How to Explain an Employment Gap: Advice for Resume, Cover Letter, and InterviewMany workers experience periods of unemployment for many reasons, such as education, planned leave, and career transitions. Although common, this can be daunting for job seekers concerned about the impression of an employment gap on their resume. If you’re concerned about the breaks in your employment history, take a breath! Employment gaps are normal and, if used wisely, can even be a benefit. In this article we’ll discuss how to explain a gap in employment on a resume, in a cover letter, and in an interview. TABLE OFCONTENTSWhat is an Employment Gap?How to Explain an Employment Gap on a Resume?How to Explain a Gap in Employment in a Cover letter?How to Explain an Employment Gap in Job Interviews?Key Takeaways What is an Employment Gap? An employment gap is any time in your professional career that is not covered by employment. It doesn’t necessarily mean you were unemployed – an employment gap can arise when you exclude irrelevant employment from your resume, such as freelance or gig work. Since resumes should be tailored to the job description, it’s natural to include only relevant experience, which may result in employment gaps. You might also exclude professional experience from your resume if it was too brief, or too long ago. But if you truly weren’t employed during an employment gap on your resume, don’t worry. There are many reasonable explanations for an employment gap, including the following: Personal Development You might have an employment gap if you engaged in some professional or personal development, such as returning to school or taking skills training. Medical Leave Taking leave to focus on your health is important, and it’s a common reason for a gap in employment. Parental Reasons For some people parental leave can be a few days, or many months, but others may end up taking years away from work to tend to their children. Workplace Harassment or Discrimination Harassment or discrimination at work can be debilitating, and it’s a sensible reason to leave your employment without waiting to secure a new position. 📚Further reading: Uncover Your Workplace Rights: 15 Employee Rights You Need To Know Laid Off Nearly half of American workers say they’ve been laid off at least once. It’s one of the most common reasons for an employment gap on a resume. Burnout Recovery A quarter of workers worldwide have experienced burnout, which can cause long term health problems and impact your mental wellness. For some experiencing burnout, an employment gap may be necessary. Other Personal Reasons You might have an employment gap due to personal reasons, like taking time off to care for an ailing parent or partner. Maybe you moved to a new place, or you’re transitioning to a new career. Everyone’s leave is different, and justifiable. How to Explain an Employment Gap on a Resume? Determine for which jobs you need to include employment gaps You don’t always need to include employment gaps on a resume. If the break between jobs was long ago, or at the start of your career, you can omit the position you had before the employment gap. The same goes for positions that aren’t relevant to the job you’re applying to. You should include an employment gap on a resume if you took time off for professional development, such as attending training, working with a mentor, or earning certifications. Here’s an example of a poorly written employment gap on a resume, which highlights the gap with no explanation.Jan 2018 - June 2021Software DeveloperOct 2016 - April 2017Programming Intern To write an employment gap into your resume, try providing a description of what you did during that time. For example: Jan 2018 - June 2021Software DeveloperWorked with a team to develop code for CareEase app.Supported app launch by troubleshooting and debugging software problems. June-Dec 2017Took time off to attend an intensive 6-month software development course.Read several programming books to develop fluency in Python. June - Dec 2017Programming InternCollaborated with the development team on software solutions.Assisted with troubleshooting and optimizing code. Take advantage of a different resume layout Trying a few different resume formats can help you focus on your skills and achievement instead of your employment history. For example, A functional or combination resume lists employment after skills, helping you minimize your employment gaps. If you’re concerned about smaller gaps, don’t include the months you worked in your professional history and instead only list the years. Showcase your willingness to learn and grow Gaps in employment are good when it’s time spent in learning and growing. Use any job seeking time to your advantage by attending training, upskilling, and doing meaningful volunteer work. If you don’t know how to explain a gap in employment, think about what you’ve learned and what was beneficial. Here’s an example of a poorly written employment gap on a resume:Science TeacherMar 2014 - PresentTeaching science to students in fourth and fifth grade.UnemployedAugust 2013 - Mar 2014Teacher's AssistantFeb 2010 - July 2013Supported students and homeroom teachers to meet learning objectives. In this better example, the employment gap is an opportunity to explain what the job seeker learned and improved on.Special Education Needs TeacherMar 2014 - PresentSupporting students with special needs in fourth and fifth gradePlanned Career BreakAugust 2013 - Mar 2014Took time to pursue addition teaching certificationAttended three seminars in behavior supportTeacher's AssistantFeb 2010 - July 2013Supported students and homeroom teachers to meet learning objectives. 💡Pro tip: If your employment gap was due to burnout, think about how you want to address this on a resume or in an interview. Consider what you learned or what personal development you experienced during that time, instead of what drove you to leave. Most workers experience employment gaps, and it’s nothing to hide. On the contrary, it’s important to be honest about your employment gaps. It’s also necessary to use any unemployed time wisely, by focusing on your personal and professional development. How to Explain a Gap in Employment in a Cover letter? It’s not always favorable to include employment gaps in your cover letter, since that is the best time to elaborate on your relevant skills and experience. But there may be situations that call for an employment gap explanation. For example, if you’ve had a lengthy break or you don’t have much working experience, you can use a cover letter to describe how you spent an employment gap in beneficial and job-relevant ways. If you’re wondering how to explain a gap in employment on your cover letter, check out this sample for inspiration: After two years in my previous role, I made the decision to take a planned career break to pursue my other passions. During that time, I found a mentor in healthcare who would support my career transition. I secured a volunteer position with a local nursing home, where I was responsible for overseeing entertainment for the residents and for organizing the patient filing system. It was there that I discovered my passion for healthcare administration. The important thing to remember while writing about an employment gap is that a cover letter is an opportunity to focus on your skills and development. Don’t overshare irrelevant information and stick to what you learned or achieved during your gap. How to Explain an Employment Gap in Job Interviews? The best way to address an employment gap in an interview is by being well-prepared to discuss it. Here are some ways to explain a few common employment gap scenarios in an interview: Personal Development “I left my position when I realized I was missing some crucial skills to progress effectively in my career. I took that opportunity to obtain certification, which helped me get the next role that I wanted.” Medical Leave “I made the tough decision to leave my last role for a few months, as I needed treatment and to focus on my health. Now that I’m well again I’m very eager to get back to work.” Parental Reasons “I took time to provide care for my children. I wanted to be there to support their development during these crucial years, but I always planned to return to my career.” Workplace Harassment or Discrimination “I left the role because of the work environment, but I’m grateful that the opportunity reinforced my values. Contributing to a positive and supportive work culture is very important to me.” Laid Off “I was laid off when the organisation was restructured, and the experience was difficult. I’m proud of what I achieved in my time there, and I’m excited to bring what I’ve learned to a new role.” Burnout Recovery “I felt there was a mismatch in values between me and my last employer, and I left the role to focus on myself. The time I spent with my family and doing volunteer work in the community really helped me get clear about what’s important to me.” Other Personal Reasons “I took time away from work to care for my mother as she got older. Although it was important to me to support my family at such an important time, I always planned to return to work and I’m eager to get started.” 💡Pro tip: While you may have valid reasons for leaving a job, maintaining professionalism during interviews is crucial, refraining from criticizing former employers. If you’re still wondering how to answer gaps in employment during an interview, center on the positive. It’s crucial to keep the interviewer focused on what you will bring to the role if you’re hired. If the topic of your employment gap comes up, explain yourself while highlighting what you’ve learned and how it makes you a stronger applicant. Key Takeaways There are many ways to address an employment gap, whether it’s in a resume, a cover letter, or an interview. It’s important to emphasize what you’ve learned or gained from an employment gap and maintain your confidence when job searching. Don’t let an employment gap deter you in your search! Check out Cake for more career resources and resume advice.Cake is afree resume makerandportfolio builderthat provides hundreds ofresume templates (free download)and variousjob resume examplesto help showcase the best you. Landing your dream job will be a piece of cake!Create Resume --- Originally Written by Tiffany Quinn ---

While education, experience and expertise are required in order to have a successful career, well developed social skills are needed to ensure that you maintain a positive reputation with your company, bosses and clients. In fact, 47% of people are employed in a position where social skills are deemed to be the most important skill to have. Workplace social skills are not just about getting to know your colleagues, but are needed in other facets of work, such as when working in teams and negotiating with clients. Ultimately, improving your social skills at work can help you advance in your career. In this article, we’ll go through the types of social skills in the workplace, as well as ways you can improve them.Table of Contents:What Are Social Skills?Why Are Social Skills So Important?How To Improve Social Skills?How To Showcase Your Social Skills When Job Hunting?What Are Social Skills?Social skills are the methods and features involved when communicating with others. Social skills are most often thought of as ones used when communicating with friends in a casual context, but are actually just skills used in person-to-person communication. There are many features of social skills, which range from the way you speak, to the way you react to others. Social communication involves many soft skills, including: Verbal Communication: This is using verbal language to communicate with other people. Aside from words, verbal communication also involves the use of pitch, tone, speed and volume of your voice. Verbal communication is one of the most obvious forms of social communication, which makes it easy to reflect on when evaluating your own social skills. Non-Verbal Communication: Social communication also involves non-verbal features, such as your body language, facial expressions, posture and hand gestures. Verbal and non-verbal communication go together, as they complement each other to provide meaning. Active Listening: Active listening is a communication skill which involves being intentional and active during a conversation, rather than passively listening, or waiting your turn to speak. Active listening involves interacting with the speaker in ways that improve your understanding of the topic, and is a social skill that can be used to build meaningful connections. Empathy: Empathy is an incredibly important social skill in professional and social environments. Empathy is the ability to be able to understand and share the feelings of another person; and can help foster meaningful connections with people. Empathy can be built over time, as not everyone naturally can empathize with others. Conflict Resolution: Being able to recognize interpersonal conflicts and come up with solutions is an incredibly important social skill in the workplace. By using other forms of social communication skills, such as active listening and empathy, conflict resolutions can be achieved effectively.Why Are Social Skills So Important?Created by CakeSocial skills are required in all forms of communication, both in your personal and professional life. It is a skill that is used everyday, so working on them should be a priority. As improving social skills takes time, knowing how they pay off in the long run could help put their importance in perspective. Improving your social skills has a range of benefits, including: Improved RelationshipsStrong social communication can improve the connection you have with others. This gives you a strong foundation to build a meaningful relationship with the people you work with, as you can have healthy, open communication with them. Career AdvancementBeing able to communicate with others effectively can allow you to succeed in your career. Whether it’s closing deals with clients flawlessly, rallying the team to work together, or confidently and tactfully asking for a promotion, utilizing social skills can assist you in the professional world. Mental WellbeingBuilding strong and healthy relationships with others can have positive effects on your overall well-being, as well. Improving your social skills can help you understand others better, and gain more perspective in your own life.📚Further reading:Am I in a Toxic Work Environment? [+Signs How to Deal]Having strong social skills can not only benefit you, but help you to stay away from some of the negative consequences of having poor social skills. We know what can be achieved through working on our social skills; let’s consider what might occur if you lack social skills: Poor CommunicationHaving poor social skills will affect your ability to communicate, and misunderstandings could occur as a result. This has a lead-on effect where you might be less inclined to communicate with others, and therefore relationships cannot be formed either. Having poor social or professional communication will make it more difficult to network, find new jobs, or make strong relationships with colleagues as well. Poor Career ProgressionA lack of social skills can put you behind at work, as it can reflect poorly on your character or work ethic. Higher up roles often involve leadership and managing others; being able to show that you are not only experienced professionally, but also a strong communicator will mean that you won’t be overlooked for these roles. Leaders must possess social skills, as they are required to understand how individual employees and teams work, in order to manage them successfully.How To Improve Social Skills?Thankfully, social skills can be improved with a bit of effort. Developing social skills takes some time, and involves making a proactive effort to improve. Starting can be difficult, as it will involve lots of self-reflection and consistency, but this is necessary when developing social skills. There are many ways to improve, and we recommend using a range of methods. When addressing how to develop your own social skills, consider the following: Tip 1: Assess Yourself Take a moment to self-reflect and evaluate your own social skills and communication in the workplace. Self-reflection in itself can help you build empathy, as you think of how your actions have consequences. To track your progress and note down your thoughts, consider using a journal to reflect on your social skills and make goals. To start off with, you could think of instances where you had a conflict, misunderstanding, or did not feel confident at work – why was that? What could you do to improve for next time? Tip 2: Request Constructive Feedback Ask one of your managers for their feedback on your social communication in the workplace. Think of specific skills you want feedback on, such as verbal communication, and ask what you could do to improve. You can note this feedback in your self-reflection journal and check in on it as you make progress. Another reason to get feedback from your managers is that it keeps you accountable – they now know you want to improve your social communication, and can help you stay on track. Tip 3: Join Social Activities To overcome anxiety and practice your social skills, consider joining networking or social events for your industry. Social activities do not have to be high-pressure, you can start by making small goals; such as talking to two new people at an event, and eventually work your way up. Social events are often held by chambers of commerce, or industry associations for your area or specialization. Sign up to their mailing list so you can be notified when there is a new networking event.