5 tips to choose the right upskilling course for yourself

Today, with the confluence of new technologies shaping workplace trends, it has become imperative to level up your skill set. In fact, upskilling yourself is the only way left to stay relevant and future-proof your job.

All you have to do is pick a suitable online course to widen your spectrum of knowledge and acquire a plethora of futuristic skills.

The best part about these short-term upskilling courses is that you can pursue them without giving up on your current role and responsibilities. But, with so many e-learning platforms offering hundreds of lucrative courses, how do you choose the right option to advance in your career?

Here we have a few tips to make it easier for you to select a course that can be highly beneficial for your career. Continue to read to get a brief idea about each one of them.

1) First, decide the skill you want to learn

Before looking for accredited platforms and courses, decide the skill you wish to learn. You have to assess whether to gain a skill that can push your growth in the same domain or pick a skill that can facilitate your transition to a different career field. For instance, if you are a creative content writer, then you can pursue a course in SEO writing or technical writing to grow within the field of writing. Or, if social media is your newfound interest, then you can do a short-term course in social media marketing to thrive in the current highly digital landscape.

So, take some time to understand your own interests, passions and goals, and then choose a course accordingly.

2) Next, consider multiple online learning platforms
Once you are done deciding the skill you want to learn, you have to scroll through online learning platforms to look for a course that meets your interest. LinkedIn, Skill Share, Coursera, Udemy, EdX and Upgrad are some of the popular platforms that offer customised courses to help you specialise in a specific skill. However, do a bit of research on your own and browse through other online upskilling platforms as well to make an informed call.

You can also speak with the people or experts in your circle to find out which platform they prefer and why. Sometimes, someone else’s experience simplifies the decision-making process for us.

3) Don’t forget to compare the price, flexibility and quality of the course
Acquiring advanced skills usually comes at a price, quite literally. However, with the increasing competition among e-learning platforms, most of them are eager to offer their courses at pocket-friendly prices. In addition, many of them now support subscription-based models to prevent budget-related constraints from hampering your growth. Nonetheless, it’s essential to compare the total cost of learning on the platforms you are inclined towards, before choosing one.

Along with price, another factor that can influence your decision is the amount of flexibility a course offers. Simply put – it’s not going to be easy to engage in a short-term course while fulfilling your everyday 9-5 duties. Therefore, you need to select a course that can align perfectly with your work life and not act as a barrier in any manner. Numerous platforms offer the convenience to access their courses either on the weekends or at a time of your preference during the weekdays.

Lastly, evaluate the quality of the course you want to enrol in. You can do this by checking their video-based learning material, the experts they hire, and the syllabus as well as assessments listed in the course description.

4) Check the online reviews and ratings
Before selecting any particular platform and course, experts recommend checking their ratings and reviews. In an effort to stay transparent, most of the learning platforms allow users to talk about their experience and rate the services offered to them.

Reading the reviews posted by the previous learners will help you make the right call. Remember, one or two negative remarks shouldn’t influence your decision. However, if you see more negative reviews than the positive ones, then take it as a cue to move to a different platform.

5) Look for the certificate
Before signing up for a course, make sure that they promise to offer a certificate after the completion. Nowadays, almost every platform offers certificates for all its courses. But still, you must double-check to avoid any regrets. The details of the certificate are usually mentioned in the course description. After finishing the course, you can add this certificate to your resume to gain a competitive edge over other individuals and apply for a high-paying job.

Upskilling is the need of the hour, and we hope now you are ready to give a boost to your career by enhancing your skill set. Consider following the tips mentioned above and do a bit of research on your own to equip yourself with a course that can help you level up your game in today’s highly competitive employment sector.