10 amazing free online courses to improve your CV

In today’s post, we’re presenting the top 10 online courses, which teach different, yet powerful skills that will make your CV shine.

As a significantly difficult year comes to a close, many of us are applying for our next job. When it comes to writing, those few pages that can make or break the deal, it all comes down to that one thing that sets you apart. Here is my list of 10 online courses that can polish up your CV.

1. Project Management Certification by Oxford Home Study Centre

Project Management has become one of the most sought after positions for individuals in any field; from NGO work to engineering, every field has this position in one form or another. With thousands of jobs opening up in this field, getting a Project Management certification will definitely make your CV shine.

The Oxford Home Study Centre offers a free Project Management course that introduces the basics. It takes approximately 20 hours to complete online and covers project management fundamentals, the role of a project manager, and the life cycle of a project. At the end of the course, students receive a certificate from the OHSC.

2. Introduction to International Humanitarian Law (IHL)

This course is offered by the International Committee of Red Cross for graduates looking to work in social science or developmental fields. It is a self-paced, five-hour course, that provides you with a free certificate at the end. You will learn how and when international bodies and laws work in order to regulate, serve and protect individuals who are amidst international or internal conflict.

3. Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python)

The IT sector has become the most profitable field of work in the past decade. IT is the future and in any field your computer skills can set you apart. The course, started by the University of Michigan, aims to teach everyone the basics of programming computers using Python. This short course covers the basics of computer languages and how to construct a program from a simple set of instructions in Python.

4. English, Spanish and Foreign Languages Duolingo

Some of you might have already heard of Duolingo. The platform offers to teach you any language you choose if you can spare just five minutes per day. Learning a foreign language is no longer an obscure luxury, and has become a  mandatory part of schools worldwide.

Languages not only showcase your ability to learn but also make you more employable in every field imaginable. Duolingo has multiple languages to learn from and an app that helps you track your progress. This is a must for everyone reading this article.

• 5 Tips to Learn or Improve a foreign Language from home

5. How to Start a Startup, Sam Altman at Stanford University

Not limiting its learning outcomes only to startup enthusiasts, this course explores arenas that are essential for every organisation, making it an invaluable addition to any CV. The fact that the course is offered by an institution as prestigious as Stanford is also a plus when it comes to your CV.

Initially presented at Stanford in Autumn 2014, this lecture designed by Y Combinator’s president, Sam Altman, is spread across 20 lessons and features exceptional entrepreneurs, including PayPal’s Peter Thiel, LinkedIn’s Reid Hoffman, and Airbnb’s Brian Chesky. You’ll learn the basics of user growth, fundraising, operations and management, and much more.

6. EU Policy and Implementation: making Europe work!

Offered by the Leiden University, Netherlands, this course – while not the most universal in its usage – is still one of the most sought-after online courses out there. The course is vital for any individual aiming to work in politics, aid, development or any social science. You will learn how the European Union prepares and decides on policies, how the policy is transferred to member states, and how they are implemented by various authorities, including regional and local governments.

7. Introduction to Public Speaking

Designed by the University of Washington, this course is for everyone, from a fresher wanting to learn how to present their projects to those aiming to become accomplished lawyers, journalists and politicians. The course helps you become a more effective and confident public speaker. You’ll learn to design and deliver basic arguments, informative presentations, and persuasive, complex debates, all within 10 weeks.

8. Viral Marketing and How to Create Contagious Content

Part and parcel of every organisation, no matter how small or big, marketing is an asset for every job aspirant. The course offered by Wharton explains how things catch on and can help you apply those ideas to become a more effective marketer. In a world of overnight success, where a single video can shoot any company or individuals into stardom, this short four-hour course is well worth the effort.

9. Supporting Victims of Domestic Violence

Why is this course for you? Simply put, this course is a worthy addition to not only your CV but also your real world skills. With a horrific 20% rise in domestic violence – meaning 15 million more cases globally in just one year – this course can lead someone getting the support they need.

It is a short course, offered by the University of Sheffield, England, designed for individuals aspiring to work in aid and development. You will enhance your knowledge of gender-based violence and all forms of domestic abuse.

Domestic violence is a global health issue that can take many forms and affect anyone. In this course, you will address the role of gender in domestic violence and learn to recognise the various forms of violence and abuse. You will reflect on the impact and understand your responsibilities as a health or social care worker. By the end of this course, you will feel more confident to help and support domestic violence victims and survivors.

10. CS50’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python

While the course caters more to individuals in a limited field, it is nonetheless extremely well designed, well taught and will definitely polish your CV. The course, offered by Harvard University, explores the concepts and algorithms at the foundation of modern artificial intelligence, delving into the ideas that give rise to technologies such as game-playing engines, handwriting recognition, and machine translation.

• What is Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning?

By course’s end, students emerge with experience in libraries for machine learning as well as knowledge of artificial intelligence principles that enable them to design intelligent systems of their own.