💡Pro tip:Joining social events, even corporate ones, can be overwhelming, but they are worth it! Stepping out of your comfort zone to practice your social skills can help you rapidly improve your social communication and confidence. To make it easier, we have a step-by-step guide on networking!Tip 4: Books, Courses and Workshops Using a variety of resources to learn about the types of social skills can help you broaden your understanding. There are plenty of books, courses and workshops online that can help you build social skills. Consider using resources from experienced, qualified professionals, such as leaders in your industry, or organizational psychologists, to make sure you are receiving high-quality advice. Also, use many perspectives when finding resources. You can try reading about social skills from a variety of perspectives – corporate, psychological, historical perspectives, for example. Tip 5: Consistent Practice Use every networking event and day at work to slowly improve your social skills. By starting with self-reflection, you can narrow down what parts of social communication you want to improve on, and then periodically check in to re-evaluate your progress. If you have asked a manager for feedback, they can help keep you accountable, or motivate you to practice often. You can practice outside of work as well, such as by making small talk more often. This type of practice can help if anxiety or confidence is a factor affecting your social skills.How To Showcase Your Social Skills When Job Hunting?Social skills are soft skills; and are therefore a bit difficult to address when job applications are done online. Unlike hard skills, there is no certification, degree or qualification you can list on your application to prove that you have social skills. After going to all the effort to improve your social skills, you want to make sure you can show them off! tHere are our ways you can show your social skills when finding work: Resume and Cover Letter Use creative ways to weave in your social skills in your resume and cover letter, rather than listing them off. You can do this by mentioning networking events, conferences, projects you’ve led and responsibilities you’ve had, to show that you actually utilize social skills in many contexts. Use Cake’s resume and cover letter examples to see more ways you can show off your social skills. Online Presence Use online networking platforms to your advantage, and share examples of you being social with your LinkedIn audience. When attending a networking event or conference, for example, share pictures of you there, with a short but friendly caption. These events are a great way to build connections on LinkedIn, where you can endorse social skills for each other. Job Interviews Use in-person job interviews to showcase your social communication to recruiters, as behavioral questions can often have social or interpersonal themes. Practice your verbal and non-verbal communication by yourself, such as the tone and pitch of your voice, as well as the way you sit, shake hands, and make facial expressions.💡Pro tip:Networking events are a great way to prepare for job interviews, as you learn to be both personal and professional in your interactions.As for the interview questions themselves, you can also show off your social skills there as well. Don’t try to mention social skills where it doesn’t make sense – this will only seem like you are a bad communicator. Anticipate what type of questions you will be asked in the interview, and brainstorm ways you can tactfully mention your social skills. Using the STAR technique can help you with this – as recounting specific stories is a more natural way of mentioning your social skills. The STAR technique should be practiced for job interviews either way, as it is a storytelling method which builds a compelling response – we have a whole article on it! To conclude, social communication in the workplace is a necessary part of many roles; as leaders and teams need to develop ways they can communicate effectively. By reflecting and getting feedback on your own social skills, you can develop your own methods to improve them. There are so many upsides to improving your social skills, from networking, job hunting, or getting a promotion. Use a variety of resources and opportunities to practice your social communication in the real world, so you can succeed at your job sooner!With Cake, the best resume builder and portfolio builder, we provide you with hundreds of resume templates (free download) and various job resume examples that help showcase the best you. Landing your dream job will be a piece of cake!Create Resume--- Originally written by Bronte McNamara ---

Step Up Your Career With These Free Online CoursesThe Internet is a repository for virtually limitless information and has provided access to education for little to no cost. For professionals seeking ways to further specialize in their field or to pick up new skills that can be leveraged into higher-paying positions, the Internet is an affordable way to get free certifications/certicates online! Free online courses have become one of the most popular mediums for continued professional development for aspiring professionals. Industry standards are constantly changing, and with the continuous development of new technologies and services to streamline and reimagine workflows, it has become increasingly necessary for professionals to always stay at the top of their game. Formal education is expensive and time-consuming, and most people do not have the time for it; however, online courses that can be taken at an individual pace can provide the same knowledge as formal education and can adapt to the busy schedules of the modern office worker. Engaging in these free courses can do wonders, including enhancing soft and hard skills, boosting and fluffing out resumes, and advancing career prospects, to name a few! In this article, we will deep dive into over 30 free courses online for a number of different trending professions. By the end of this article, you will understand the online courses that are right for you and will possess the knowledge needed to take the next big step in your career!Table of ContentsFree Marketing Online Courses with CertificatesFree Sales Online Courses with CertificatesFree Design Online Courses with CertificatesFree Finance Online Courses with CertificatesFree Coding Online Courses with CertificatesFree Language Online Courses with CertificatesFree Courses for Personal DevelopmentHow to List Certificates/Certifications on a ResumeConclusion Free Marketing Online Courses with Certificates Marketing is an incredibly broad profession that is almost universally sought after by companies and businesses wishing to make their presence known. For those in the marketing field or who are looking for ways to enter the industry, there are many free courses that you can take online! Here are five course you can take, by the end of the course, you can gain a certificates or certifications. Digital Marketing Certification by HubSpot Academy: The Digital Marketing course offered by HubSpot Academy is a course targeted towards small business owners and marketing managers looking to get their online business presence off the ground. Finishing the course, you can get free certifications online. The course covers multiple topics including lead generation, SEO, content marketing, and digital marketing strategies for advertising campaigns. The course is only 9 lessons long (37 videos) and can be completed in only five and a half hours!Social Media Marketing Specialization by Northwestern University: This social media marketing free course can be found on Coursera and is offered in over 20 languages. The course content ranges from brand management and content marketing and creation to social media account management and performance advertising. Enrollment is free and the course can be completed in one month with 10 hours of work a week. It is a great choice for aspiring or established professionals who are seeking a deeper understanding of social media as a medium for advertisements and marketing campaigns.Inbound Marketing Certification by HubSpot Academy: The Inbound Marketing Certification offered on HubSpot Academy is a free course that those interested in marketing can take to boost their resume and industry knowledge. The course runs for around 5 hours and is offered in 6 languages, including Japanese, Portuguese, English, Spanish, German, and French. In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of the data metrics used to track the analysis of consumers and audiences, become more acquainted with the process of generating content that connects with your company’s audience, and much more!Google Analytics for Beginners by Google Analytics Academy: The Google Analytics for Beginners course is a helpful free course for those interested in learning how to navigate and operate the Google Analytics tool. Google Analytics is an essential service that is in the toolbox of virtually every modern digital marketer, as it helps to track dozens of metrics and can help marketers create and adjust strategies to reach their target audiences more effectively. There are 17 lessons divided into four units in this online course, and it is offered in over 15 different languages. The course can be completed within a day, and a free certificate of completion is offered to those who pass all unit testing with a score exceeding 80%!Google Digital Marketing E-commerce Professional Certificate by Google: This online certification course is offered on Coursera and is a 7-course series with a free signup! This course takes a deep dive into 7 core areas in digital marketing and e-commerce, with topics including building customer loyalty, email marketing, and marketing analytics. The best part about this course is that no prior knowledge of marketing is required to understand the content! The course builds up from scratch, and participants can get a full 6-month exposure to digital marketing with only 10 hours of dedicated time per week, upon finishing, you can get a completion certificate.Free Sales Online Courses with Certificates If you are looking to up your existing knowledge and close more deals, these free courses could be the right choice for you! Inbound Sales Certification by HubSpot Academy: The Inbound Sales Certification offers an introductory overview of the profession to individuals considering a career in sales. This free course can be completed in around 3 hours and gives some helpful insight and direction to participants on the basics of engaging and connecting with customers to drive home sales. The course also examines buyer behavior and how knowledge of it can help you to better interact with the customer on a day-to-day basis. The course is made up of 22 video lessons with 5 quizzes dispersed throughout its contents.Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills by the University of Michigan: This is a flexible beginner-level free course that can be easily completed with under 24 hours of work. This course, offered by the University of Michigan through Coursera, is a free course that is targeted at beginners who have no prior experience in negotiation strategies. This course covers the art of negotiation and its importance and relation to sales. Beginners and professionals alike are recommended to take this course to both learn and review essential negotiation strategies that can be used in sales pitches and consumer interactions to drive a successful deal to a close! The course has a signup deadline and runs regularly.Getting Started as a Sales Representative by LinkedIn Learning: This course focuses and is targeted towards teaching a foundational understanding of what it means to be a sales representative. This free course serves as a short beginner introduction to topics including sales time management, creating an effective sales process and sales negotiation strategies. If you are a beginner in the sales industry and would like to gain some useful insight from qualified professionals without the cost of auditing a physical university course, this free course could be right for you! The course can be completed within a day and can help you develop the soft and interpersonal skills needed to succeed in a career in sales!Sales Management by HubSpot Academy: This free course offered by HubSpot Academy is a great resource for small business owners or individuals seeking training in sustainably growing a business, no matter whether they want to better their existing knowledge or learn new skills. The course covers topics related to scaling and managing a business and also techniques that can be employed to attract talent to a company. This course is designed for both beginners and those with experience under their belts, so professionals of all levels can benefit from the course. This free course also benefits from being reasonably short, with a completion time of roughly 5 hours.SALES103: Public Speaking for Sales by Saylor Academy: Public speaking and the ability to comfortably hold discussions in front of and with multiple people is a core skill in the sales profession. This public speaking course is a great resource for beginner and veteran salespeople alike to sharpen and refine their public speaking skills! The course is around 15 hours in length and focuses on delivering informational sales presentations and the ethics of professional sales. 💡 Pro tip: Almost every online course offers free learning materials; hence, make sure to review all course materials to memorize better after learning.Free Design Online Courses with Certificates Design is another massive field that comes with a myriad of specializations for professionals to choose from. Here are some useful free courses that designers can take to upgrade their technical skills to meet the changing demands of the industry. Web Design for Web Developers: Build Beautiful Websites! by Udemy: This free web design course is targeted at website developers who wish to further their understanding of consumer viewing patterns and design theory. Color theory, the visual hierarchy, the use of whitespace, and the importance of font choice are just a few of the many topics that are discussed in this course. The free online web design course is extremely short and can be completed in as little as a few hours, depending on prior experience and knowledge. The course comes with access to instructional videos and other course materials to help participants maximize their learning in the time they spend with the material.Growth Driven Design by HubSpot Academy: The Growth Driven Design free course offers individuals and business owners the opportunity to pick up on methodologies and strategies used to design websites to draw in more customers. The course also takes a deep dive into topics like pricing strategies and shows the intersection of a well-designed website and an increase in sales. This course is suitable for those already established in the design space who want to develop existing skills further or gain knowledge that can complement existing web setups and business models. This course can be completed in about 4 hours and contains 7 lessons ranging from 20 minutes to an hour in length.Graphic Design Specialization by Calarts: This specialization is a 5-course series offered on Coursera that provides a comprehensive discussion of the history, evolution, standards, and practice of graphic design. This is a longer course compared to others on this list with a run time of about 2 months with 10 hours of work a week. Although comparatively lengthy, this course appeals to all levels of experience within the graphic design community and offers engaging projects that can also be added to a resume upon completion of the course. Specific topics covered include motion graphics and interface design, image making, and typography to name a few.Advance Your Skills in Graphic Design by LinkedIn Learning: This is a Learning Path in LinkedIn Learning that takes attendees on a 14-hour, 9-lesson journey through graphic design theory and skill development from the beginning to advanced levels. Beginners and veterans in the graphic design space are encouraged to check out this free online course. LinkedIn updated their course offerings to reflect changes in industry standards and the areas that employers seek out the most! Topics in these courses include layout and composition theory, typography, color theory, and creative inclusive content.An Introduction to Interaction Design by OpenLearn: This course is targeted at app designers and developers and covers the theory and practice of designing programs and applications with special consideration to how a user will interact with the completed product. This course does require a level of programming knowledge and experience, so beginners are advised to have a background in computer science or programming to gain the most from this online course. The course is projected to take around 10 hours to complete. 💡 Pro Tips: Go through your school's orientation materials to see if they collaborate with LinkedIn Learning, this way, you can have unlimited access to all courses there, and it's absolutely free!Free Finance Online Courses with Certificates The field of finance is one typically associated with years of formal and intensive training yet, in recent years, has become a profession easily accessible online. Although many companies prioritize degrees in the field over online certifications, those working in finance would benefit from taking these online certification courses to up their game and keep abreast with modern industry standards and technologies! Quantitative and Qualitative Research in Finance by the Open University: This course investigates one of finance’s most fundamental research methodologies - quantitative and qualitative research. In this 10-hour course, you will learn how data is collected and analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively, and examine several case studies to demonstrate the methodologies discussed throughout the course. This course is not designed for those who are new to finance, so only those with experience who wish to touch up on their technical skill set and add some certifications to their resume are recommended to take this course.Asset Allocation in Investment by the Open University: The Asset Allocation in Investment course is a free online course and certification program designed for those with substantial experience in finance. This course goes into depth on asset allocation, touching on several topics including investment policy, portfolio optimization techniques, risk and return theories, pensions, asset plans, and case studies to see theory in action. This course is also relatively short, taking only 9 hours on average to complete.Financial Markets by Yale: This course has free enrollment on Coursera and offers an intensive 3-week course with 11 hours of work per week. The course is extremely detailed and offers training on several topics within the financial sector, including behavioral finance and predicting recessions, investment banking and exchanges, and behavioral economics to name a few. This course is specially designed to be beginner-friendly, which is a great fit for those interested in getting to know more about finance with no prior exposure to the field.Introduction to Corporate Finance by Great Learning: This introductory course is tailored towards beginners in finance and for professionals in other fields who are interested in breaking into the financial market or would like to gain some useful skills they can apply in their field. This course would also benefit small business owners who can use the corporate finance techniques of maximizing profits and minimizing costs to find success in their own business ventures. This free online course covers a broad scope of topics, ranging from capital budgeting techniques to the