Working as a freelancer allows a professional to work flexibly and usually from anywhere they please. However, the freelance job market is a competitive one, and finding a job that aligns with one’s expertise and pays well might be challenging. For freelancers, one useful way to gain an edge over competitors is to complete online certifications. Doing so helps them demonstrate their commitment to the industry and increase their employability.
1) Power BI Data Analyst Associate – Microsoft Learn
Freelancers who enjoy working with numbers and want project-based work certifications can explore the Power BI Data Analyst Associate program from Microsoft Learn. The course teaches skills in dashboard design, insight, and data modeling. For instance, the user will learn to prepare, model, visualize, and evaluate data. By the end of the course, the individual should be able to offer meaningful business value through intuitive data visualizations and help others perform self-service analytics.
2) Building Your Freelancing Career Specialization – Coursera
All freelancers should consider this course to improve their chances of professional validation. The course teaches enrollees to monetize their expertise and achieve the freedom of an independent career. The beginner-level course has a flexible schedule, allowing one to take the time they need to complete it. Some highlights of the course include learning how to find and win clients by standing out among competitors and ways to price and pitch services on products with confidence.
3) Content Marketing Certification – Hubspot
Content creation is at the core of any marketing campaign. So, freelancers interested in building their digital marketing skills in areas like content creation can sign up for this certification from Hubspot. The course covers various things, including content strategy, SEO basics, and creating and promoting content. Hubspot’s free content marketing certification includes 14 lessons, requiring about eight hours to complete.
4) Digital Marketing Foundations – LinkedIn Learning
Independent workers who are new to marketing can sign up for this brilliant course from LinkedIn Learning. The Digital Marketing Foundation program helps learn important digital marketing skills, like marketing analytics, customer engagement, and content marketing. It also covers the basics of digital marketing, like developing a marketing strategy, defining value propositions, and determining the target market. With a duration of about 1 hour and 30 minutes, this is also one of the quickest courses a freelancer can take to upskill and gain an edge in the job market.
5) IT Support Professional Certificate – Coursera
This certification for freelancers is a career booster in IT. The six-course series can prepare beginners for their first job in three to six months. The key highlights of the certification include IT support skills, system administration, computer networking, and troubleshooting. Other skills include learning to use systems like Linux, Command-Line Interface, Domain Name Systems, and Binary Code. Freelancers can apply to this course for free at Coursera.
6) Creative Skills for Marketers – General Assembly x Adobe
General Assembly and Adobe have partnered to offer free skills training to marketers and creatives across various communities. Creative Skills for Marketers is a 10-week program. Its highlights include hands-on training with top instructors who focus on digital marketing skills, like audience segmentation, campaign launches, and data analysis. The course also offers free access to Adobe tools, like Adobe Photoshop, Express, and Firefly. Upon course completion, users will get a letter of completion to verify the new skills.
7) Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) – EC-Council
The cyber threat landscape is constantly evolving, highlighting the pressing need for cybersecurity experts, such as ethical hackers. Here’s where users can enhance their freelance skills for this in-demand role via the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) program. The certification covers over 20 hacking domains and tools and teaches users how to spot vulnerabilities, perform penetration tests, and secure client data. Course completion can open up freelance opportunities with startups, security firms, or even the government.
8) Graphic design: pop your LinkedIn with 3D effect using Canva – Coursera
Freelancers can improve their visibility on LinkedIn and find project-based work with this graphic design certification. The course teaches enrollees to use Canva to create simple 3D effects and make personalized cover images. The program also teaches users simple 3D effects in flat design. In addition to custom designs, users can also pick from a suite of ready-to-use templates.
9) UX Design Professional Certificate – Coursera
The eight-course series can help beginner-level freelancers earn a career in UX design. The certification teaches how to follow the design process, including defining pain points, developing solutions, creating wireframes and prototypes, and testing and iterating on designs. Users will also learn the basics of UX research, like planning studies, conducting interviews, and synthesizing research results. The UX Design Professional certificate also teaches how to apply foundational UX concepts and helps freelancers create a professional portfolio to be ready for a job.
