Author: Mike Scaletti
It's always valuable to gain new skills that will make you more desirable to employers, and one of the best ways to do that is to gain a certification that you can add to your resume. This is especially true if you are between jobs currently and looking to increase your chances of landing a great gig!
Just remember, not all online certification programs are created equal. Some can be relatively expensive, while other free options might be lacking in quality. We have taken a look at each of these certification sources, and they all offer high-quality and free certification programs.
Cybrary
Cybrary focuses primarily on cybersecurity, which is one of the fastest growing industries in the nation, but they also offer tons of paid or free certifications in everything from project management to C++ programming. According to their website, they are "the fastest growing, fastest-moving catalog in the industry. By working with an elite community of instructors, experts, and thought leaders, as well as cutting-edge hands-on learning providers, we deliver relevant and high-quality content that is accessible anytime, anywhere."
Amazon
Amazon offers numerous free certification programs to set you up to succeed in the modern business world where cloud computing services like Amazon Web Services are becoming more and more prevalent. With a focus on AWS, Machine Learning, and AI, built by the creators of AWS, these programs will help get you ready for the workplace of today.
Udemy
Udemy is massive. It is the world's largest center for online learning, with over 155,000 courses. If there is a topic you're interested in learning about, it is very likely someone on Udemy has created a course for you, and most of them are very high quality, taught by professionals in their field. While the vast majority of Udemy courses do cost money, they are usually low cost if you get them on sale, and sometimes you can find free courses as well.
Hubspot Academy
Hubspot Academy is a great option for people who are looking to expand their skillset with online certifications. Professionally focussed and offering everything from quick, practical courses to comprehensive certifications, Hubspot is one of the most popular platforms for acquiring sought-after business skills. And best of all, it's 100% free!
freeCodeCamp
I used to make jokes about needing to know how to code in order to be a barista in the Bay Area, but the truth is knowing how to code will open innumerable doors for your career pursuits, and freeCodeCamp is one of the best places to learn. There are a lot of coding boot camps out there, but freeCodeCamp has a leg up in that it is entirely online, free, and of very high quality.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn has made it easy for organizations and professionals to offer courses and certifications through the largest professional social media platform in the world. While not all of the courses are free, many of them are, and given the overall quality, it is WELL worth your while to take the time to search them out. Whatever your industry might be, LinkedIn learning can likely provide a certification that will help you land your next great job.
There are many other options out there for gaining certifications, and if you have the time and commitment they are absolutely worth acquiring and adding to your resume. Good luck out there, and remember, The Job Shop is always here to help you plan your career and give you that leg up in your job search!