concepts of mergers, and can be completed in just a few hours. This also makes this course perfect for those who have some time to spare and want to learn something new!Analytics in Finance by Great Learning: Another free course offered by Great Learning, the Analytics in Finance course is a great short-form learning course for those interested in the world of finance. This course is very short - around an hour from start to finish - but shares invaluable insights into financial analysis tools, techniques, and strategies that can be applied to many personal and professional scenarios in daily life. Business owners and those wishing to become more financially literate are encouraged to take this short course - the knowledge gained can give you much-needed perspective on investment, commercial, and banking analysis. Free Coding Online Courses with Certificates One of the most available courses to take online, coding certifications are common and highly regarded by employers across many industries. Here are some useful free online coding certificates that you can take today! Crash Course on Python by Google: Python is one of the first programming languages that many beginner programmers learn, and is popular in software and website development. This 32-hour crash course offered by Google is a great entry course into the world of programming through one of the most popular programming languages out there. Beginners are encouraged to take this course as no prior experience is required!Machine Learning with Python by freeCodeCamp: This advanced machine learning course is offered by freeCodeCamp and is a highly intensive program with over 300 hours of tutelage before obtaining a free online certification. This course is spread out over several artificial intelligence modules and contains several mandatory and optional projects to complete. We recommend that only those with a deep understanding of Python take this course, as the required background knowledge is quite high. Nevertheless, qualified programmers would benefit highly from this popular online certification course!JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures by freeCodeCamp: Another 300-hour course offered by freeCodeCamp, this course examines the fundamentals of JavaScript, data structures, and algorithm scripting. This is a course that works with a user from the ground up, so we encourage all interested parties to give it a shot! With the higher utilization of programming in more industries and with more companies requiring their employees to have some level of computer literacy, this is a great resource for those wishing to get an edge against their competition by fluffing out their resume!Programming Basics by Great Learning: As the name suggests, the Programming Basics course offered by Great Learning offers a general introduction to the world of programming. This free online certification course is intended for those who have little to no idea about anything related to programming or coding and can be completed in just a few hours. If you are interested in learning more about programming but do not know where to begin, this course could be a great first stop for you!CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science by Harvard University: This free online course offered by Harvard University and hosted on edx.org is a self-paced course that includes around 5 months of coursework, lessons, and tutorials on a large scope of computer science-related topics and several programming languages including C, JavaScript, Python, and SQL. This course is highly recommended for those interested in data science due to its depth of discussion and availability of information. There are 9 projects stretched throughout the course; participants who score a satisfactory score on these are eligible to apply for a certification at the end of the course. This course is recommended to anyone who would like a comprehensive introductory look into the world of computer science, as no prior qualifications are necessary for entry to the program! Free Language Online Courses with Certificates Knowledge of a second and even third language is quickly becoming a prerequisite for many jobs in the current international market. If you are interested in connecting to more of the world, consider one of these free online language courses! Duolingo: Duolingo is a free online language learning service that offers a wide variety of languages from the convenience of your mobile phone! It is recommended for casual language learners who may only have a couple of minutes a day to spare to pick up a new language. With over 10 supported languages and a fully customizable daily practice routine, Duolingo offers a convenient and fun way to learn a new language.Open Culture: Open Culture is a free online database that offers lessons, textbooks, audiobooks, and more for over 48 languages. The free online courses for these languages are full of dialogue training, spoken exercises, vocabulary drills, and much more! These courses also have the added benefit of being self-paced, so you can cover the material at your leisure. These courses are recommended for those who have some more time on their hands, and would prefer a more intensive and hands-on online language learning experience, as opposed to the more casual 30-minute daily sessions that mobile application courses offer.Alison: Alison offers free language courses for several languages including, English, Spanish, French, German, and Japanese, and offers a total of over 250 courses across its programs. Alison is recommended for language learners who want to train specific parts of their linguistic proficiency – the courses offered are divided into sections that include grammar, spelling, speaking, and vocabulary. These courses are self-paced and can be reviewed multiple times to ensure retention.Understanding Language and Learning by the Open University: It is said that learning your second language is the hardest language to learn, but subsequent languages are noticeably easier. While this is debatable, it is undeniable that there is a pattern and way to approach learning a new language. This interactive free online course by the Open University offers to teach aspiring language learners tricks and tips that can help them pick up multiple languages in no time. The course teaches three methods through which a language can be learned and reveals insights into the benefits of bilingualism. This relatively short free online course can be completed within 10 hours of dedicated study and work.Getting Started with Spanish: This free online certification course is the first in a series that introduces learners to the Spanish language. The course is designed for complete beginners, so no prior knowledge is required. Multiple courses in this Spanish series cover different grammar foci, vocabulary, and speaking practice. There are also similar language courses for Italian, French, German, and Chinese! These free courses can each be completed in under 10 hours of dedicated work. Free Courses for Personal Development In many cases, interpersonal skills are just as important as technical proficiency and can often mean the difference between landing a job and missing out on it. Here are some informational free online courses you can take to level up your personal development today! Developing Interpersonal Skills by IBM: This quick and easy 3-hour free course hosted on Coursera is an essential course to take for people interested in developing their interpersonal skills. These include communication skills, listening techniques, and much more. Students and professionals are the people most recommended to take this course; the skills you stand to learn here can take you just as far in your career as your technical knowledge and other qualifications!Active Listening: Enhancing Communication Skills: This course on Coursera is another that teaches the quintessential skill of active listening. Too often, people only listen in order to express their opinions, and not nearly enough people actually listen and digest what others are saying. This course teaches participants the strategies of active listening and the value it has in everyday conversation! This course is spread out over 3 weeks, with one hour of dedicated work per week. It is self-paced, so there is no rush to complete it in a time frame, which is perfect for busy professionals with full schedules.International Leadership and Organizational Behavior by Università Bocconi: This is a highly recommended course for people seeking to strengthen their leadership and organizational skills. The ability to lead is cultivated over time and is widely sought out by employers. This three-week course teaches subjects such as building motivation in a team, developing a professional network, communication styles and techniques, and much more.Technical Communication Specialization by the University of Colorado Boulder: This course is targeted at business owners or those in managerial positions within a company. This specialization course comprises three free online courses that cover communication as a leader, writing styles, and communication to group styles, all of which contribute to the personal and professional development of participants. This course takes around 3 months to complete, with roughly four hours of work required each week.Personality Development Course by Great Learning: This engaging, short 1.5-hour course is a fun and easy introduction to some interpersonal skills that can serve you well in both your personal and professional lives. The course focuses on building leadership values, strengthening effective communication, and promoting team synergy and development. This course is recommended for anyone wishing to develop their interpersonal skills further and maximize the value of every conversation they engage in, both inside and outside the workplace! How to List Certificates/Certifications on a Resume After you have put in all of the work to complete courses backing up your qualifications, it is only right to include them in the correct place on your resume! Certifications and certificates belong in their own section on a resume (this is typically the section directly following your work experience), and should include all the necessary information for employers viewing your resume to verify their authenticity. When including online certificates on your resume, be sure only to include those that are relevant to the job or industry you are applying to work in. For example, including an online certificate for corporate finance would do little good for you when applying for a job in the restaurant business. You should also consider the timing of your certificates; include the most recent ones first and list them in chronological order. This shows the progression of your career and skill development. Tailoring your included resume in these ways to match the job description of the position you are applying to will both give you the space to include more relevant information and will keep the attention and focus of the person reviewing your application. Finally, make sure that the certificates section of your resume is formatted uniformly. Make sure that the fonts, titles, and included information all match and are consistent with other sections of your resume. Here is an example of how you can format a certificates on your resume: Specialization Certification in JavaScript and C++Online certification, Harvard University Conclusion Online courses are an amazing way to pick up new skills without dropping thousands of dollars on university courses and boost the appeal of your resume. There are free online certification courses for almost every subject imaginable, for beginners and veterans alike. These free online courses are also a great no-risk way of exploring other career paths and the things they have to offer. Many online certification courses are also self-paced, so you can learn on your own time and can work it into your daily routine without compromising existing workflows. So, what are you waiting for? Pick up a new skill and enroll yourself in an online course today! Your future self will thank you for it! If you found this article helpful, you could consider checking out Cake for more! Our collection of curated articles are a great resource for career advice, resume tips, interview tricks, and much more. If you want to step up your career and be the best person you can, check us out today!— Originally Written byAlex Coye—

As the job market becomes increasingly more competitive, skill enhancement and career development becomes essential. To gain a competitive edge, many job seekers will upskill by taking courses to develop their hard and soft skills. Soft skills such as public speaking and conflict resolution are important if you would like to take on more responsibilities in your role. These can be learned quite easily, and issues that require using these skills rarely arise. It could be more useful to learn harder yet more in-demand skills, such as problem-solving skills, in order to improve in your career. We’ll go through how problem-solving skills can help you in both the competitive job market and how you can develop them yourself. Tables of ContentWhat Are Problem-Solving Skills?Why Are Problem-Solving Skills Important?7 Problem-Solving Skills that Make You Irreplaceable and How to Put It on Your ResumeHow to Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills What Are Problem-Solving Skills? There is no singular ‘problem-solving skill’, as problem-solving involves calling on a range of other skills, such as creativity, critical thinking, organization, and information processing, to overcome obstacles and find solutions. Problem-solving is a dynamic skill that requires you to understand issues and plan for their resolution. Problem-solving skills are highly sought after in the job market, as employers want to hire people who do not shy away from challenges and can resolve important issues in their industry or company. Problem-solving skills have a few core components: Identifying and defining problems: finding the core of the problem at hand can involve working backwards to see what parts of a business plan or product are not optimized. Being able to do this effectively is key to finding a successful solution.Generating creative solutions: lateral thinking is a valuable part of the problem solving skillset, as the most obvious solutions don’t always work.Evaluating and selecting the best solution: a full evaluation of the costs and time needed to implement the solution should be taken into consideration before deciding on the best solution Why Are Problem-Solving Skills Important? Employers and recruiters are looking for people with demonstrated problem-solving skills, as the problems faced by companies today become more complex. Problem-solving involves using a variety of other skills, which can vary depending on the industry. Having a strong problem-solving skillset can have other positive effects on your work, including: Enhanced Decision-Making: Being decisive and not getting caught up on small details can allow you to make confident choices in the problem-solving process. This can overall speed up the time taken by employees to come up with a solution and streamline your decision-making process.Adaptability: Being able to revise, change, and adapt to the problem based on the resources and feedback available is highly valuable in any job. Being adaptable means you can easily produce solutions that address the issue at hand, which is especially valuable in highly competitive and constantly changing industries.Innovation and Creativity: lateral thinking in the problem-solving process can build a mindset of innovation and creativity. You can also call on your experiences in other roles or from your hobbies if you think they are relevant to the solution. Thinking creatively and going beyond the typical solutions can help build strength in the company or product you are working on.Building Resilience: ​​problem-solving is an iterative process of trying out many different ideas. Sometimes, the feedback or results are not ideal, and you would need to start again. Understanding that this is a part of the process can help you build your resilience and other problem-solving skills.Effective Communication: improving your problem-solving skills means you need to work on your communication. Learning to be diplomatic polite and making sure everyone is working together is essential to finding solutions.Improves Job Performance and Employability: working on your problem-solving skills means you will become valuable to your team. If you can effectively problem-solve with proven results, this boosts your employability as well, as this is what recruiters look for when screening resumes.7 Problem-Solving Skills that Make You Irreplaceable and How to Put It on Your Resume Problem-solving skills are made up of many types of soft skills, which you can highlight in your resume or cover letter. You can mention the skills you have and show how your skills have led to results. Think back to the achievements you have had in your previous jobs and mention what skills you used to achieve those results. Some examples of ways you can emphasize problem-solving skills on your cover letter are: Analytical Thinking Analytical thinking involves processing information, taking the most important parts of it, and processing it in a way that provides meaning to your project or company. This sounds like a technical skill, but it applies across many industries. Try mentioning how an analytical approach to a problem improves results; mention the achievements that resulted as well. “Analyzed previous trends in consumer behavior to create a new content strategy, resulting in a 15% growth in Q3” Critical Thinking Think of times where you needed to evaluate and organize a solution based on lots of information. Mention the tools, guidelines or processes you used and how you used that information to come up with solutions. “Evaluated the current sales channels utilized by the team in order to create a new, optimized approach to contacting new clients” Creativity Mention a time you came up with a new approach to an issue, and why it was implemented. Creativity doesn’t necessarily mean artistic; you can refer to innovative ideas and methods, too. “Started daily huddles with members of all teams in order to encourage idea sharing from a variety of perspectives” Research Mention how data was used to make informed decisions and what information was used during the process.. Mention the tools or resources you used and why, so you can show your capabilities along with your problem-solving abilities: “Analyzed historical and current data to create a solution which is both robust and innovative, improving traffic by 10%” Decision Making Share a time you made a decision that affected the