Who says back-to-school season is just for kids and teens?
Late summer and early fall are the perfect times to sharpen your skills, explore new interests, or boost your resume — all without spending a dime.
No matter whether you’re between jobs, working part-time, or ready for a promotion, there are plenty of free ways to take yourself back to school from the comfort of your desk.
1. Take Free Online Courses
Websites like Coursera, edX, and Alison offer free courses from top universities and companies. Whether you want to amp up your Excel skills, learn project management basics, or try your hand at coding, there’s a course for that.
Tip: Often, these sites bury the “free” option by promoting a certificate if you pay to play. But you can skip the certificate if you just want the knowledge. Look for the word “audit” if you’re struggling to figure out which classes are free and which are not.
2. Use LinkedIn Learning (For Free Through Your Library!)
Many people don’t realize that most public libraries offer free access to LinkedIn Learning, a premium feature that would otherwise cost $29.99/month. Some even let you use your library card ID to use it from home, without ever setting foot in the library itself. That’s certainly true of Sonoma County, where most of our candidates and clients are based.
On LinkedIn Learning, you’ll find hours and hours of professional development videos on business, technology, and creative tools.
How to start: If you’re already a regular library goer, search your local library’s website or ask a librarian how to log in with your card. You can also Google “[city name or county name] library LinkedIn Learning” to find out.
3. Join Free Webinars and Industry Events
Platforms like Meetup, Eventbrite, and LinkedIn Events offer free trainings, Q&As, and networking opportunities. It’s a great way to stay on top of industry trends and meet new people, without spending a cent.
Challenge: Attend one event this month in your field (or a field you’re curious about!).
4. Explore YouTube for Practical Tutorials
YouTube is more than entertainment — it’s also one of the best free learning platforms. If you want to learn how to operate a forklift, master Microsoft Office, or prep for some upcoming interviews, there’s a video for that.
Other search ideas:
- “Warehouse interview tips”
- “Beginner Excel formulas”
- “How to make a resume in Google Docs”
- “How to become a [fill in the blank title]”
5. Start a Personal Project
Nothing builds skills faster than putting them into practice. Put what you’re learning to good use by coming up with a simple practice project. Even if you invent a fake company or scenario for the project, the skills you learn are still the skills employers want.
Some project ideas:
- Build a budget in Excel
- Create mock social posts in Canva
- Draft a sample cover letter or resume
In future interviews, you can share your experience with these projects.
6. Swap Skills with a Friend
Ask a friend or coworker to teach you a skill they use in their role. You can also plan a swap by offering to teach each other something you’re each good at. It’s a low-pressure way to learn from someone you respect and trust.
Examples:
- Trade resume help for social media tips
- Practice interview questions and answers with a peer
- Ask your computer-savvy friend to teach you some new skills in exchange for you teaching them soft skills you’ve learned managing people.
Final Tip: Add your new skills to your resume and LinkedIn profile. Employers love to see candidates who take initiative to grow even outside of a classroom.
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Looking to put those skills to work?
Browse the Star Staffing job board or connect with a recruiter to find your next opportunity.