Support for Peaceful Protests and How to Document Informal Learning

Let me start today’s post by saying that I hope that everyone is safe and healthy. I also want to share that I support the peaceful protests against the inequalities that African Americans and other people of color have suffered for countless years. The time is long overdue for all of us to feel confident that our country’s justice system is fair, regardless of our skin color. I also encourage us all to partner our vote with our protests to create an even louder voice to bring about change. Please, let’s continue to love, respect, value and lift each other up as we ban together to fight a pandemic, financial struggles resulting from high levels of unemployment, and the stress of inequality. Yes, these are difficult times, but we are stronger together…no matter the enemy. So, let’s continue to be the change we want to see.

Today’s post is about documenting informal education on your resume. You know…that certificate that you earned from Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, etc. Believe it or not, independent learning has gained increased credibility over the past year. Many employers now realize that a college degree is not always required for success on the job. So, document your independent learning the same as you document your formal education. Include an “Education” section on your resume. Then list your education, formal and informal in reverse chronological order. Do this by including the Name/Title of the certification, course, degree, program, etc., the date that you completed the requirements; and the provider (school, trainer, platform, etc.) from which you gained the education/training. If you are still studying list an anticipated (future) date of completion. If you are currently between jobs, my encouragement to you is to keep your skills fresh by learning new ones and finding new ways to utilize your new knowledge, even if it is in a volunteer capacity.

Volunteering can be a great segway into a new niche. That way, you’ll kill to three birds with one stone…1) New skills development; 2) paying it forward through volunteerism; and 3) creating a path to a career change if that is something you want to achieve.So what are you waiting for? Get online and learn a new skill, then update that resume.If you like today’s message, scroll down to the bottom of the page and leave me a message.

I’m Cynthia O. as always, Career Success to You! Go Get Your New Job!

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