3 days ago
13 Free Certificates To Help You Land A Job In 2025
Want to know the fastest way to boost your salary by an extra 10-15% (according to Coursera)? And secure your dream job?
Get a certificate.
It really is that simple.
I spoke to Reginald Nichols, an HR director and consultant, who shared his experience and the impact of undertaking micro-certifications from Coursera and other providers:
'Micro-learning gave me the growth mindset to pursue career and learning pathways that would have been traditionally closed to me."
Let's kick down any barriers holding you back from your next opportunity, with these 13 free courses and certificates to help you secure your next role faster in 2025.
13 Free Certificates To Put On Your Resume And Land Your Dream Job
Below are a number of free certificates you can learn, complete, and add to your resume and LinkedIn profile, categorized by provider.
Kaggle is a data science competition and learning platform, and hosts one of the world's largest online communities of avid learners and professionals in this field, including researchers, machine learning engineers, and data scientists.
All of these Kaggle Learn courses are free and you can earn a certificate within a few hours--literally in a day's worth of learning
Google has a platform called Skillshop where you can develop practical skills and get certified in using Google's own suite of products.
HubSpot Academy, by HubSpot, is a leading provider of digital marketing and sales training. They have courses ranging from AI for Marketing, to Digital Marketing, and the courses and associated certificates are totally free.
Since HubSpot is a recognized name in the marketing and sales industry, completing a certification here makes for a noteworthy addition to your resume and LinkedIn profile.
HackerRank's certificates are obtained after passing tests, not completing courses. If you feel confident with your tech skills and wish to showcase your results and proficiency to prospective employers, here are some that you should go for:
What Career Certificate Should I Study?
Don't just study a certificate because it's popular and everyone recommends it for building a high-income career. Pick the career certificate that best matches your interests and career goals. To make things even easier, unless you're making a career pivot, the certificate you decide on should complement your existing experience, knowledge, and skills.
For example:
1. You're a marketing assistant at risk of AI eliminating your job
2. You're a people manager and want to demonstrate to a prospective employer that you understand how to effectively manage and curb AI usage across your organization.
Where Can I Find Free Online Courses And Certificates?
Some of the best places to find free online courses and certificates to boost your salary and give you access to a wider net of career opportunities include:
In 2025, the job market is skills-first and the scales are tipped in your favor. Start picking up certifications, short courses, and badges this year, even if you feel you don't 'need' them just yet. Your future self will thank you.