4 Good Reasons to List Online Courses When You Post Your Resume Free

When you post your resume for free, you want to include everything that may catch the eye of a potential employer. Today, that may include online courses. Perceptions are rapidly changing about the value of MOOCs (massive open online courses) and similar offerings.

Naturally, a degree that is received on campus still carries more credibility than one that was pursued entirely through the internet. However, online courses are becoming more highly regarded as a form of continuing adult education. In fact, as a growing number of companies launch their own educational and training initiatives online, they tend to adopt a more positive outlook on the whole issue.

If you’re in the market for a new job, these are 4 advantages and opportunities for highlighting online courses in your resume and social media profiles:

Enhance your keywords. Keywords are critical to getting spotted in an online search. Your resume may rise to the top if the course titles correspond with the position you’re seeking. It’s also beneficial if the classes were associated with a prestigious university or other institution.

Express your motivation. Initiative is a valuable quality for most positions. Many employers will take a favorable view of the fact that you use your leisure time to advance your knowledge and skills.

Demonstrate perseverance. Online courses have an extremely high dropout rate. A savvy human resources professional will note that any candidate who completes a course is probably above average in their abilities to manage their time and work toward goals.

Focus on your portfolio. While educational requirements are highly significant, the main criteria for many employers is your track record and potential for making a contribution quickly. Make sure you also give adequate time to presenting samples of your work.

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Consider the 15 Best States to Make a Living When You Search Job Listings

When you search job listings, you may want to give top priority to the 15 best states to make a living. You never know where your next opportunity may pop up, but targeting these markets could make your search go faster.

MoneyRates.com conducts an annual survey ranking states based on data from sources including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, cost of living data, state tax rates and the Gallup-Healthways index on workplace environmental ratings. These are the 15 states that got top ratings for 2013:

Washington: Washington is the clear winner. It has the lowest cost of living among the eight states where average wages exceed $50,000 a year. It also has no state income tax.

Virginia: Low unemployment (5.6%) and cost of living enable Virginia to come in second.

Colorado: In addition to the third best ranking for workplace environment, you’ve got the Rocky Mountains, skiing and national parks.

Texas: Texas has been in the top five for 3 years mostly for its low cost of living.

Wyoming: The home of Yellowstone National Park and Jackson Hole, also earns the second best score for work environments.

Minnesota: Minnesota is back in the top 10 after a narrow miss in 2012.

Nebraska: This is the first time Nebraska has cracked the top ten.

Utah: Enjoy a low cost of living and unemployment rate. If you don’t like crowds, it’s also the tenth least densely populated state.

Kansas: Yet another example of low cost of living and unemployment.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma is another newcomer to the top 10.

Rounding out the top 15 are Arizona, Iowa, Massachusetts, Missouri and Indiana. Hawaii came in last with a cost of living two-thirds higher than the national average.

Wherever you live or want to move to, you can contact us for the world’s largest free job and resume database. It’s the perfect place to search hundreds of thousands of jobs in the United States, Canada and worldwide.