievement to highlight your knowledge of DSLR hardware and post-production editing.
Creative Commons is an organization dedicated to making the sharing of content easier — and legal. Supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, their certificate program gives creatives insight into the relationship between your work and applicable licenses and public domain usage. You’ll also get access to CC’s network, which includes YouTube, Flickr, and Vimeo.
Technology
General Assembly’s Dash
General Assembly’s Dash course covers everything you need to know about the basics of coding. Start off with a personal website, then move on to creating a blog theme. Even if you aren’t in a tech industry, knowledge of HTML and CSS is a great addition to almost every resume.
MIT’s Introduction to Computer Programming
Not many people can cite MIT on their resume, but through edX.org, you can enroll in the university’s accredited Intro to Computer Programming course and, upon completion, have a very impressive MIT course on your resume. You’ll learn about programming languages and data structures, and you’ll be introduced to more in-depth concepts as well.
WordPress is a favorite platform for web developers because it is so easy to customize. WordPress Academy offers a 30 day free trial to their course library, which includes beginner and advanced classes with recognizable certifications. Impress your boss by updating your company’s blog, or start your own freelancing side hustle.