overall process or development in a task or project. Decision-making isn’t reserved only for higher-ups or executives in the company – every role requires some level of decision-making. “Worked with engineers and business analysts to create a new business drafting for Q4. Delegated tasks to the appropriate teams in order to speed up the decision-making process.” Communication Communication is considered to be a vital skill for problem-solving. Being able to articulate thoughts and ideas clearly, actively listening to others, and fostering open dialogue are all important components of strong communication skills. Without these skills, misunderstandings and miscommunications can arise, leading to further complications and challenges in solving problems. Therefore, it is important to prioritize and develop one's communication abilities in order to increase the likelihood of successful problem-solving outcomes “Collaborated with 5 internal teams, streamlining communication through assigning team leads” Teamwork Talk about working in teams, especially if there are many people involved. You can talk about the roles of other employees, if everyone comes from a different background, as well as how you achieved cooperation throughout the team. “Worked with 15 people across 3 teams, who were all assigned responsibilities based on their expertise ensure an efficient pipeline of development” Problem-solving skills are necessary for every role at every level, but that doesn’t mean you need to learn every soft skill out there. For instance, a manager's problem-solving skills might involve more time management or conflict resolution than a regular employee working in a team to design a new prototype.How to Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills Problem-solving skills involve a variety of other soft skills that are utilized based on the problem that needs to be solved. Instead of trying to improve every soft skill, here are our tips for working on building your problem-solving skills: Step 1: Acknowledge The Areas You Want To Improve Not every soft skill would be helpful in improving your job or career. Think about the soft skills you utilize on an everyday basis, and start with improving those. For instance, if you always work in a team, try starting with communication or teamwork. Step 2: Define Clear Goals The problem-solving skills you should work on will depend on your goals. Whether you want a pay rise, promotion, or to move into a different role, think about what problem-solving skills a highly sought-after candidate would have and work on those first. You can even check job descriptions for your role to see what problem-solving skills the employer listed. An example of a goal you could have could be wanting a promotion to a role that requires decision-making and team management skills – you can work on these first. Step 3: Identify Your Problem-Solving Weaknesses Reflect on your problem-solving skills in your everyday life – are there certain problems or methods you struggle with? Acknowledging your weaknesses can provide you with the essential problem-solving skills that you should work on. Step 4: Learn Problem-Solving Techniques Based on the problem-solving skills you’d like to work on, there are plenty of resources that teach you how to improve on them. Your company could have its own internal resources for upskilling or be able to provide extra training for you. If not, there are other free resources that you can try. For instance, there are many workplace communication and conflict resolution resources, or you can try logic games for more technique-based problem-solving skills. Step 5: Practice Regularly If you already know the weaknesses in your problem-solving skill set, you can practice at work when the issues arise. When you encounter frustrating, difficult or complicated challenges at work, remember the techniques you learned about and put them into practice. You can reflect on them afterward, and note down what strategies you utilized, and what the result was. Step 6: Learn From Experts Try to reach out to a manager or supervisor and let them know what problem-solving skills you want to work on. They might be able to provide you with resources or advice on how they improved their problem-solving skills. Otherwise, you can try online resources or YouTube videos from people in your industry and learn from them. Step 7: Test Your Skills You can test your problem-solving skills by going through hypothetical situations with your coworkers or managers. Going through your thought process with others can help you develop your problem-solving skills on the job. For more technical skills, you can try logic games or quizzes, which can help you solve problems outside of the context of work. Step 8: Seek Feedback Ask your coworkers or managers for feedback on how you performed after completing a task that required problem-solving skills. Ask about what they thought of your approach, how you interacted with the team, and if the results were adequate. They might provide a different perspective on how you can improve your problem-solving skills, further widening your skillset. There are resources available for you to take initiative and learn problem-solving skills. Most of the resources come in the form of short courses, which can be as short as one hour and as long as a couple of months. You should choose your resources based on what you want to learn and your preferred learning style. Some resources you can use to develop your problem-solving skills include: Udemy: an online learning platform with free courses in problem-solving skillsAlison: an online career development platform with courses in critical thinking, creative thinking, and other analytical and problem-solving skillsGoogle’s Digital Learninghas a variety of soft skills courses for free Conclusion Overall, problem-solving is not just one skill but a complex set of skills that will vary depending on your role and industry. Reflecting on your skills is an important part of the process so that you can plan and decide on what soft skills you should work on in order to become an invaluable employee. Problem-solving builds resilience and adaptability, which can assist you not only in your job but also when job hunting, as the job market becomes increasingly competitive. Putting your problem-solving skills to the test and asking for feedback can help you rapidly develop robust skills. Asking for feedback can help you get insight into how experts and industry leaders solve problems. For more advice on career development and building soft skills, you can try browsing Cakeresume!With Cake, you can easily create a resume online, download your resume’s PDF formats, and utilize ATS-compliant templates to create a resume. Land your dream job, and create your resume online (free download) now!Create Resume — Originally written by Bronte McNamara —

Forming a quality network is critical to increasing the value of you as a professional and the value of your business if you're a business owner. Building connections in the business world will lead to more knowledge, help you climb the career ladder, better recruitment, bring back more quality clients, and provide a support network that can help you in times of need. Building professional relationships is one of the most crucial things one can do to grow their career or their company. Many individuals and businesses with coveted success have reached their positions through connections with other talented individuals who have aided them along their journey. Below, we’ll discuss the components of networking in business, the types of places you can network, the benefits it has to both striving professionals and those with their own businesses, tips, and strategies for acquiring your network, and how to utilize your network to grow your career.Table of Contents What Is Networking for Business? How is Networking Important in Business? Networking Tips for Business Professionals What Is Networking for Business? Networking is a way of generating opportunities to further your career by establishing connections with other business professionals.There are different types of networking events you can attend to build your own network. Business Seminars and Conferences: These business events are packed with industry experts. There is a wealth of knowledge as authority figures both perform and attend seminars and conferences.Online Events: If you can't join any physical events, you can network from the comfort of your home. There are many business events that take place online. Online Events often have workshops and marathons. Not only will this establish a productive use of your time, but you’ll also be in a social scenario where you can easily learn new networking skills from other professionals.Associations - These are groups you can join to build long lasting relationships with like-minded people. There are many different types of associations; some include:Alumni associations support fellow graduates by offering career guidance, resume writing guide, organizing reunions, and hosting events to foster connections.Networking Clubs: These are created with the single minded focus of networking, thus, everyone is there for the same exact reason.Inclusion Organizations: Often groups of people with similar backgrounds, especially marginalized ones, will make support groups together. These groups are often quite popular online as well. For example, you may join a slack channel that is dedicated to “females in accounting”.Trade Associations: They help connect buyers, suppliers, distributors, and investors with each other. Often, these are the groups that put together trade shows and conferences which help promote brand new products to the industry.Professional Associations: These are official groups dedicated to occupations. A doctor may join the American Medical Association (AMA) or a lawyer will join the American Bar Association (ABA). How is Networking Important in Business? Networking is an invaluable asset in business, providing numerous benefits that can significantly impact one's career and the overall success of an organization. Business Growth: Networking plays a crucial role in business expansion. Through strategic networking, you can identify and connect with other companies that complement your services, leading to potential collaborations. These partnerships can open doors to new client bases or leads, offering a broader market reach. Furthermore, networking allows you to establish connections that grant you access to exclusive markets, which can be a game-changer for your business.Knowledge Sharing: Networking fosters a culture of continuous learning and knowledge exchange. By interacting with industry peers, you stay updated on the latest techniques, trends, and technologies relevant to your field. Networking also offers the opportunity to receive mentorship from seasoned professionals, who can provide valuable insights and advice. Additionally, sharing your creative ideas with others and receiving constructive feedback helps refine your concepts, contributing to personal and professional growth.Talent Acquisition: Networking is a powerful tool for talent acquisition. By engaging directly with professionals, you can identify individuals who are actively seeking new opportunities, making it easier to recruit top talent. Networking also enhances your brand visibility, attracting high-caliber professionals who might be interested in joining your company. Moreover, through networking, you can meet recruiters and business owners who can connect you with other organizations that have open positions, expanding your talent pool.Access to Resources: Effective business networking provides access to a wealth of resources that can propel your business forward. Establishing connections with investors, such as venture capitalists and angel investors, can lead to funding opportunities. Networking also grants you insights from industry decision-makers, analysts, and thought leaders, giving you a competitive edge. Additionally, you may gain access to exclusive programs, technologies, and tools, such as lead generation platforms, closed-beta software, and specialized training seminars, which are often reserved for a select group of professionals.Crisis Management: In times of crisis, a robust network becomes invaluable. When faced with business challenges, you can rely on your network for advice and solutions from experienced problem-solvers. Networking also provides direct referrals to quality consultants and coaches who can help navigate difficult situations. Beyond practical support, your peers can offer emotional support and share their first-hand experiences, helping you overcome obstacles with greater confidence. Networking Tips for Business Professionals To maximize the benefits of networking, it’s essential to approach it with a clear plan and well-defined goals. Here are key strategies to ensure your networking efforts are productive and aligned with your professional objectives: 1. Set Clear Goals and Objectives Before diving into networking activities, establish what you want to achieve. Whether it’s finding potential collaborators, gaining industry insights, or expanding your client base, having a specific goal will guide your efforts. This clarity helps you determine the right places to network and the types of professionals you should connect with, ensuring your interactions are purposeful and aligned with your business objectives. 2. Stay Updated on Networking Opportunities To make the most of networking, it’s important to stay informed about upcoming events. Subscribing to newsletters, following blogs, or joining group channels with industry leaders can keep you in the loop regarding key conferences, seminars, and workshops. Regularly participating in these events allows you to connect with other professionals, stay updated on industry trends, and expand your network consistently. 3. Enhance Your Online Presence In today’s digital age, your online presence is crucial for effective networking. Platforms like Cake Meet and LinkedIn are invaluable tools for building and maintaining professional connections. By keeping your profiles updated, sharing relevant content, and engaging with others, you can enhance your visibility and attract potential collaborators, clients, or employers. A strong online presence ensures that you’re not only found by the right people but also perceived as an active and engaged member of your industry. 4. Maintain and Nurture Relationships Networking doesn’t end after the first meeting. Following up with your contacts is key to building lasting relationships. After exchanging information, reach out periodically to start a conversation, share valuable insights, or offer assistance. This ongoing communication helps solidify connections, making it easier to collaborate or seek advice in the future. 5. Be Proactive in Networking Events Taking the initiative during networking events can set you apart. Don’t hesitate to start conversations, lead discussions, or invite others to join your group. Being proactive shows confidence and leadership, qualities that are highly valued in business. By actively engaging with others, you position yourself as a connector and leader within your network, opening doors to new opportunities. By setting clear goals, staying informed, maintaining a strong online presence, nurturing relationships, and being proactive, you can make your networking efforts more effective and impactful. These strategies will help you build a robust network that supports your business growth and career advancement. Common FAQs about Networking How do I assess my ROI (Return on Investment) when I am business networking? Calculating your ROI isn’t a straightforward thing in business networking but it is something that is easy to do. You can calculate your cost accurately. Your biggest cost will be buying a ticket for an event or a membership. The secondary cost will be your transport to get there. There is also how much time you are dedicating to do these things. You can weigh these costs against your benefits. How long it takes can be compared to what you usually do with your free time instead. The cost of membership and transit are measured against how much your career will benefit from making a strong contact, learning a useful skill, or discovering a job opportunity. For instance, when you join an association like the bar association, there will be a list of tangible benefits. You can likely deduce right away that it is usually worth the price of admission. How do I identify new business opportunities? Identifying new business opportunities largely depends on your ability to observe and analyze trends within your network. Here’s how you can do it effectively: 1. Stay Attuned to Industry Trends Being part of a business network keeps you informed about common trends and emerging needs within specific industries. Listen carefully to the criticisms and complaints you hear—these often highlight gaps in the market or areas where existing solutions are inadequate. By identifying these pain points, you can pinpoint opportunities to offer improved services or products. 2. Recognize Unmet Needs As you network, you’ll gain insights into what skills are in high demand and which niches remain untapped. Understanding these areas allows you to identify opportunities to fill these gaps with innovative solutions. Networking also gives you access to insider information, such as job vacancies or emerging markets, which can be leveraged for new business ventures. 3. Utilize Word-of-Mouth Insights Networking often leads to valuable word-of-mouth information. Simply knowing where and when investors and industry leaders meet can open doors to countless opportunities. By staying connected and engaged with your network, you can position yourself to capitalize on these insights. Can you leverage your networking into finding new strategic partners? There are countless ways to find new partners utilizing business networking. If you have a business that has a weakness such as SEO writing, then you can attend a business networking event dedicated to SEO specialists and content writers. You can meet specialized workers and partner with them to improve one of your businesses core flaws. Offer value to others in your network, they will often return the favor. Your network will connect you with individuals with similar interests. As you build up your credibility among your own network, they in turn will begin to refer you to clients, suppliers, distributors, marketers, and consultants. Not only that, but crafting a good relationship can lead to finding business partners for creating companies. Many companies are formed with co-founders who know each other through networking. Many strategic benefits are formed from the philosophy of “I know a guy, who knows a guy”.If you are proactive in your networking, you can find yourself constantly finding new partnerships. Now You Know What Networking in Business is About! We’ve gone over the different types of ways to build your business network, how you can expand your network, and the benefits to having a business network. If you’re procrastinating because you’re wondering if it is worth it — the ROI is absolutely in your favor. There are countless ways to network as well as leverage networking to elevate your business. To find out more strategies and tips in general for advancing your career, read more articles on Cake!— Originally written by Chris Grudge —

