4 online courses to help you learn how to impress recruiters

The first impression you make with your resume and during the job interview is a make-or-break moment. Brush up your resume writing and communication skills with these 4 online courses while you wait to land your dream job.

Course: How to Write a Resume by The State University of New York (Coursera)

What it offers: 7 video lectures, 5 reading materials, and a sharable certification on course completion.

Time taken: About 5 hours.

Why we recommend it: This project-centred course is short and to the point.

Since a resume gives the first impression about the candidate to a potential employer, investing time in this course is a good idea. From dissecting individual sections of a resume to understanding how an employer approaches a stack of resumes, this course gives a well-rounded perspective on how to stand out from other applicants on paper.

Course: Improve Your English Communication Skills Specialization by Georgia Tech (Coursera)

What it offers: A boot camp of sorts, this is a 4-course specialization. Each course has its own set of tutorials, reading materials and resources, apart from a hands-on project which needs to be completed to earn the certificate.

Time taken: About 63 hours.

Why we recommend it: Good communication skills often become the difference between an appointment letter and a rejection letter. This specialization offers real-world value and is aimed at bettering the leaner’s professional communication skills, with business-related interactions in mind. There’s a lot to take back -- from the art of writing emails to speaking at meetings and interviews, giving presentations and networking online. The certificate is a bonus.

Course: The Complete Resume, LinkedIn & Get Your Dream Job Course! (Udemy)

What it offers: A three-in-one course where you work on three aspects that make you more employable. It has 281 lectures spread across 51 sections.

Time taken: About 12 hours.

Why we recommend it: This one is value for money. You learn to build a resume, create an impressive LinkedIn profile and take the first steps towards landing your dream job.

This popular career development course also focuses on important points that are often left out, like the right words to use while networking, bonding with the interviewer, negotiating your salary, switching careers and getting your LinkedIn profile to rank higher in searches. Award-winning MBA professor Chris Haroun is your guide in this course.

Course: Teamwork Skills: Communicating Effectively in Groups by University of Colorado Boulder (Coursera)

What it offers: 29 lectures, various reading resources and quizzes spread over four modules. There’s a certificate available on completing the course.

Time taken: Approximately 10 hours.

Why we recommend it: Teamwork is a crucial part of any profession; it’s something to be mastered if you want to be in leadership roles. Communicating with a group is a skill that needs to be worked on and sharpened, which this course dives into with an array of learning resources and competent instructors. You can develop a better understanding of conflict resolution, decision making, ideation and negotiation.