Online Career Development Resources

Put Me On - Resources to level up your career this season? These AI tools can help, no matter where you are in the journey. I first presented these at a conference and promised to share them afterward, but life got in the way. Still, better late than never! I’ve curated some of the most effective (and mostly free!) tools across 5 key areas of career growth. Whether you're job hunting, preparing for interviews, or just trying to work smarter, there's something here for you: Job Search Optimization ⭐️ Teal – tealhq.com ⭐️ LinkedIn Jobs – linkedin.com/jobs ⭐️ Otta – otta.com ⭐️ Simplify Jobs – simplify.jobs ⭐️ Jobscan – jobscan.co ⭐️ Rezi – rezi.ai ⭐️ Huntr – huntr.co ⭐️ Rafiki AI – https://lnkd.in/eekKunyK Improving Interview Preparation ⭐️ Interview Warmup by Google – https://lnkd.in/eqmZGwZ4 ⭐️ Yoodli AI Roleplays – yoodli.ai ⭐️ Pramp by Exponent– pramp.com ⭐️ Final Round AI – finalround.ai Smart (Warm) Networking ⭐️ Crystal Knows – crystalknows.com ⭐️ ChatGPT by OpenAI (I'll be sharing prompts to help with this soon) – chat.openai.com ⭐️ ContactOut – contactout.com Continuous Learning & Skill Adaptation ⭐️ Coursera – coursera.org ⭐️ LinkedIn Learning – linkedin.com/learning ⭐️ edX – edx.org ⭐️ YouTube – youtube.com Enhanced Productivity & Strategic Decision-Making ⭐️ Notion AI – notion.so/product/ai ⭐️ ChatGPT by OpenAI – chat.openai.com ⭐️ Grammarly – grammarly.com ⭐️ Otter.ai – otter.ai ⭐️ Fireflies.ai – fireflies.ai ⭐️ GitHub Copilot – https://lnkd.in/eTUM9P2v ⭐️ Microsoft Copilot – https://lnkd.in/e3ZNeyN4 📌 This list has helped me and many others I’ve worked with navigate the modern career landscape with more confidence. Save it and refer back to it when you need a boost. 💬 If you have tools or platforms you rely on, feel free to share them in the comments. I’d love to hear what’s working for you. ✨ Looking for real opportunities where you can apply these tools? Check out Put Me On. We connect early-career talent with roles, resources, and communities that support long-term growth. I'm always happy to support. Just reach out 💙 #putmeon #tools #opportunities #resources #interviewing #hiring #studentsoflinkedin #careerdevelopment

💡 Are you struggling to choose the next move for your career? Don’t know what direction you want to go or even how to start? Here are the resources that helped me answer those questions💡 Whether you're aiming for your next promotion or a career pivot, having the right resources can make all the difference. Here are my picks for professional development that have helped me (and others) move the needle: 1️⃣ LinkedIn Learning 🎯 Why it’s great: Affordable, flexible courses on everything from technical skills to leadership development. 2️⃣ Coursera 🎓 Why it’s great: Access to courses from top universities and institutions worldwide, often with certifications you can showcase on your resume. 3️⃣ Mentorship (Formal & Informal) 🤝 Why it’s great: Learning from someone who’s been where you want to go can save you time and help you avoid costly mistakes. If you’re not sure where to start, networking on LinkedIn is a great way to find a mentor. 4️⃣ Books That Inspire Growth 📚 Recommendations: Atomic Habits by James Clear (for productivity) Deep Work by Cal Newport (for focus) What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith (for leadership). 5️⃣ Industry Communities & Forums 🌐 Why it’s great: Joining groups related to your field (e.g., cybersecurity, marketing, or project management) can connect you with like-minded professionals, trends, and opportunities. Platforms like Discord, Reddit, or even LinkedIn groups are goldmines! 🚀 Your next step? Start with one resource that resonates most with you and dive in! Growth happens step by step, and consistency wins every time. What’s your favorite resource for career growth? Drop it in the comments below—I’d love to hear what’s worked for you! 👇