10 Networking Events for Professional DevelopmentMaking meaningful connections with people in your industry, whether it be colleagues, managers, or like-minded individuals, can allow you to smoothly level up in your career. This can be done via networking events, a skill which is needed in order to develop as a professional. Networking can assist you in establishing and maintaining valuable connections, seek opportunities, and gain insights into your industry. With 85% of jobs being filled via networking, knowing how and where you can network will be useful in your job search. There are plenty of ways to network online, but did you know there are career networking events as well? Today, we’re going to help you learn how and why you should network, as well as provide some tips on where you can get started with meeting people.Table of ContentsWhat Are Networking Events?Types of Networking EventsHow to Find a Networking Event?How to Prepare for Networking Events?Conclusion What Are Networking Events? Networking events are events held with the purpose of connecting with other professionals in your industry. At networking events, people will interact and socialize with each other, sharing ideas, stories, and career advice. By becoming closer with certain connections, you can learn valuable insights about a career or industry you are interested in, and leverage their knowledge to help you in your career. Attending networking events is either in-person, online, or hybrid, depending on their theme or purpose. To improve your networking experience, it is essential to find networking events that align with your career goals and interests.10 Types of Networking Events 10 Types of Networking Events There are plenty of different types of networking events for you to build connections at, and they also differ depending on your career or industry. If you’re looking to attend a networking event, consider one of these: Industry Specific Gatherings These are networking events that are related to a specific industry – for instance, IT, banking, or software engineering. These event attendees usually have a guest speaker, sponsor, or activity for the attendees to experience, such as a masterclass or QA session. Aside from networking, attending in-person events can provide you with unique insights and expose you to a variety of industry leaders and career opportunities which you might not be familiar with. Engaging in these events fosters meaningful conversations with professionals in your field. Conferences and Seminars Conferences and seminars are usually held to foster information sharing or project/product unveiling for attendees. Although these are not held exclusively for networking, you can also build professional connections by attending these. These events are often open to the public, and by attending you can also learn about industry and product trends, which can help you in your job, especially if you work in a technology-based field. Professional conferences and industry conferences are excellent opportunities to meet new contacts and stay updated on the latest developments in your field. Speed Networking Events Similar to speed dating, speed networking events are held to encourage more connections between industry leaders, recruiters, and job seekers. Speed networking is designed for brief exchanges with others, so preparing your pitch, self-introduction, and some business cards is required. Aside from gaining new connections, speed networking events are ideal if you want to get your business or product out to new people, build relationships, work on your social skills, or learn more about a specific industry. Participating in this type of event can be a great way to gain a new skill in networking. Alumni Networking Events Alumni events are held for those who have graduated from a specific college or university’s department or program. This type of networking event often involves guest speakers, keynote speakers, or activities and is a way for alumni to reconnect with each other. Networking here can be slightly easier, as you will already have something in common with the other attendees! These events might be sponsored as well, so you can gain some insight into industry leaders. Aside from networking, you can expect a guest lecture or QA session during the event, helping you to build professional relationships. Roundtable Discussions Roundtable discussions are usually academic events, where members of a research project gather and discuss important insights they gained through their projects. However, these don’t always have to be academic in nature – some roundtable discussions are general career-themed discussions led by a company or industry board. In some ways, a roundtable discussion is like a live podcast. After these discussions, there is usually a lunch or coffee hour for attendees to mingle with each other – this is where you can network. Aside from networking, the roundtable discussion is a great opportunity to hear insights and reflect on big topics in your industry. If you are a leader or manager, these are especially valuable, as many also include a QA session at the end. Workshops Workshops are often held to upskill or update information related to your career. By attending a workshop, you will gain valuable tangible skills to take back and implement into your work. However, these events can be all day and often include lunch and coffee breaks, where you can networking opportunities with others. A workshop often involves discussion and teamwork activities, where you can share ideas. Participating in small group activities or discussions within smaller groups can be particularly beneficial for those who are new to networking, as it provides an easy way to build your skills. Career Fairs Career fairs are a great networking event with a variety of people. The main focus of a career fair is to be exposed to a range of potential job openings, companies, and recruiters, so you can very easily and naturally practice networking. Universities often hold career fairs, so make sure you regularly check to see if there is one held near you. Aside from networking, you can expect to learn valuable information regarding your ideal career and potentially talk to some hiring managers or recruiters to receive feedback on your CV or resume, potentially leading to a new job. Virtual Events/ Webinars Some companies, businesses, or industry boards will hold webinars as a way to connect with those interested in joining their company. Sometimes these webinars are focused on a specific topic or skill, and other times they are general informational talks. Usually hosted by a recruiter or leadership team member, these webinars include audience participation or discussion. You can turn these webinars into virtual networking events by inviting other attendees to add you on LinkedIn or Cake Meet. Additionally, you can share a reflection on your LinkedIn profile about what you have learned during the webinar, and thank the hosts by tagging them. A post like this will boost engagement on your profile, and allow you to network by putting yourself out there! Participating in online forums related to your industry is another excellent way to expand your network. Furthermore, attending an online event can help you stay updated with industry trends and connect with professionals worldwide. Breakfast/ Luncheon Events Some industry boards, organizations, or chambers of commerce will hold breakfast or luncheon networking events, as a way of encouraging collaboration or gaining new clients. Attendance can require joining their organization or becoming a member of their mailing list; however, this is usually free. This is a great way to meet a few people who are like-minded or are in a similar industry to you and are often short 2-3 hour events that don’t require attending a talk or lecture. You can gain valuable insight into the industry or career you are in by attending these meetings. Happy Hour Networking Events Happy hour networking events are usually held after the workday is over, so you can attend without being absent from work. These events encourage networking with others, as they have a relaxed atmosphere and are not entirely dedicated to upskilling or information sharing. They are slightly more informal events, but you can expect to meet many diverse people there. This is a great way to build social skills if you are shy or new to networking.How to Find a Networking Event? If you are interested in attending a networking event, you will need to check your area for opportunities. There are plenty of networking events, but knowing where to seek them out can be a challenge. Some ways you can find a networking event near you include: Social Media Companies will often post about their networking events on both professional and personal social media platforms. You can search “networking” and your city to narrow down events near you. Some social media platforms you can utilize include: LinkedIn: following leading recruiters, recruiting agencies, industry boards, organizations and chambers of commerce will allow you to keep up-to-date with networking events. You can also join alumni groups on LinkedIn to make sure you are notified when alumni events are held.📚Further reading: How to Find Recruiters on LinkedIn - Unlocking Your Career Connections [+ Tips] Facebook: Many companies will post their webinars, conferences, or career fairs on Facebook, so you can stay up-to-date with them as they are posted. Many local areas have their own dedicated Facebook group for specific industries or even just networking-focused groups. Consider joining them and discussing with other members to see if you can gain new connections. Twitter: Conferences, events, and online webinars are often advertised on Twitter, especially for academics. If you are an academic, or you are self-employed, a presence on Twitter is especially useful for virtual networking.📚Further reading: 10 Best Professional Networking Sites To Expand Your Professional Network Community Bulletins/ Local Events Your community bulletin board, local newspaper or events calendar will likely have some events for you to utilize in your networking. Check local community boards for events for you to mingle with others and establish connections. Industry-Specific Websites Some industries have dedicated boards or organizations for professionals to keep updated on the latest industry trends. Check these or sign up to their mailing list so you can be notified of upcoming networking events. Some industry-specific websites could be related to: An accredited profession e.g. accountingWomen in STEMOrganizations for specific regions Ask Around Ask colleagues, friends, family, or people you have previously networked with if they know of any networking events. The people closest to you know you well, and will likely be able to recommend some events that would suit you the best. You never know unless you try!How to Prepare for Networking Events? Being prepared at a networking event can help you ease nerves and ensure smooth interactions. By being prepared, you will come across as more confident with others, and allow for a good first impression. Here is our guide for preparing for a networking event: Research Research the event and its attendees, such as speakers, sponsors, leaders, or company representatives. Make sure you also are familiar with the hosting organization, its background, and how it relates to you. All of this can be found on the event website, as well as the websites of the related companies. Prepare an Elevator Pitch An elevator pitch is a short overview of your background, experience, and career, as well as what you are looking to achieve in the future. If you have a specific product or project you are working on, introduce it during your pitch. An elevator pitch should be less than one minute long and should be practiced in a way that sounds natural, compelling, and concise. An elevator pitch is not a monologue to recite to others, but should instead be a way for you to naturally and professionally introduce yourself. Update Your Business Cards Make sure your business cards are up-to-date and professional. Check your email, name and number are all correct, and that the card represents you in a professional manner. Ensure you keep your business cards somewhere where they are kept pristine, such as in a wallet or card case, and keep enough on you so that you can provide one when needed. Plan Your Attire Choose an outfit that is professional yet suitable for the event. Make sure your clothes are cleaned, ironed, fit well, and look professional ahead of time, and schedule any dry cleaning or other tailoring services if needed. In general, business casual is appropriate for a networking event. Make sure your hair and makeup are in good condition as well. Prepare Questions Make sure you have some open-ended questions you can bring with you to foster natural conversations with people at networking events to network effectively. Open-ended questions are ones that cannot be answered with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ – and instead open up discussion with others. Choose a selection of questions for a variety of people and scenarios, as well as what your answer would be should they choose to ask you. Some open-ended questions include: Nice to meet you, how did you find out about this event?What did you think of the speaker we listened to earlier?What was the most valuable skill you have learned recently? Conclusion Networking events are opportunities for you to meet others in a similar career or industry and develop meaningful relationships with them. By making strong relationships, you can then assist each other in your professional development. You can also use networking as a way to gain insights, seek opportunities, or pitch yourself to people, ultimately leveling up your career. There are plenty of events you can network at, in-person and online, and you can find out about these events by looking at local job boards, social media and asking others. Coming prepared to a networking event will allow you to ease nerves and make a confident first impression, and you can do so by being organized, making an elevator pitch, and thinking of some open-ended questions. To learn more networking tips, head over to Cake and read up on ways you can develop in your career!Cake is a free resume maker and portfolio builder that provides hundreds of resume templates (free download) and various job resume examples to help showcase the best you. Landing your dream job will be a piece of cake!Create Resume --- Originally Written by Bronte McNamara ---

A Comprehensive Guide to Succession Planning Best PracticesKeeping high-performing employees in the company, and encouraging them to level up in the workplace is one of the key roles of HR. This is known as succession planning, and requires detailed planning in order to ensure employees can smoothly transition through roles. Despite its importance, only 35% of companies have formal succession plans – so today, we’ll go through ways HR professionals can form their own succession plans for their employees.Table of Contents:What is Succession Planning?Why is Succession Planning Important?Succession Planning StepsSuccession Planning Best PracticesKey Takeaways What is Succession Planning? Succession planning involves identifying key roles within a company, and planning the trajectory for high-value employees to transition to these roles. Succession planning is different from traditional talent management as it involves analysis of the current positions, structures and dynamics of key employees who are already with the company. Talent management often involves only sourcing new candidates to join a team.Why is Succession Planning Important? Although statistics show that most companies do not have a formal succession planning process, succession planning is important for a variety of reasons, such as: Preventing Leadership Voids and Disruptions Succession planning means that HR is required to assess the current company’s leadership structure. By identifying the key roles in a company, HR can plan around the current leadership capacity, address deficits and form plans to accommodate for changes. Fostering Employee Growth and Development Succession planning also involves forming processes to allow for employees to transition between roles within a company. By setting up a formal guideline and process for these transitions, employees can develop themselves towards their career goals. Increasing Loyalty Employees could be more likely to stay loyal to their company if there is a clear trajectory for their career growth. Careful succession planning can allow for employees to feel motivated to continue their career with your company. Flexible Talent Pool By having clear succession planning for the key roles in the company, you can easily adapt to staffing changes, as your talent pool is able to easily transition between roles. Adapt to Changes If your industry is prone to changes, having clear succession planning surrounding key roles can allow for quick changes to roles or responsibilities if necessary. This is especially important for companies who have a diverse range of talent in technology.Succession Planning Steps Now we know why it's so important, it's time to make our own succession planning processes. Let's go through the steps for succession planning: 1. Determine Critical Positions Reflect on your company’s structure and key roles for each department – you can refer to company structure documents or go and ask teams directly. Determine what the most critical responsibilities are, and the skills needed to fulfill them. 2. Evaluate Current Workforce Analyze the current team and determine who is capable of fulfilling the critical positions. The current team includes all of your employees, not just ones in a senior or critical position. 3. Identify Potential Assess who is qualified for the critical positions, or who has potential to fulfill them in the future. Also take note of employees who could become leaders in their roles, and see how they fit into the succession planning processes. 