The modern job market isn’t an easy thing to navigate, technology seems to have created job

titles that didn’t exist before and competitiveness makes even simple interviews daunting. It

can be hard to know what will give you the edge for potential employers. Experience,

degrees, connections, or simply how well you handle interviews can play a part in how your

employers see you.

Gaining a qualification can be another way of making you stand out in the job market. A

university degree may be required for some jobs, but these days a lot of employers look for

someone who has been trained in the position they want to fill. The good news is that

the number of vocational courses available has increased dramatically and it’s never been

easier to get one.

Gaining a qualification

Many industries are crying out for qualified staff, from healthcare to IT. This has also

increased the number of courses available for these industries. It’s now quick and easy to fill

in your details online and almost immediately begin a distance learning course for one of the

thousands of qualifications. This means you can study in your own time, and fit your learning

around family commitments or your current job. This is also ideal if you are looking to move

up in your industry, gaining experience and learning at the same time.

Online courses cover many levels, meaning you can top up your learning and take advantage

of opportunities. You can continue to progress in your field, taking the chance to increase

your knowledge as you build up your experience. Learning is an ongoing process and with

online courses, you can access lessons and webinars 24/7, almost anywhere. This not only

works for those who are looking to move forward in their industry but also those who are

returning to work.

Modern lives are defined by change and it’s no longer standard to either remain in one job

your whole life or to focus on family duty rather than a career as your vocation. Many people

either switch jobs or choose to return to work after a long absence. The flexibility of online

courses is also hugely beneficial in these cases. Learning can be scheduled around other

commitments, and you don’t have to face the uncertainty of trying to enter into a new

industry without any prior knowledge. Already having a qualification will give you the edge,

even if your previous experience is in another job, or no job.

Even if you are completely new to job hunting, if you’ve just left school or university,

looking at gaining a qualification is one of the best ways to get yourself noticed. The number

of people who study at university has increased dramatically over recent years, and for some

employers, it might not be what they are looking for. Certain industries in particular actually

prefer someone who has studied a course specific to the job. The combination of a degree and

qualifications can also really give you the edge in many areas of the job market.

Getting real industry knowledge

Online courses are often specifically tailored to suit positions in growing industries. Levels in

courses mimic career advancement, making it easy to move ahead in your job. For example, a

healthcare qualification will start at entry level – covering the basic knowledge essential for

the industry, and higher levels will cover management and leadership within the area.

Sections of the courses will cover a specific area and skills of the industry, and be updated to

move with the times.

A common problem with the modern job industry is that many jobs demand experience in a

similar position, which can make it difficult to enter a new career. Completing a career

specific qualification can be a great way to solve this issue. Because these courses focus on

specific skills required within a job, they can make you stand out to an employer even

without years of experience. Essentially a course can act as the equivalent of real experience

in a career, making it easier to get the job you want without need to have worked in it already

to do so.

Ultimately its so easy to gain a qualification through online courses that it's worth looking at

how such a course might help you. If you have a specific goal in mind there are many ways in

which studying for a qualification can help you achieve it. Take a look at what's available and

ask how the industry you want to work in can benefit from the skills you could learn.