9 free short courses to build your skills now

Developing your skills is an effective way of standing out for that next role or promotion, or even as a way to change careers entirely.

Research conducted on behalf of SEEK showed that 47% of people believe doing a short course would have a considerable impact on their chances of landing a job. Hirers saw this as even more important, with 70% they would think more positively about candidates who have completed a relevant and timely short course. 

To help you build your skills, SEEK has partnered with GO1, a trusted online training platform, to provide free online short courses across a range of industries. The courses are all integrated into SEEK, so anyone can gain access by simply logging in to their SEEK Profile. And if you don’t have a SEEK Profile, you can create one for free now. The courses can also be added to your SEEK Profile as you complete them, so it’s easy to stand out and look even more appealing to employers.

Here are 9 free short courses that you can do right now to upskill and spend your time productively.

• Assertive communication skills
  Not all of us are equipped with the confidence and skills to talk clearly and honestly with co-workers, and sometimes this leads to communication breakdowns. This 90-minute course explains how emotions affect communication, how to change bad habits, and teaches proven communication techniques to help you get your point across while remaining calm and focused.

• An effective leader’s guide to time management
  That feeling that the day is slipping away from you is a frustrating one. But learning how to manage and prioritise your time can help you get more done in the time that you have. In just 30 minutes (because time is of the essence!) this course teaches how to integrate effective time management skills into your daily routine. Take it now to increase your productivity and own your time.

• Choosing the right interpersonal communication method to make your point
  This 30-minute course shows you how to select the best communication methods to convey your intention and target your audience. By doing so, you improve the odds of getting your message across and leaving your audience feeling informed, enlightened and engaged. What’s not to love about that?

• Energy management and productivity
  Who hasn’t struggled with self-motivation, particularly during stressful times? This course teaches how to manage your energy to get more done and feel better while you do it. In this 30-minute session, you’ll be able to implement a workable plan to energise your life and get more done.

• Forging ahead with perseverance and resilience
  Nothing feels more valuable right now than resilience. We all need the capacity to keep calm and carry on, so give yourself the chance to work on your resiliency, adaptability and perseverance. With this 30-minute course, you’ll discover how to build better work-life balance, sharpen your focus and develop the grit needed to face and overcome setbacks.

• Digital literacy – user basics
  Technology touches all parts of our lives now. If you feel like you could use some help with it, or simply want to brush up on your computer skills, this is the course for you. In 35 minutes, you’ll learn the basics of digital literacy, from setting up your computer to understanding computer hardware.

• Negotiation skills
  In this 20-minute course you’ll gain negotiation skills that you can take with you to your next business meeting or job interview. Learn how to understand the power of negotiating for agreement (not conflict), how to use the PEACE model, and how to avoid common mistakes. Negotiation skills are invaluable in almost any job, so don’t miss this one.

• Critical thinking and problem solving
  Feel like you’re constantly trying to bat away chaos or solve recurring problems? This course could help. In just 35 minutes it will show you strategic steps to reduce this feeling and solve new or recurring problems in a timely way. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills can make even complex issues more manageable.

• Quality management and continuous improvement
  Good business requires the ability to consistently provide high-quality products and services and adhere to industry standards. In this hour-long course you’ll learn about the tools and methodologies used for continuous quality improvement, and international quality standards. You’ll gain the most up-to-date project management information to apply at work, and be prepared to take the PMI® certification exam.

Whatever your motivation, there’s never been a better time to develop new skills and strengthen your resume. By investing some manageable blocks of time into a few of these short courses, you’ll find yourself equipped with new skills to add to your resume, or bring into your day-to-day work.

You've got more skills than you know. Discover your hidden talents today and put your skills to work.