4. Create Individualized Plans Create succession plans for the employees you deem suitable for transition to these critical roles now or in the future. You can also do generic succession planning for your company, without any personalization. 5. Outline Career Paths Make a reasonable career path for these critical positions or high potential employees. Reflect on the achievements, skills, goals and experiences which would need to be met before transitioning through each step of the career path. 6. Provide Targeted Training Succession planning is not just about the career paths of high potential employees, but also helping them along the way as well. Think of what programs, skills or courses employees could take, and invite them to do so. Keep them in the loop of the company’s succession planning process, and how they fit in it.Succession Planning Best Practices Succession planning needs to be done in a sustainable way, so that it aligns with the company’s long and short term goals. Here are some extra things to keep in mind when succession planning: Incorporating Diversity and Inclusion Make sure that your succession planning efforts are also able to accommodate for, and include every employee. Keep your company’s DEI principles at the forefront of your succession planning – if you need some tips, we have a whole guide on diversity, equity and inclusion, right here. Maintain Transparency Succession planning processes, and any changes to an employees career trajectory should be shared openly. Maintain transparency by having conversations about succession planning processes and sharing documentation with the appropriate employees. Keep in mind some employees might not want to progress in their career the way you have outlined in your succession planning processes. Provide Ongoing Guidance Succession planning is there to help employees succeed in their careers in a way that aligns with the company. Providing continuous support for career development can assist employees in growing their career; we cover that topic in detail here. Encourage Internal Talent Mobility Use succession planning as a way to utilize your current group of employees, and provide them with opportunities to grow. Internal hires are deemed more competent and successful than external hires, so find ways to encourage internal talent to transition through the company. Adaptable Planning Being adaptable in your succession planning processes can make sure you have plans for when changes occur. Add flexibility in your succession planning by identifying backup candidates and alternative strategies for key roles, especially for leadership positions.Key Takeaways Succession planning allows for companies to maintain processes surrounding employees in key roles. Aside from giving HR a formal process for transitioning employees through roles, succession planning allows employees to develop their own career trajectory in line with company goals. A structured plan which can adapt to changes if necessary will allow you to utilize your current employee talent, and maintain a fulfilled workforce. To learn more about the best practices we mentioned, consider browsing Cake’s articles for free!Cake is afree resume makerandportfolio builderthat provides hundreds ofresume templates (free download)and variousjob resume examplesto help showcase the best you. Landing your dream job will be a piece of cake!Create Resume — Originally Written by Bronte McNamara —

Microaggressions in the WorkplaceA healthy and professional work environment is one of the drivers of an efficient and productive workplace and should be a top priority for both HR and administrative departments. A toxic workplace can have significant and lasting detrimental effects on employee well-being, productivity, and overall company success. Microaggressions in the workplace are the title given to this pattern of behavior and subtle and often unintentional discriminatory remarks or behaviors. These microaggressions in the workplace are a major contributor to toxicity. Recognizing and addressing microaggressions in the workplace is crucial for fostering inclusivity and preventing a hostile atmosphere. According to a survey conducted by CultureMonkey, over 75% of employees have witnessed or experienced some form of microaggressions in the workplace. These incidents have been shown to lead to increased stress, reduced job satisfaction, and an overall decline in mental health. This article will offer practical tips for employees, employers and HR teams to identify, address, and prevent microaggressions in the workplace. We hope that the information you read here today will help you to create a more inclusive and supportive work environment and to be able to identify any microaggressions directed towards you or other colleagues in the workplace. Table of Contents:What is a Microaggression?Examples of Commonly Found Microaggressions in the WorkplaceBest Ways to Handle Microaggressions in the WorkplaceNegative Impacts of Unresolved Microaggressions in the WorkplaceKey Takeaways What is a Microaggression? Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional, verbal or nonverbal actions or behaviors that communicate negative messages to individuals based on their position within a marginalized group. While microaggressions in the workplace may be rooted in conscious or unconscious biases and be intentional or unintentional, they always contribute to a hostile and unwelcoming work environment. In this section, we will discuss the various forms that microaggressions take in the workplace, and provide examples of their most common representations. Microassaults: Microassaults refer to deliberate explicit derogatory actions intended to hurt or discriminate against someone. Common instances of microassaults in the workplace include using racial slurs against other people, making explicit sexist remarks to others (particularly of those of the opposite gender), or displaying discriminatory symbols to insult or offend another person.Microinsults: Microinsults are subtle, typically unconscious, comments or behaviors that convey subtle rudeness and insensitivity towards another person. Microinsults are usually the most common means through which a person demeans another’s cultural and/or personal identity. For example, microinsults in the workplace could be telling a person of color they are “articulate” or “surprisingly intelligent”, or assuming a woman received a promotion due to diversity initiatives over merit.Microinvalidations: Microinvalidations refer to dismissive behaviors that negate or invalidate the experiences or feelings of individuals from marginalized groups. Instances of micro-invalidations include dismissing a person's concerns about diversity issues with statements like: "You're too sensitive", or insisting that everyone is treated equally in the workplace without acknowledging systemic challenges. It cannot be understated that intimately understanding and addressing these types of microaggressions is crucial for creating an inclusive workplace where employees feel respected and valued. To this end, HR teams play a pivotal role in fostering awareness, providing education, and implementing strategies to prevent and address microaggressions in the workplace.Examples of Commonly Found Microaggressions in the Workplace Microagressions at the Workplace Now that you have an understanding of the forms that microaggression in the workplace can take, we will now elaborate on the most common instances of microaggressions that you may find directed against you or your colleagues in the workplace. Verbal Microaggressions As the name suggests, verbal microaggressions are verbally spoken slights against other people in the office due to some stereotype or preconceived notion an individual has against another. Verbal microaggressions in the workplace typically take the form of:Stereotypical assumptions: stereotypical assumptions are comments made against someone that are rooted in racial or cultural discrimination. An example of this could be assuming someone is good at math because they are of Asian descent.Backhanded compliments: a backhanded compliment gives praise and insult at the same time. These compliments often have underlying tones of stereotypical, racial, or gender-based discrimination. An example of a backhanded compliment could be telling a female colleague that “she is so articulate for a woman”.Racial or gender-based jokes: these inappropriate jokes are rooted in racism and sexism, and the intention of which is to offend rather than amuse. Racial or gender-based jokes typically include racial slurs or offensive gender-based language and create a hostile and uncomfortable working environment. Behavioral microaggressions Behavioral microaggressions in the workplace are patterns of behavior that exclude certain groups and/or give unfair disadvantages based on race or gender. Instances of behavioral microaggressions include:Exclusionary practices: exclusionary practices marginalize one group from the larger workforce and are divided based on race, gender, or any preconceived stereotype. Exclusionary practices typically include not inviting an employee to an event based on their race or cultural background.Interrupting or talking over someone: respect for others keeps an office work environment comfortable and welcoming. However, interrupting or talking over someone shows a lack of respect and care for their opinions and ideas. This is a form of microaggression that is aimed at undervaluing the opinions of a certain minority or discriminated group and perpetuates a hostile and unaccepting work environment.Unconscious bias: unconscious biases are one of the most difficult microaggressions to spot and resolve. These biases are implicit (unconscious) and affect an individual's decision-making process and outcomes. Employees with an unconscious bias for one race, gender, or group may unconsciously gravitate towards making decisions in favor of that group over any other. Environmental microaggressions Environmental microaggressions in the workplace refer to the features of a workspace or work culture that foster discrimination or bias against one group of people over another. Some common examples of environmental microaggressions include:Lack of diversity in office settings: a lack of gender or racial diversity within the workplace creates an environment of discrimination against the marginalized group that has been excluded. This may impact day-to-day operations within the workplace and can have negative impacts when doing business with other companies or clients who belong to or whose team includes the group that is being discriminated against.Insensitive cultural appropriation: cultural appropriation refers to the appreciation of features from a culture’s history, symbols, language, or traditions for the sole benefit of adapting it for profit-making purposes. Cultural appropriation does not pay homage to the cultural significance of the features they are taking from others and is instead insensitively used to further a campaign or event.Absence of inclusive policies: inclusivity has become a core feature and a subject of attention for almost every modern company. Companies that lack policies promoting inclusivity within the workplace perpetuate a culture of discrimination, conscious and unconscious biases, and stereotyping against people of minority races, cultures, religions, and beliefs. Best Ways to Handle Microaggressions in the Workplace To handle microaggressions in the workplace, employers must identify their existence in the first place. In this section, we will discuss techniques and steps that employers and those in HR can implement to limit, control, and combat instances of microaggressions in their workplace. Setting clear anti-microaggression policies Establishing explicit and comprehensive anti-microaggression policies is a critical step in eliminating microaggression in the workplace and creating an environment that values diversity and inclusion. These policies should clearly articulate the expectations for behavior, consequences for violations, and the commitment to fostering an inclusive environment. This way, your employees will have a clear idea of what constitutes microaggressions in the workplace, and will also be aware of the protections that the company offers them if microaggressions are used against them. Providing allyship and support to the marginalized Fostering a sense of community within the company is an important step for both creating a harmonious and efficient work environment, as well as offering a way for marginalized groups to seek support from their colleagues. All employees should feel comfortable enough to both approach others for help and support others in the event of targeted microaggressions in the workplace. Developing this behavior in the workplace will both reduce the number of microaggressions in the workplace and will help employers hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. Facilitating difficult conversations Apart from administration, the Human Resources department is the best place to turn to in the event of microaggressions in the workplace. Many believe that human resources, unfortunately, have a bad reputation for being uncaring or unsympathetic towards the plights of their fellow employees. In reality, this should never be the case; human resources should be trained to act on received complaints of microaggressions in the workplace. To facilitate this, anti-microaggression policies should be incorporated into employee handbooks and the company’s code of conduct to protect all employees and provide transparent and standard operating procedures should microaggression in the workplace ever be reported. Taking swift and decisive action When thinking about how to handle microaggression in the workplace, two words should always come to mind: swift and decisive. When a report has been filed, it is best to act on it and follow through with the appropriate measures and inquiries. This ensures that your employees feel protected and prevents further microaggression displayed in the office by the same offender. Establishing employee resource groups Employees should always be furnished with the appropriate resources and facilities to streamline their workflows in the office. Resource groups should be formed to provide support and information for those affected by microaggressions in the workplace. Having these groups in place helps to create a working environment where employees are cared for and their concerns are understood and addressed. Encouraging bystander intervention Employees should be trained to intervene in any witnessed instance of microaggression in the workplace. This system of accountability is designed to discourage the offensive act from taking place in the first place, as would-be offenders are less likely to make inappropriate comments in the face of extreme social and peer criticism. If an intervention is necessary, this system of support has the added benefit of ensuring that follow-up measures are taken to address the situation in a manner that is in line with company anti-microaggression policies. Scheduling periodic cultural audits Employers may also choose to perform periodic audits, or evaluations, of the departments within their company to ensure and keep track of the cultural sensitivity within day-to-day operations. These audits could be effective in identifying any unconscious bias or lack of inclusivity policies that harm or leave marginalized groups exposed to microaggressions in the workplace. Coming up with recognition programs for inclusive behaviors A great way to motivate a workforce is to provide reinforcement incentives to reward exceptional performance. Employers could consider implementing a form of recognition program that rewards employees who go above and beyond to champion and execute more inclusive behavior in their daily life around the office.Negative Impacts of Unresolved Microaggressions in the Workplace Microaggression in the workplace should always be addressed in a timely and efficient manner. If left unresolved, many repercussions may lead to a decrease in operational efficiency and lower morale in the office. Some negative of unresolved microaggression in the workplace include: Mental and emotional toll on employees Employees should always feel as though they are working in a safe and protected environment. If microaggressions are left unresolved, employees are bound to feel uncomfortable working in an environment where their feelings and identities are at risk for insult and beratement. This takes a mental and emotional toll on employees, especially the victims, and can lead to an unproductive workforce and even lawsuits down the line. Decreased team morale and productivity Building from the mental and emotional toll that unresolved microaggressions in the workplace can have, team morale and productivity are bound to be impacted as employees become more unwilling to engage in communication with their peers. This unwillingness may result from many things, but the most common would be a general reluctance to engage in conversation with others for fear of being insulted or falling victim of workplace microaggression. The overall working environment will be correspondingly hostile, which in turn damages the productivity of the workforce as a whole. High employee turnover A hostile and uninviting work environment stemming from microaggression in the workplace naturally breeds a place where employees will not want to work in. Unresolved incidents of microaggression show employees that administration is uncaring to the discrimination occurring in their company. Naturally, employees will begin leaving for companies where their mental and physical wellbeing are cared for.Key Takeaways Microaggressions in the workplace are toxic and are rooted in deep-seated racism and sexism, and should be addressed as soon as they are brought to the attention of administration and human resources. While microaggressions in the workplace can take many forms, employees should always be provided the resources and information needed to support victims and report incidents when they arise. Admin and HR should work together to produce standard procedures and steps to investigate and resolve all reported incidents of microaggression in the workplace, so as to foster a working environment that is both protected and productive!. If you are looking to improve your professional life, consider checking out other Cake articles! Our expansive archive of articles take deep dives into the inner workings of office life, and tips and tricks you can use to better yourself and your professional image in the workplace! Cake is a free resume maker and portfolio builder that provides hundreds of resume templates (free download) and various job resume examples to help showcase the best you. Landing your dream job will be a piece of cake!Create Resume — Originally Written by Alexander Coye —

