Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com.
When looking for a new job, you’re probably busy formatting your resume, meeting with career coaches, and customizing cover letters.
However, online learning is one critical step you might overlook when setting yourself apart from other job seekers.
Online learning can be a great way to differentiate yourself in the job market. Here are a few ways that job seekers can benefit from online courses.
Upskill
Online learning can be a great way to keep your skills current for your industry and set yourself apart from other candidates.
Industries are constantly changing. For example, what might have been a best practice in the 1990s may be outdated now.
Continuous learning is essential to keep your skills relevant and, depending on your profession, to ensure you maintain any licenses or certifications.
Change Careers
Online learning can also be instrumental to a successful career change. While many skills from one profession may overlap with another, a recruiter may not always make the connection.
By taking some online courses from places like LinkedIn Learning or HubSpot Academy, you can learn additional skills and more easily demonstrate your qualifications to make the transition.
Flexible Scheduling
One of the most important benefits of online learning is the flexibility in scheduling. As an adult, finding time to learn can be hard between a side hustle, filling out job applications, and balancing childcare.
Most online courses allow you to learn at your own pace. You can listen to audio files while cooking dinner or work on projects after the kids have gone to bed.
Ultimately, you have the power to learn at your own pace and when it works best for you.
Save Money
Maybe you’ve been dreaming of changing professions for some time, but you just don’t have the money to go back to school for a new degree (especially if you’re not currently working).
With online learning, you don’t necessarily have to go back to college.
Many online courses and boot camps offer more affordable means to acquire necessary skills and even career coaching to land your dream job. Some courses are even accepted by professional associations.
Use Online Learning to Boost Your Job Search
Looking for a job is never an easy task. However, online learning provides job seekers the flexibility, convenience, and affordability to upskill or pivot in their careers to land the role they want.