Success in today's world requires continuous learning and growth to stand out from the crowd. By picking the right courses, you can add new skills to your resume and get noticed by potential employers. With so many e-learning platforms available, knowledge is just a few clicks away.

But how do you know which is the best course for learning? We got you covered. In this article, we help you with some handy tips to choose the right online course for your upskilling journey. Let’s get started.

1. Decide the Skill You Want to Learn

a girl learning new skills online

Before jumping on to find the right online course, it’s important to take a step back and decide on the skills you want to learn. Having a tradable skillset not only sets you apart from your peers, but also increases your employability prospects. Pick the most profitable skills that are high in demand and help you land new opportunities in the industry.

Moreover, you can also look for some online personality tests to know yourself better and the suitable field you should be in. As soon as you realize your potential strengths, match up with the key skills in the industry and assess your interest in those areas.

2. Explore the Platforms for Online Learning

linkedin learning vs udemy logo

After you decide on the skill you want to learn, the next step is to choose an online learning platform to sign up for a course. With so many online platforms available now for learning, it’s important you choose the right one.

Your chosen platform should have a wide range of courses available on the skill you decide to learn and a simple user interface for you to get acquainted with. The platforms like LinkedIn Learning and Udemy are the most popular ones among learners for upskilling. However, you can branch out to try out the other websites to learn new skills online.

3. Look for the Course Description

linkedin learning course description

The course description frames a brief overview of the course you’re about to sign up for. It includes the details, including hours required to complete the course, downloadable resources, and content that helps you understand the learning path of the course beforehand.

The description also contains the requirements for you to get started. Most of the courses won’t have any strict requirements and will only require your desire to learn. However, ensure you go through the description for any specific system essentials or prior knowledge needed.

You can also look over the content you’ll learn and see if the course covers all the points you need to acquire the skill. If you’re at a beginner’s level, you can look for a short course that covers the introduction to the skill you’re looking for and then branch out for advanced courses for deeper insights. Additionally, you can also go through the instructor’s bio to know more about them and their expertise in the field.

4. Check Content Quality

linkedin learning course

Good quality content is important to get the best possible experience of the course. It’s essential for the course you’re enrolling in to maintain consistency in providing high-quality video and audio content throughout.

However, not all platforms will allow you the freedom to check the video quality of every lecture before you sign up for the course. In such cases, you can always take advantage of the free preview videos available to check the consistency.

5. Check Reviews and Ratings of the Course

linkedin learning course review

Most of the online platforms for learning allow the users to give in their reviews. It helps you know other learners’ feedback on the course you’re willing to take. Genuine reviews can help you see the pros and cons of the course.

A good number of reviews reflect the transparency of the course and make you arrive at your decision faster. Even a few negative reviews add to the authenticity of the course, rather than detracting from it.

However, you don’t have to believe every negative review unnecessarily, but if they are really high, you may want to consider it before thinking of taking up the course. You can also view the ratings of the course, which is an average out of the 5 stars given by past learners.

6. Look for Certification

illustration of a phone, book, and certificate

After you complete a course, you may want to ensure you get a certificate as proof of your participation. It is common for e-learning platforms to provide you with a certificate after completing a course, however, you can check the course description just to be sure.

Of course, a certificate does not guarantee you a job, but you can add it to your resume to showcase your acquired skills. You can even show off your certificates on your LinkedIn profile to get noticed by potential employers. This will make you acquire an edge over other job-seekers and increase your chances of getting shortlisted.

7. Check the Price and Flexibility Offered by the Course

pricing plans -  linkedin learning

Finally, you have done your research right and got the right course for you. The last step that remains is to buy the course and start learning. The plans and pricing can vary according to the e-learning platform you choose.

A few platforms like Udemy allow you to buy individual courses, while platforms like LinkedIn work on a subscription-based model but also allow you to buy an individual course for the flexibility of learning at your own pace.

You can always compare the plans and pricing of the platforms to decide on which one you should go for. A subscription might be the best option if you are looking for a long-term learning experience. However, if you take up courses occasionally and prefer to learn on your own time, you might be better off paying for individual courses.

Level Up Your Skillset With the Right Online Courses

With the above-mentioned tips in mind, you can choose the best online courses to upskill yourself and stay ahead of the game. As online learning offers you the flexibility to learn in your own time and place, you can easily achieve your learning goals while still working your 9 to 5 job.

If you’re a student, online courses can give you good exposure to the field you’re interested in while you keep up with your studies. This allows you to add up on your lucrative skillset and keep up with the changing trends in the industry at the same time.