Upskill & Advance Your Career in Today’s Job Market

The job market is more competitive than ever, and one of the main differences between working 30 years ago and now is the sheer pace of change.

In some industries, CPD — or Continuous Professional Development — is built into their professional requirements. But for most of us, there are workshops, webinars, as well as a host of online and in-person learning platforms to choose from when we want to upskill. By adding technological expertise or deepening your knowledge on a subject, you put yourself in a much better position to earn a promotion or find a new job, which is why upskilling is so important for your career growth.

1. Online Learning Platforms

There are many online learning platforms available, giving you access to short courses, diplomas and even degrees. Choose one that aligns best with what you wish to study, how long want to spend, and what you’re prepared to pay. Here, we’ll explore two great options, Coursera and Udemy.

Coursera

If you’re looking for courses accredited by universities and colleges all over the world — without the hefty tuition price tag — Coursera might be the one for you. Offering courses in a huge range of subjects, from computer science and graphic design to data or social science, Coursera was founded on the principle that top-quality education should be available to everyone no matter where they live.

The key to Coursera is its flexibility. All courses are pre-recorded and fully remote, allowing students to complete their courses at their own time and pace. Many have start and end dates, giving students a bit more structure and a deadline to work towards.

Udemy

Udemy is geared towards students wanting to learn from individual instructors who create and publish courses, rather than partnering with institutions. This gives you access to an enormous variety of courses in niche and specific skills.

Udemy courses are also flexible and asynchronous, and you can buy them individually or by subscription. Offering all its courses remotely, students can complete their learning in their own time and at their own pace. If you need a deadline to encourage you to complete something difficult, you likely won’t find it here.

2. Professional Certifications

Many institutions offer further education, outside of college and university. Here, we’ll explore the benefits of LinkedIn Learning and industry-specific certification from various software companies and organisations.

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn is a powerful professional network geared towards helping facilitate professional relationships. LinkedIn Learning — its professional development arm — offers free and paid courses geared towards improving the hiring prospects of its subscribers. After completing LinkedIn Learning courses, you can easily add them to your profile giving prospective employers visibility into your dedication to continual education.

LinkedIn Learning courses cover a wide range of topics, in 7 languages (English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and Brazilian Portuguese), making them widely accessible.

Industry-specific certifications

Microsoft, Google, Meta and Adobe are among the many that offer courses in using their products more effectively. By taking courses, you can easily showcase your proficiency in the software or processes, backing up any claims your CV or resume may have made.

• SEO, look into courses by Ahrefs Academy and SEMRush Academy.
• Project managers can upskill in Scrum and Agile by working through the Scum Alliance catalogue.
• IT can look at courses from Cisco, (ISC)², or CompTIA, among many others.
• Marketing, look at Hubspot or Hootsuite. If you’re working in big corporations, you could look at courses from SAP.

3. Workshops & Bootcamps

For those looking for more detailed, intensive or immersive courses, bootcamps and workshops might be just the thing. Offering a combination of learning and application, these are ideal for the hands-on learner.

General Assembly Bootcamp

The General Assembly Bootcamp offers an immersive learning experience for those looking to upskill in tech and coding specialties. Their courses are typically full-time for 6-12 weeks, combining hands-on learning and real-world application of the newly acquired skills. Courses are designed in collaboration with industry experts and are constantly updated as the technological landscape changes.

Local community colleges and universities

Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutes — or universities might be a better fit if online learning isn’t for you. If a full degree or diploma isn’t on the cards, these institutions often offer workshops and bootcamps geared towards short-term learning and upskilling.

In Australia, colleges like Monash University’s Monash Innovation offer boot-camps in areas like fintech, healthtech, and social impact, while the University of Melbourne’s Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship runs programmes like the Venture Catalyst Bootcamp for aspiring entrepreneurs.

4. Mentorship & Networking

There is a lot to be learned from those who have gone before you. From professional associations and groups to mentoring programmes, look out for opportunities to learn from veterans in your industry.

Professional associations and groups

In every industry and profession, there are those with a lot to teach and those willing to learn. Find professional associations and networking groups in your industry and make use of any mentoring opportunities that come your way. LinkedIn, Facebook, and professional sites, for example, CIMA, are good places to look.

Mentorship programmes

Some may find a mentor in a boss or supervisor, whereas others may have to look further. Remember: mentoring takes energy and time, so if you’re asking someone to mentor you, be prepared to show you are taking their advice to heart. Mentors are a great way to see into the future while learning from (and hopefully avoiding) any of the mistakes they made along the way.

5. Self-Directed Learning

Remember, there’s much to be learned from books, journals, podcasts, and webinars, many of which can also be learned in snippets of your downtime.

Books and Journals

Thousands of books are published each year on topics worth learning. Find the ones that resonate with you by asking colleagues, mentors, and friends for recommendations. Remember that listening to audio books is a great way to absorb information while doing something else, like driving, walking or housework.

Peer-reviewed journals are also a great way to keep up with changes, especially in scientific or medical industries. If you don’t know where to start, have a look at Consensus, an AI-powered academic search engine that makes finding the right journal articles much simpler for non-academics.

Podcasts and Webinars

Still looking to learn? Podcasts are a great way to take in bite-size bits of information in your spare time. Search topics on your podcast app to find channels to listen to. Try a few different ones related to your industry or area of interest until you find something that sticks.

Webinars are also a wonderful way to learn from experts. Keep an eye on LinkedIn — follow experts in your industry — and sign up to attend webinars on topics you’re interested in.

The working world is competitive, but staying up-to-date with your knowledge and skills is a great way to stay ahead of the curve. Through a combination of short courses, certifications, bootcamps, mentorships, and podcasts, we hope this list will give you something to think about and access to a lot to learn.

If you’re looking to level up your job search, reach out to our recruiters. We’re ready and waiting to put you in touch with hiring managers in companies all over the world. With the right combination of attitude and skills, you might be around the corner from your next dream job.