Don’t wait for opportunity - build the skills. These 5 will put you ahead of 90% of people. Year after year, research from leading organisations highlights the same critical skills that drive career success. These are the 5 skills that will always be in demand - plus free resources to master them today: 1. Critical Thinking ↳ Analyse complex problems effectively ↳ Make better decisions under pressure ↳ Find innovative solutions Free resources to develop critical thinking: 📌 Complete Course: "Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking" - Duke University (Coursera) 📌 YouTube Class: "The Nature of Arguments" - University of Oxford 2. Emotional Intelligence ↳ Understand your own triggers and reactions ↳ Read rooms and situations instantly ↳ Navigate complex relationships effortlessly Free resources to develop emotional intelligence: 📌 Complete Course: "Managing Emotions in Times of Uncertainty & Stress" - Yale University 📌 YouTube Class: "The Power of Emotional Intelligence" - Travis Bradberry 3. Creative Problem-Solving ↳ Find hidden patterns in complex situations ↳ Build simple solutions to difficult problems ↳ Turn challenges into opportunities Free resources for creative problem-solving: 📌 Complete Course: "Creative Problem-Solving" - University of Minnesota 📌 YouTube Class: "The Art of Innovation" - Guy Kawasaki 4. Technical Adaptability ↳ Learn new tools and technologies quickly ↳ Stay relevant in a rapidly changing workplace ↳ Embrace and adapt to technological change Free resources to build technical adaptability: 📌 Complete Course: "Learning How to Learn" - University of California, San Diego 📌 YouTube Class: "The Future of Work" - Dr Tony Wagner 5. Effective Communication ↳ Speak clearly and persuasively ↳ Build stronger professional relationships ↳ Get things done through better collaboration Free resources for better communication: 📌 Complete Course: "Effective Communication for Today's Leader" - Tecnológico de Monterrey 📌 YouTube Class: "Effective Communication Skills" - Matt Abrahams ➕ Save this post. Get the course links from the carousel. Pick one skill. Take action today. ⤵️ Comment below: Which skill are you focusing on first - and why? ♻️ Share this post to help others get the skills to future-proof their careers. ➕ Follow me, Jen Blandos, for daily insights on business, entrepreneurship, and workplace wellbeing.

Too many people see that "Open to Work" sign as an easy target to make a quick buck. From paid communities, to MLM-style courses, to folks with minimal experience branding themselves career coaches and charging thousands for their generic advice, folks are often exploiting people's desperation. But there ARE free resources out there: Pay Forward Coaching offers a free 1:1 coaching session as well as a free community with experienced coaches (and no upsell) EarnBetter offers a free AI resume tool and job board. Landed! is my newsletter for jobseekers where I share advice for navigating both job searches and the workplace (and I also share jobs on this page!) Lyft offers free rides to interviews and your first few weeks on the job. CareerOneStop is a free resource with tools for job search, and they have a lot of resources in particular for veterans, justice-impacted individuals, etc. Dress for Success Worldwide, Bottomless Closet, and Career Gear are just a handful of the many organizations that will help you get dressed for that interview or new job, and many offer additional supports to job seekers. I'm dropping a list of these resources in comments, and if you know of other totally free resources (with no upsell!), feel free to share them as well!

To whom it may concern, Thanks for reaching out! It’s completely normal to feel a bit overwhelmed when entering the job market, but the fact that you’re proactively seeking guidance is already a strong step in the right direction. 1. Understanding the Hidden Job Market You're absolutely right that many opportunities aren’t publicly advertised—this is often referred to as the "hidden job market." Employers prefer to hire through referrals, internal candidates, or networking before posting jobs online. The best way to tap into this is through: LinkedIn Networking – Follow companies and industry leaders, comment on posts, and connect with professionals in your field. Alumni Networks – Many universities have alumni mentorship programs or LinkedIn groups where former students can help you with job openings or career advice. Industry Events & Webinars – Attend events where recruiters or industry professionals are speaking. 2. Sharpening Your Interview Skills Interviews can feel elusive, but preparation is key. Here are some useful resources: Big Interview (www.biginterview.com) – Offers AI-powered mock interviews and feedback. Glassdoor (www.glassdoor.com) – Provides real-life interview questions from specific companies. Pramp (www.pramp.com) – Peer-to-peer interview practice for technical and behavioral questions or AI interviews: https://lnkd.in/eKWTkEzt 3. Resume & Cover Letter Optimization Zety (https://lnkd.in/eKcVd-_Y) – Great for creating ATS-friendly resumes. Jobscan (www.jobscan.co) – Helps tailor your resume to job descriptions by optimizing keywords. 4. Where to Find the Best Job Listings Beyond LinkedIn and Indeed, try: Otta (www.otta.com) – Best for startup roles. Hired (www.hired.com) – Matches you with companies looking for your skills. Internship & Graduate Schemes – Many firms recruit exclusively through these programs, so check company websites directly. 5. Developing a Job Search Strategy Set up job alerts on LinkedIn, Google Jobs, and Indeed to stay ahead of postings. Use informational interviews – Message people in your desired field to ask for a 15-minute virtual coffee chat to learn about their career path. Apply Smart – Don’t just mass-apply to everything; tailor your application and follow up. Would be happy to offer more specific advice if you let me know your industry or the types of roles you’re targeting. Best, Alpesh ps. I had 100 rejection letters. 3 interviews. 2 offers. Ever. In the end, went self-employed. But the people I've hired are now lawyers, global head of PR at banks, fund managers.

