How to List Online Courses on Your CV – and 5 Reasons You Should

Online learning has become mainstream. From LinkedIn Learning to Coursera, edX and company-sponsored training, professionals at all levels are taking online courses to upskill and stay relevant.

But here’s the question: should you list online courses on your CV?

The short answer is yes – if they strengthen your application and support your career goals.

In this article, we’ll explain how to include online courses on your CV effectively, along with five compelling reasons you should.

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Where to List Online Courses on Your CV

The best place to put online courses depends on their relevance and the weight they carry in relation to your other experience.

1. Education Section
If you’ve completed a course from a highly reputable provider (e.g., Harvard Online, Google, CFA Institute), you can include it in your Education section – particularly if it’s industry-recognised or certification-based.

Example:

• Google Data Analytics Certificate, Coursera

• Harvard Business School Online – CORe: Credential of Readiness

2. Professional Development or Training Section
This is the most common spot. Create a dedicated section for ongoing learning that sits beneath Education or towards the end of your CV.

Example:
Professional Development

• Financial Modelling and Valuation, Corporate Finance Institute

• Advanced Digital Marketing Strategy, LinkedIn Learning

3. Within Your Career Highlights
If a course is directly tied to your current career goals, highlight it under your Career Highlights or even your Work Experience to demonstrate immediate relevance.

Example:

• Leveraged advanced SQL skills (developed through Udemy course) to improve data reporting efficiency by 30%.

5 Reasons to List Online Courses on Your CV

1. Show Commitment to Continuous Learning

Employers want to hire people who adapt, grow, and stay current. Adding online courses demonstrates that you’re proactive about keeping your skills sharp.

2. Bridge Career Gaps or Transitions

If you’ve taken time out of work, courses can show you’ve been actively developing yourself. They also help when pivoting industries, showing that you’ve built the necessary foundational skills.

3. Strengthen Your Technical Skills

Online courses are especially valuable for hard skills such as coding, analytics, finance, or project management. Recruiters are more likely to consider you if you can show formal learning alongside practical application.

4. Differentiate Yourself in a Competitive Market

When many candidates have similar job titles and responsibilities, extra training can set you apart. It highlights curiosity and ambition – two qualities recruiters love to see.

5. Boost ATS Optimisation

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) scan your CV for keywords. Including the names of relevant courses and certifications increases the chance your CV is flagged as a good match.

Quick Tips for Listing Courses

✅ Only include relevant courses that support your career goals.
✅ Focus on recognised providers or courses with strong industry credibility.
✅ Keep the formatting consistent with the rest of your CV.
✅ Don’t overload your CV with every course you’ve ever taken – select the most impactful ones.
✅ Show application where possible: how did you use what you learned?

In Summary

Listing online courses on your CV can add real value when done thoughtfully. They show employers that you’re serious about personal growth, equipped with up-to-date skills, and ready to contribute.

Whether you’re bridging a career break, switching industries, or strengthening technical expertise, online courses can help your CV stand out.

To find out more, visit our website www.cvpilots.co.uk If you have any further questions, you can either book a consultation call with one of our team, or get in touch via email on team@cvpilots.co.uk