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Whether you've been in or out of the market for a while, the search for a new job can feel like a daunting task. While degrees and higher education will always be valued, you can still use other tools to help you become a more qualified and attractive applicant to employers.
One tool for becoming more marketable is self-paced education sites, such as lynda.com, udemy.com and coursera.org. These sites, along with many others, offer courses on any number of topics, allowing you to take classes taught by highly skilled professionals from the comfort of your home, on your own time. Granted, you won't receive a degree at the end, but you will receive the same training.
Here are four ways sites like these can help you in your job search:
Learn new skills
With the quick and ever-changing advancements in technology, some would-be job seekers can easily feel overwhelmed and under-skilled. Even if you don't know a lot about app or web development, advertising or marketing, for instance, these education sites have you covered. If you're reading job descriptions and feeling under-qualified, online classes can help you get up to speed.
Refine existing skills
Many job seekers are looking to grow their existing skillsets but may need some extra help or guidance to do so. Classes and tutorials offered online may help give you that extra edge over similarly qualified applicants. Whether it's learning how to master Excel or how to develop a business strategy, by expanding your skills and knowledge you'll better be able to impress those with hiring power.
Explore new areas of interest
Maybe you're ready to try something different and looking for an entirely new career. Making a dramatic career change can be scary, intimidating, and overwhelming, but don't let that stop you. Online resources and classes can help you explore new fields in a low-pressure environment to give you the confidence you need to take that huge leap of faith.
Get help in the job-seeking process itself
Once you're feeling confident in your abilities to meet the demands of the job description, the next step is to feel confident in how to present yourself, both in person and on paper. Fortunately, sites like Lynda, LinkedIn or Udemy also can help you write a resume or cover letter and coach you on how to interview and speak.
The benefits of using sites like these are seemingly endless. No matter your motivation for trying one of these sites, you'll find they are great resources in helping you learn new skills, refine existing skills, exploring new areas of interest, and for pursuing success in the workplace.
To begin your job search, check out KSL Jobs. With over 6,400 job listings from many well-recognized companies around the state, finding a new job has never been easier.