Having worked 1:1 with 2,000+ professionals over the past 14 years (so crazy when you add it all up!), I've realized that many people don’t know that LinkedIn Learning courses are included with a LinkedIn Premium membership—and are also often available for free through many employers, universities, and libraries. LinkedIn Learning an incredible resource (16,000+ self-paced courses) if you're looking to land a job, level up your career, or achieve personal growth. In this edition of Steer Your Career, I highlight how you can use LinkedIn Learning to: ✅ Upgrade your resume & cover letter ✅ Master job search strategies ✅ Ace interviews (both in-person and video) ✅ Build thought leadership ✅ Develop crucial soft skills It features some of my own career-related courses plus a few of my current favorites by Dorie Clark, Vinh Giang, and Jason Weeman. It's a great day to learn something new! #alwaysbelearning #careerdevelopment #jobsearch

Want to Future-Proof Your Career in Just 30 Minutes a Day? Here’s How I Did It—And How You Can Too. Let me tell you a quick story. Few years ago, I realized I was coasting. I had decades of experience—but the world was shifting fast. AI, automation, remote leadership… and I was behind. So I made a decision: 30 minutes a day. Every day. I would build one on-demand skill at a time. Digital tools. Strategic analysis. Data literacy. Personal branding. Each one stacked on the next. Why? Because I didn’t want to just stay relevant—I wanted to stay valuable. I didn’t want to hope I was making an impact. I wanted proof. And you can do the same. Here’s what worked (and why it will work for you): 📚 Best Resources to Develop On-Demand Skills • LinkedIn Learning – Courses on leadership, project management, and data tools. (Search: “How to develop business analysis skills for operations”) • Coursera/edX – Certifications from Google, Wharton, and IBM. (Use long-tail keywords like “free project management courses with certificate”) • YouTube Channels like Ali Abdaal, Crash Course, and BetterExplained – Bite-sized, well-researched tutorials. • Skillshare – Perfect for creative professionals and side hustlers. • BONUS: Join free communities on Reddit and Discord for live feedback and peer review. How to Track Your Progress and Prove Your Value • Use a Skills Tracker spreadsheet. List every course, project, and reflection. • Log what you’ve applied—not just what you’ve watched. • Create a “Value Portfolio” – Highlight projects that show measurable outcomes. Ex: “Reduced processing time by 40% using Airtable automation after completing a Zapier workshop.” • Build public proof: Post on LinkedIn weekly. (It builds trust and a trail of credibility.) Turn New Skills Into Real Career Opportunities • Reverse-engineer job postings with long-tail keyword searches like “remote data analyst jobs requiring no degree.” • Match your newly gained skills with specific employer pain points. (Tip: Use tools like Jobscan to optimize your resume for ATS.) • Use your “value portfolio” in interviews. Show, don’t tell. • Get into informational interviews—ask: “What skills made you stand out in your role?” Then align. Because companies aren’t just hiring resumes anymore. They’re hiring results. If you can show: • “Here’s the skill I built,” • “Here’s how I applied it,” and • “Here’s the measurable outcome”… You stand out instantly. Set a Goal: 5 New Skills. 90 Days. Track them. Share them. Apply them. Whether you’re in leadership, operations, marketing, or starting fresh—this strategy qualifies you as someone serious about leveling up, not coasting. If you’re a mid-career professional wondering if it’s too late? It’s not. I’m living proof. Let’s grow on purpose. #LeadershipDevelopment #CareerGrowth #CoachingForSuccess