Singapore Visa GuideSingapore, a vibrant melting pot of cultures and a thriving hub for global commerce stands as an alluring destination for travelers, expatriates, and business professionals alike. Whether you're a prospective student eyeing Singapore's prestigious educational institutions, a professional seeking career advancements, or an entrepreneur aiming to tap into the dynamic business scene, understanding the diverse spectrum of visa options is the key to unlocking the doors to this extraordinary city-state. In this article, we will share with you a comprehensive guide to Singapore Visas, from Singapore work visas to Singapore tourist visas and everything in between, let's navigate the intricate types of Singapore visa requirements, ensuring your experience in the Lion City is nothing short of extraordinary. Table of ContentsTypes of Singapore Visas You Can ApplyHow to Apply for a Visa to SingaporeVisa Renewals and ExtensionsVisa Guide for International Students in SingaporePermanent Residency and Citizenship in SingaporeKey Takeaways Types of Singapore Visas You Can Apply Types of Visas to Singapore 1) Singapore Tourist Visa:Singapore tourist visas are typically granted for those visiting for tourism activities, including exploring Singapore's attractions, enjoying vacations, and visiting family and friends. Common requirements include a valid passport, completed visa application form, proof of onward or return ticket, hotel reservation details, and financial sufficiency. Tourist visas are typically issued for 30 to 90 days, and extensions are possible in certain cases, but the process and eligibility criteria may vary.It's essential to check with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) for eligibility according to your country of origin and the latest information. 2)Employment Pass:The Employment Pass is designed for foreign professionals, managers, executives, and skilled workers. To qualify, individuals must hold a job offer in Singapore and meet the requirements of the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).Employers are responsible for Singapore visa applications on behalf of their foreign employees. Key criteria include a job offer, a fixed monthly salary, relevant qualifications, and professional experience. Employment Passes are categorized based on the applicant's qualifications, experience, and salary. For example, P1 Pass is for those earning a higher salary and holding key positions, while P2 and Q1 Passes cater to mid-level skilled workers. 3) Dependant Pass:Dependents of Employment Pass holders, including spouses and children under 21, may apply for a Dependant Pass as their visa to Singapore, which is typically submitted by the employer or a sponsor. Dependents can live, study, and work in Singapore. However, there may be limitations on certain types of employment. The Dependant Pass is tied to the validity of the Employment Pass of the primary pass holder. 4) S Pass:S Pass is a Singapore work visa designed for mid-skilled workers employed by companies in Singapore. It is suitable for technicians, skilled workers, and those with relevant qualifications and work experience. Employers apply for the S Pass on behalf of their employees. Criteria include a job offer, a fixed monthly salary, and meeting the stipulated skill and qualification requirements. 5) EntrePass:The EntrePass Singapore business visa is tailored for foreign entrepreneurs looking to start and operate a business in Singapore. Entrepreneurs must submit a detailed business plan and meet criteria such as a viable business idea, financial capability, and entrepreneurial experience. The EntrePass facilitates the growth of the local business landscape by attracting international entrepreneurs.How to Apply For a Visa to Singapore Prepare All Necessary Documents for Visa Applications These include a valid passport, completed visa application form, passport-sized photographs, flight itinerary, hotel reservation details, proof of financial sufficiency, and any specific documents based on the visa type. The common Singapore visa photo requirements would be it should measure 35mm in width x 45mm in height (head should be 25mm to 35mm, centered and looking forward), in color, on a white background. Apply on the Correct Portal Visa applications are typically submitted to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) or the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), depending on the visa type. Many can make Singapore visa online applications through the official government portals, streamlining the process and reducing paperwork. Understand the Processing Time Processing times vary based on the type of visa and the completeness of the application. Singapore tourist visa applications often have quicker processing times, while Singapore work visas and passes may take a few weeks. It's advisable to check the official websites for the most accurate and up-to-date information on processing times. Key to Successful Application Be aware that common pitfalls include incomplete documentation, inaccurate information, and ignoring eligibility criteria. Here is your key to a successful Singapore visa application: Plan Ahead: Start the application process well in advance to account for any unforeseen delays.Seek Professional Advice: If unsure about any aspect of the application, consider consulting with a visa consultant or legal professional.Follow Guidelines: Adhere closely to the guidelines provided by the authorities to enhance the chances of approval. Visa Renewals and Extensions Tourist Visas in Singapore can often be extended, but it's crucial to confirm eligibility and follow specific procedures by checking with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). It's a common requirement for professionals needing to renew work-related visas in Singapore. To ensure a smooth process, those holding employment passes should initiate renewal well before the expiration date. Criteria for renewal include maintaining a valid job, meeting salary requirements, and complying with relevant regulations. S Pass renewals follow similar criteria, focusing on continued employment and salary conditions. The standard criteria for renewal include providing evidence of ongoing employment, a valid employment contract, meeting minimum salary requirements, and following all relevant rules and regulations. Typically, renewals are processed through the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) portal. Whether initiated by employers or employment pass holders, it's important to submit all required documentation. The costs of renewal vary based on the visa type and extension duration. Stay updated on the latest requirements and fee structures by checking with the respective authorities.Visa Guide for International Students in Singapore Documents to Prepare Before Applying for a Singapore Student Pass This dedicated section is crafted for individuals with a passion for learning and exploring the avenues for studying in Singapore. Here's a summary covering everything from eligibility criteria to work opportunities for students on a Student Pass: Eligibility is primarily tied to acceptance into a recognized educational institution. For undergraduate and graduate programs, aspiring students must secure admission to a Singaporean university or educational institution.Applications are typically processed by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Prospective students often apply through the Student's Pass Online Application Registration System (SOLAR).Common documents include a valid passport, a letter of acceptance from the educational institution, proof of financial ability, and a recent passport-sized photograph. Additional documents may be required based on the specific requirements of the educational institution.Application fees are associated with the Student Pass application process. The amount may vary and is subject to change, so it's advisable to check with the relevant authorities for the latest fee structure.While studying in Singapore, students on a Student Pass may have opportunities to engage in part-time work.Part-time Work: International students are typically allowed to work part-time during term time and full-time during vacation periods. Certain restrictions and conditions apply, and it's crucial to adhere to the guidelines set by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).Internship: Some student passes may allow for internships or practical training as part of the academic curriculum. Students must ensure that any work undertaken complies with the regulations outlined by the authorities Permanent Residency and Citizenship in Singapore For those envisioning a more enduring connection with Singapore, the Permanent Residency (PR) scheme serves as a pathway towards a deeper integration into Lion City. Here's a comprehensive guide outlining eligibility requirements, the application process, fees, and the significant link between PR status and Singaporean citizenship: Eligibility for PR status in Singapore is contingent upon factors such as employment status, family ties, or investment in the country. Common eligibility criteria include holding an Employment Pass or S Pass, being a spouse or child of a Singapore citizen or PR, or making significant economic contributions to the nation. PR applications are typically submitted through the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) or the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The process may involve the submission of personal and financial documents, as well as a comprehensive review of the applicant's background. The fee may vary based on the type of application (e.g., under the Professionals/Technical Personnel Skilled Workers Scheme). It is advisable to refer to the official websites for the most up-to-date information. The processing time for PR applications can vary. Applicants should be prepared for a waiting period, and it's essential to check with the relevant authorities for the latest information.PR status serves as a foundation for individuals holding Singapore visas aspiring to become Singaporean citizens. After fulfilling the necessary requirements and residing in Singapore for a stipulated period, PR holders may be eligible to apply for citizenship. PR status brings about various benefits, including the ability to live and work in Singapore without the need for a work pass. PR holders may also enjoy social and economic advantages, contributing to a more integrated life in Singapore.Key Takeaways In conclusion, navigating the diverse landscape of Singapore visas is a crucial aspect of planning a journey to the Lion City. Let's recap the key points and underscore the significance of meticulous planning and documentation: Diverse Visa Options: Singapore offers a spectrum of visa options catering to various needs and intentions.Proper Planning and Documentation: The success of any visa application lies in meticulous planning and thorough documentation.Timeline Considerations: Whether you're planning a short visit, embarking on a professional endeavor, or pursuing education, planning ahead ensures a smooth and timely visa application process.Work Opportunities and Benefits: For those entering Singapore for work or study, understanding the work opportunities available and the benefits associated with specific visas, such as part-time work for students or eligibility for permanent residency, adds an extra layer of strategic planning.Permanent Residency as a Goal: For individuals considering a long-term commitment to Singapore, acquiring Permanent Residency can be a pivotal step. In your pursuit of Singaporean adventures, remember that the key to a successful and enriching experience lies in informed decision-making. Take the time to explore the intricacies of each visa option, plan diligently, and compile the necessary documentation. Safe travels and best wishes for your endeavors in the Lion City! Found this article helpful? Follow our blog for more career advice!— Originally written by Wendy Chang —

Google Free Certification Courses Table of Contents Google Digital Marketing Courses Google Cloud Certification Courses Google Data Analytics Certification Courses Google Developer Certification Courses Google UX Design Certification Courses Google AI and Machine Learning Certification Courses How to list certificate in a resume Certifications and Certificates are quickly becoming a mainstay in the most successful resumes in the current job market. With the price of traditional education continuing to climb and the implementation of higher education standards to land top positions, online training has become a cheaper, sometimes free, alternative to learning new professional skills and qualifications. Online learning is perfect for the modern professional who lacks the time or resources to dedicate to formal schooling and allow them to keep up to date with new trends, technologies, and industry knowledge. Google is a trailblazer in qualified certification courses for several highly desirable skills. Google’s initiative in providing certification courses lies in its goal of providing quality theoretical and practical instruction to professionals seeking positions in their fields. Millions have access Google online certification courses and leverage the experience and knowledge gained in their resumes and job negotiations! This article will discuss Google's free certification courses across a broad range of specializations. We will examine over 20 courses in-depth, examining their scope, prerequisite knowledge, and much more. If you want to learn more about the field you are working in or explore other career options, this article may be right for you! Google Digital Marketing Courses The digital marketing field is quickly growing in popularity for its high demand in every sector, business, and industry seeking to establish a strong online presence. Google marketing platform is a field worth discovering by those who are interested in working as marketers. In this section, we will discuss the five top free Google certification courses you can start to upgrade your digital marketing skills! Foundations of Digital Marketing and E-Commerce: The Foundations of Digital Marketing and E-Commerce Google course offers an introductory and general look into the digital marketing field. This course will take about 18 hours of dedicated work towards completion and is self-paced so you can learn at your leisure. This course is intended for beginners and takes you on a journey from introducing the basic nature and responsibilities of a digital marketer to explaining the metric and application of data in market analysis and teaching marketing campaigns that you have launched! With this certificate, you can gain the fundamental knowledge needed to take more advanced courses in digital marketing.Attract and Engage Customers with Digital Marketing: This 21-hour course takes a more focused approach, narrowing the scope of discussion to optimizing a company’s digital presence to attract more customers more engagingly. This certification is intended for those with some background knowledge of digital marketing and includes training on SEO strategies, search engine marketing, and setting up a website in the most appealing manner in line with marketing strategies. Website developers would also benefit from this course, as they would receive insight into improving a website’s design and structure from a marketing perspective. After completing this free Google course, participants should possess the necessary fundamental skills to seek entry-level positions in SEO content creation.Assess for Success: Marketing Analytics and Measurement: Google tools like Search Console, Ads or Keyword Planner are essential assets for any digital marketers nowadays. The Marketing Analytics and Measurements course is an intermediate-level certification that examines more complex topics in Digital Marketing. This course is longer, roughly 26 hours, and covers topics such as using and analyzing metrics from Google Ads and Google Analytics, measuring analytics strategies, and training on delivering metric analysis presentations to stakeholders. This course is highly recommended for those already working in the digital marketing field who would like to gain more theoretical and practical experience with Google marketing services and would like to receive more training on their delivery of results to stakeholders. Certificate holders of this free Google course can easily apply to positions in market analysis and other similar posts as they would receive the necessary training to read and successfully interpret consumer data.From Likes to Leads: Interact with Customers Online: This 28-hour course is another intensive course in the digital marketing field that, while beginner-friendly, is targeted towards those who are more experienced and wish to deepen their skill sets. This course takes participants along a journey, starting from a basic introduction to the importance of promoting a business or product to the consumer to social media publishing strategy, and analyzing social media engagement metrics. Certificate holders from this Google online course can move forward with exploring careers in social media management and positions as social media marketers in the marketing department of a company.Make the Sale: Build, Launch, and Manage E-Commerce Stores: This self-paced online Google course requires around 23 hours of dedicated time, and the content focuses on how to start, grow, and manage an e-commerce store platform. This course would most benefit small businesses and business owners who are considering moving their physical stores online. This course would also be suitable for e-commerce store managers who already possess strong expertise but would like to maximize the potential and reach of their service to a wider consumer base. Some potential career opportunities associated with this free Google course include store managers and digital marketing specialists, who can also assist experienced professionals who can apply the theories and ideas they learn to their daily practice. Google Cloud Certification Courses With businesses and services opting to take their service to the Google Cloud platform over privately hosting their servers, the need for qualified and certified cloud engineers is growing by the day! Cloud engineering is a complex field where professionals need a deep understanding of new technologies and standards to stay relevant and employed. Here are 5 key free Google courses that you can take to begin or deepen your knowledge of the cloud! Reliable Google Cloud Infrastructure: Design and Process: This is a relatively short (roughly 8-hour) advanced online training course for the Google Cloud system. In this course, participants will get fundamental training on the scope, purposes, and functions of the cloud; learn how