Professional Development Courses that Will Boost Your Resume

Whether you’re looking for a new position within your field or changing careers, professional development courses are a great way to showcase your skills. Taking a training course also signals to employers and recruiters that you are self-motivated and driven, two qualities that are highly sought after in the workforce. 

When choosing a course, think about your end goal. If you simply want to learn a practical skill, such as learning a new software or understanding regulation changes affecting your industry, a short, very specific course will be suitable. If you want to leverage your professional development training to negotiate a higher salary or better position, look for robust courses that are recognized by an official accreditation body. 

There are multiple ways to undertake professional development training. Colleges offer professional certificates both in person and online, which often cost a fraction of a typical degree program. Depending on the topic, you can also find respected training courses offered through online certification programs. Many of these training programs are free or low-cost.

No matter what industry you are in, completing professional development training in any of the subject matters below will make you a stronger candidate for almost any position.  

Data Analysis

As more businesses rely on cloud storage to manage their systems, the amount of data generated has grown astronomically. Today, invoicing records, sales numbers, and marketing outcomes can produce information that can be vital to making important business decisions. 

However, this data is only valuable if it is interpreted and organized logically. As a result, more and more companies are seeking candidates with strong data analysis skills. A 2016 report by the Society of Human Resource Management predicted that nearly 60% of employers will require some form of data analysis skills within the next five years.

Taking a data analysis course will improve your ability to use databases such as SQL and Excel and create data visualizations such as graphs and dashboards. While most jobs will not require further knowledge than that, acquiring advanced skills in data analysis can lead to other lucrative employment opportunities.

Basic Cybersecurity

Nearly every company processes confidential data that could be a potential target for hackers. Cyber attacks are expensive. Companies incurred more than $4 million in damages in 2021. 

Without sufficient training, employees can become weak links for cybersecurity protocols. A fifth of all security breaches are due to compromised employee credentials. As hackers become more sophisticated, companies must invest heavily in security awareness training to ensure that their employees can avoid security risks.

By enrolling in a basic cybersecurity course, you are demonstrating to potential employers that you view IT security as importantly as they do. Your knowledge can also be a valuable resource for other employees who may be less confident with technology. 

Project Management

All work responsibilities include components of project management, from identifying and scheduling tasks to meeting deadlines. Even if you are not looking for a management position, taking a training course on project management improves your chances of landing a new job.   

If you are a professional project manager, earning credentials from the Project Management Institute can help you secure a higher salary. Specializing in a specific methodology, such as Agile or Waterfall, can also open doors.

Organizational Leadership

While technical skills and subject matter knowledge are important to employers, the vast majority are seeking candidates with well-developed soft skills. More than 92% of companies prioritize soft skills when making hiring decisions. However, candidates with soft skills are surprisingly rare. In the U.S., hiring managers report that nearly two-thirds of candidates are lacking in communication skill, critical thinking, or creativity. 

Luckily, soft skills are not innate and can be improved with training. Courses in organizational leadership focus on the soft skills companies are seeking.  Even if you are not looking to manage a team, taking a leadership course will raise your self-awareness. 

Being cognizant of your strengths and challenges will make you more productive. Further, you will be better equipped to rise to the occasion should a leadership opportunity present itself. This quality will make you much more attractive to potential employers. 

Digital Marketing

More and more businesses are embracing digital marketing strategies as a more cost-effective and targeted approach to reaching customers. However, implementing a digital marketing plan requires a diverse skillset that few people already possess. Earning qualifications in digital marketing tasks, such as content creation, strategy, or SEO optimization can make you a more appealing candidate. 

Since digital marketing is a new and dynamic field, the best courses are offered through online programs. If your industry primarily advertises on social media, consider taking a course directly from the company. For example, Meta offers free training for marketing on Instagram, Facebook, and Whatsapp.