In Demand Skills You Can Learn Online For Free

If you want to buff up the skills section on your resume, you have a few big decisions to make. There are tons of skills you can acquire, and several platforms you can use to learn those skills. First, you need to pick which skills you want to obtain. Here are a few options.

Excel

Regardless of what industry you're in, you could benefit from having Excel skills. Spreadsheets are a great way to manage data, and few people have extensive experience with using all the features of Microsoft Excel. By learning how to use formulas and other features, you can boost your value.

One of the best ways to learn how to use Excel is to try it out yourself. If you already have Excel downloaded, play around with it. Search for tutorials and learn some of the more advanced Excel skills.

Languages

Even with the high percentage of Spanish speakers in this country, there are relatively few bilingual employees. If you want to be more of an asset to your employer, learn another language. Speaking multiple languages can open up new doors and give you a jump on the competition.

With programs like Duolingo, you can learn almost any language you want for free. Your local library might also have some free resources for learning a language. Even if you only spend a few minutes each day practicing your new language, you can quickly become adept at the language.

Adobe Photoshop

With Adobe Photoshop, you can edit images used for marketing, presentations, and much more. Even though you might not work in marketing, you can use your photoshop skills to help out in other ways. In this day and age, most employers need people with Photoshop skills.

Adobe Photoshop comes at a cost, but it may be worth it. At home, you can use Photoshop to improve your family photos. In the workplace, you can use Photoshop to make your presentations and materials more professional.

Photography

Your company's website and social media accounts need good pictures. Although you might not be a professional photographer, you can learn how to take much better photographs. Your pictures could boost sales, which makes you more desirable.

By watching YouTube photography tutorials, you can learn how to be a photography pro. If you have any friends or family members who are interested in photography, they may also be able to help.

Writing

If you learn how to write better, you can benefit in several ways. For one, you can use your writing skills to make your resume more professional. You can also use your writing skills to help out at work. For instance, you might offer to write a proposal or a manual. A course in technical writing could be everything you need.

There are also free online courses in writing. Before you sign up for a course, consider your goal for your writing skills. If you plan on using your writing to make blog posts, take a course in blog content. Meanwhile, a professional writing skills course might be more suitable.

Search Engine Optimization

Wherever you work, it's likely that your employer has an online presence. If you develop SEO skills, you can take measures to improve your company's visibility. There are several online courses that teach you the basics of SEO and get you enough knowledge to make a difference. And, if you really like the topic, you can look into a career in SEO.

Some of the major search engines offer free courses in SEO. If you do a quick online search, you should be able to find a few options. You can also rely on Coursera and Udemy to find appropriate courses.

Budgeting

If you're looking for a skill that you can use on both a personal and a professional level. As you move up the career ladder, you will need budgeting skills. Most managers need to have some level of budgeting skills. And, as an added benefit, you can use your skills to get your own finances in order.

For the basics of budgeting, you can download a budgeting app. If you want something more in-depth and professional, you should look into a course.

Project Management

For individuals who want to work in leadership roles, project management skills are a must. In the meantime, your project management skills are useful for your current position. You can become more efficient and get more done in less time.

If you want to pay for your project management skills, you can take a college course in project management. But there are free options available as well.

Public Speaking

You never know when you'll need to give a speech. Whether you win an award or lead a presentation, you need to be able to speak in public. Fortunately, there are easy ways to improve your public speaking skills. The next time you need to give a speech, you'll be more confident.

When it comes to public speaking, practice makes perfect. The more you speak, the better you will get at public speaking. For some tips and tricks on public speaking, you can take an online course.

The basics of social media marketing are easy enough to understand. After taking a quick online course, you can develop enough skills to assist your employer. You might spruce up your social media or start a side gig with social media marketing.

Like most of these other skills, there are ways to learn social media marketing online. YouTube can also be an asset.

What to Do with Your Skills

After you brush up on one or more of the skills above, update your resume. Even if you're not in the market for a new job, you might be looking for work in the near future. Including your new skills on your resume gives you a leg up on the competition. Furthermore, you may be able to use your new skills to earn a promotion with your current employer.