to define application requirements and express them as KPIs, SLOs, and SLIs; and learn how to differentiate and choose the most appropriate Google Cloud storage and deployment service. As this is an advanced course, only those who have had substantial experience with cloud engineering are recommended to take this course; completing this course will provide a deeper understanding of the Google Cloud infrastructure, which can be leveraged into higher-paying positions further down the line!Google Cloud Fundamentals: Core Infrastructure: This free Google course offers an introductory examination of the Google Cloud platform core infrastructure and is a beginner course that all interested parties are welcome to join. The course can be completed in five hours and describes the foundational terminology and concepts needed to work with the Google Cloud, successfully covers policy Google Cloud skills and resource management tools, and introduces Google's various storage and computing services. Completing this course will earn you a number of Google Badges, which, like certifications, can be included in a resume to boost your qualified skill set and appeal to employers.Digital Transformation with Google Cloud: This online training Google course offers 2 hours of video content and instructional resources related to the concept of the digital cloud and its impact on business development models. In this course, participants will be guided through the fundamental concepts of the Google Cloud and the benefits of different infrastructure and storage options. At the end of the course, participants will be placed in a simulation where they will need to decide the most appropriate cloud infrastructure for a company’s described need. This course is recommended for beginners and can help even business owners determine the optimal cloud infrastructure for their company’s needs.Modernize Infrastructure and Applications with Google Cloud: This online training course teaches participants the skills and technical know-how to help dated web services transition into modern cloud systems. This course investigates cloud-based solutions to the computational, infrastructural, and storage problems that legacy private servers face. As another introductory and beginner-friendly course, this free online Google course is highly recommended for business owners who have no prior knowledge of computer science but wish to take their servers and customer data online to the cloud.Explore Data Transformation with Google Cloud: Data is everything in a business and tracking customer data with modern analytic tools can help to keep a business competitive and relevant in the modern market. This course explores the value that the Google Cloud can add to business operations and the data analysis tools it contains that can streamline workflows and optimize operations within a business. This is a beginner-level course, and it is highly recommended that business owners take this course to learn how to utilize the cloud to maximize their ventures in the digital space. What’s more, this course is relatively short (about 2 hours of dedicated work in total), so the small investment of time can yield high rewards in the short term! Google Data Analytics Certification Courses The ability to analyze data metrics is an integral part of marketing and monitoring the success of digital services and campaigns. Google Ads and Good Analytics are Google services that form a central part of many modern businesses that wish to track and monitor the success of their digital presence. Here are five free Google courses that you can take to learn more about Google data analytics services. Foundations: Data, Data, Everywhere: This is an intensive 18-hour introductory-level course in data analytics. This course requires only a high-school level of math, which makes it easily accessible to the majority of people. The contents of this course range from introducing key concepts in data analytics to setting up a data spreadsheet and data visualization tools. This course also overviews the career potential for those proficient in data analytics, which is helpful for beginners to map out possible career paths from early on!Prepare Data for Exploration: The Prepare Data for Exploration course examines the factors of consideration when preparing data to be analyzed. Over its 25 hours of prepared videos, readings, and informational resources, this free Google course lays out the differences between biased and unbiased data, best practices for organizing data, filtering data from large datasets and much, much more! This course is another introductory session in data analytics and is recommended for those who are beginning to explore the field and what it has to offer.Process Data from Dirty to Clean: This course examines the difference between verifiable (clean) and inconsistent (dirty) data, and explores techniques and applications used to verify and maintain data integrity. This course is beginner-friendly and can be completed in around 26 hours of focused work. Persons interested in learning more about sourcing and analyzing data can consider taking this course! The lessons learned from this program can be applied across many fields, including engineering, medicine, and marketing.Analyze Data to Answer Questions: Processing unfiltered raw data can be an arduous and sometimes pointless task; taking time to process and sort data into manageable categories can ensure that your analysis results are relevant and organized. This course teaches participants the importance of organizing data before analysis through the use of SQL and other services. This 34-hour free Google course also covers instruction on the proper forms and syntax used in SQL and spreadsheet functions that can help to sort data. Course completers can leverage the knowledge from this course to seek positions in data analysis and management in fields like marketing and sales!Data Analysis with R Programming: R is a programming language used for statistical computing and data visualization. This 36-hour online Google course is a great introduction to a helpful data analysis tool. This course is targeted to those in the data analytics field or industries like marketing and sales; the skills learned can be directly applied to these positions to streamline workflows and increase efficiency. Google Developer Certification Courses The field of software development covers many skills and schools of knowledge, and a range of disciplines including computer networking, coding in many programming languages, and application development. In this section, we will cover five informational and helpful free Google developer courses that you can start today! The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking: This is an introductory online 27-hour Google course into the field of computer networking, a fundamental area of knowledge needed for aspiring software developers. This course covers topics ranging from introducing the range and features of Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), various networking services, and the connection of networking to the Internet. This course can be used to gain the knowledge base needed to understand more advanced concepts in networking and software development.Crash Course of Python: Python is a core programming language needed in the field of software and network development. This 34-hour online Google course covers the basics of the Python programming language; topics covered include basic Python syntax, loops, strings, and dictionaries. Interested students and professionals wishing to experience the field of computer science in general should definitely check this course out! The knowledge and skills gained can be applied to more advanced courses, which can be added to a resume to boost its appeal and even land entry-level positions!Kotlin Coroutines: Kotlin is a high-level programming language used in Android software development. This free online course covers the concept of Kotlin coroutines, which are used to simplify asynchronous code executions. This is a highly advanced course that only those very experienced in software development should attempt. That said, completers of this course will possess a core skill set that can be applied in higher-paying positions and can land good jobs in software development for application and web services.Introduction to Git and GitHub: GitHub is a free service that programmers use to create, store, share, and manage their code. This course is a beginner-friendly investigation into this core service, which almost all programmers interact with regularly! Over its 27-hour duration, participants will get hands-on experience in using Git and GitHub, learning about repositories and copying them to their own devices, and how to use the collaboration tools available in Git.Troubleshooting and Debugging Technique: Part of being a developer is being able to troubleshoot and identify vulnerabilities in their code. This introductory 24-hour free Google course covers topics related to troubleshooting and debugging, including optimizing software performance, identifying problems in code, understanding errors, and creating a plan to resolve them. Certificate holders of this online Google course can apply this knowledge in tandem with the other courses mentioned in this section to seek entry-level positions in software and application development! Google UX Design Certification Courses User Experience (UX) design is a complex field requiring background knowledge in the computer sciences. Here are five online Google courses that you can take to explore the field of UX design and train key skills that will support your success! Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design: The Foundations of UX Design online Google course is an introductory look into the scope, responsibilities, and career opportunities available in the UX design field. This 19-hour course is targeted at people with no prior experience in UX design and is meant to inform participants about the key concepts and theories of the field. Participants can take the knowledge gained from this course to find more specialized courses that can deepen their understanding of the broad field of UX design!Start the UX Design Process: Emphasize, Define, and Ideate: This 21-hour course takes a closer look at the UX design process, focusing on teaching beginners the first step in UX design: empathizing with the user. The course details the process by which UX designers understand the user’s frame of mind when using their service through designing empathy maps and persona creation. Beginners in UX design can then frame their thought processes in such a way that allows them to define user problems and create user-centered services that solve these identified issues!Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts: This course takes participants on the next step of the UX design process: conducting usability testing and surveys to identify areas of improvement. This course takes around 20 hours to complete and discusses how to plan and conduct a usability study, and how to properly analyze the collected data and present it for constructive feedback. Both beginners and veterans in the UX design field would benefit from this course. Experienced professionals, in particular, can use the knowledge gained from this free online course to streamline their own usability studies and optimize the data they collect and use in subsequent product design revisions.Create High-Fidelity Designs and Prototypes in Figma: This course teaches the fundamentals of an interface design program called Figma, a core competency in a UX designer’s toolbox. Throughout this 29-hour online Google course, participants will learn the principles and techniques of creating a high-fidelity design of a product called a mockup. The course ends by discussing the best ways to incorporate feedback on product mockups to create dynamic iterations that reflect design improvements in line with consumer interests. Beginners in UX design are recommended to take this course; the knowledge and technical skills of core design applications can be translated into entry-level jobs in UX design!Build Dynamic User Interfaces (UI) for Websites: This course focuses on UI design for websites and web-based services. For those who have a basic understanding of UX design theory and techniques, taking this course would provide a deeper understanding of UI design for website interfaces which can be included in resumes to build the strength of an application to a position in UX design. This course should take about 24 hours to complete and covers everything needed to successfully plan and test website prototypes. In addition, the course also offers tips for the UX design job hunt, including how to prepare a portfolio and develop an effective and informational design handoff presentation. This makes it a great course to take for beginners seriously considering seeking a position in the design industry! Google AI and Machine Learning Certification Courses AI development has taken the technology space by storm, with groundbreaking advancements being made year-on-year. This section discusses the top free online Google AI and machine learning courses that beginners and experienced professionals alike can take today! Nuts and Bolts of Machine Learning: Machine learning is a field that requires a substantial background in many concepts in computer science and programming. This is an advanced course that covers the concepts of machine learning, covering subjects including the types of machine learning, discussions on building complex machine models, and supervised and unsupervised learning techniques. This is a moderately long course, roughly 34 hours in length, and provides professionals adept in the computer sciences the foundational knowledge needed to independently explore the advanced field of machine learning!Get Started with Python: For those interested in what the fields of AI and machine learning have to offer, this is a great introductory course! This course covers the fundamentals of Python, one of the industry's most utilized programming languages. Python is a language commonly used to develop machine learning models and its knowledge can be broadly applied across many positions and fields in and outside AI development. Designed for those with prior industry knowledge, this 30-hour course will provide many skills and tools that can be applied to and leveraged for higher-paying positions requiring more qualifications or knowledge of Python!Machine Learning in the Enterprise: This free Google course offers an introductory discussion of machine learning in a real-world setting. By discussing workflow case studies and detailing data management and preprocessing tools, this course is a great option for those interested in how machine learning models can be trained and applied in the business setting. The course is roughly 32 hours in length and covers topics such as AutoML, BigQuery ML, and Vertex AI Vizier. Completers of this course can apply this knowledge in their existing workflows to identify areas of operation that can be made more efficient with a well-designed machine learning model!Google: Google AI for Anyone: This four-week, low-intensity course is a great introduction to the concept of AI for those who have little to no experience in computer science and AI! This course explores the fundamental principles of AI and how it is used in real-life applications, the differences between supervised and unsupervised machine learning, and neural networks, to name a few. This free Google course is specially designed for those with absolutely no background knowledge in computer science, mathematics, or machine learning and AI, so all are welcome to sign up!Google: Google AI for JavaScript developers with TensorFlow.js: This is a 7-week, self-paced, free online Google course that requires about 3 hours of work a week. This course is an advanced discussion on the applications of AI in web application services using TensorFlow.js. It is designed for those with prior experience in web design and computer science, so those with a matching background stand to gain the most from this free Google course. Completers of this course and the others mentioned in this section can use the knowledge gained to apply for more advanced courses that cover other concepts within the industry in deeper detail! How to list certificate in a resume Once you have taken the time to complete online courses to broaden your knowledge base and gain useful transferable skills, it is only right that you know where to put them so employers can properly see the extent of your qualifications! Typically speaking, certifications (traditional and online alike) are listed in their own section. In this section, certifications can either be listed in chronological order or by relevance to the position and company being applied to. When listing certifications on a resume, several features should be highlighted whenever possible. These include the course name, issuing institution, body or organization, the certificate title, date of completion, and, if possible, the certification serial number. The latter in particular is important for online certifications so that employers can verify the validity of the certification to ensure it was issued from a reputable source. Here is a general example of how to list a certification on a resume. Data Analysis with R ProgrammingOnline courseIssued by: Google Developer CoursesDate of completion, 23/01/2024 It is important to remember that your resume should always be tailored to the position and company you are applying to. When deciding which certifications to include in a resume, refer back to the job description and identify the skills and qualifications that are preferred and required by the company for the position. In addition, conduct your industry research and determine the skills and qualifications that the position you are applying to generally asks for. Then, identify the certifications that best align with these requirements and add them to your resume! You have the choice of listing them chronologically or by relevance – choose whichever fits the best for you! Conclusion Google’s Developer courses offer a wealth of information and resources for those interested in taking the next step into the digital industry. From the many fields of software development and networking to data analysis and digital marketing, free Google courses offer an attractive and resource-saving alternative to traditional schooling. For those who are willing to take the next step in their career and fully display their knowledge on their resumes, Google certificates offer a tangible demonstration of the time and energy spent honing skills from the convenience of your computer or mobile phone! 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