Were all looking for more ways to expand our repertoire and get educated without going back to school.

The truth is, cognitive skills and self-management are twoqualities employerslook for in their new hires.

So what is this amazing school-but-not-quite-school that we speak of?

A woman works from her couch at her house. She also has teal short hair.

Thats why he champions soft skills.

Our team has compiled alist of creative waysyou can fatten your bank account this week.

This is a long list, so dont get overwhelmed.

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Well keep it updated as offers changes or expire.

In 2022, job-seeking siteMonster Intelligencesurveyed employers on what they looked for in a potential candidate.

63% of employers said they were willing to hire someone with transferable skills and train them.

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In soft skills, they most often looked for teamwork, communication and problem solving.

Obtaining professional certificates can run on the expensive side.

The options we surveyed ranged fromless than $300tomore than $1,500.

Depending on the skill, your company could offer to pay for it.

Plus, many MOOC course providers, likeCourseraandEdX, offer financial aid.

Applications for aid must be completed on a course-by-course basis and unfortunately are not always available for every class.

Did you know?

All of the free online courses offer certificates upon completion.

Some are traditional university courses, which will also give you academic credit.

The next time a prospective interviewer asks what makes you unique, youll have a no-fail answer.

Combined, these skills make up your emotional intelligence, or EQ.

But its not just about being a better co-worker.

For a certificate that just shows completion of the emotional intelligence course, the cost isaround $200.

The course can be audited for free)

2.

But just being in a diverse environment doesnt mean you have the proper skills to navigate it.

That requires self-awareness and effort.

Storytelling and Communication

Storytelling is in our DNA, but not everyone is good at it.

A recruiter, or more likely a machine, is going to determine if youre roughly qualified.

Thatll get you an interview, but that wont get you a job, Brooks said.

Its all about the stories and narrative you have.

We tell stories all the time in emails, meetings and presentations.

That goes for everyone in business today.

Even if personal branding doesnt appeal to you, holistic social media skills are essential, says Colner.

Its important to see how all these pieces fit together.

Thats what a (certification) program can help with.

Second Language Learning

Learning a second language can be super practical.

Bilingual workers generallyearn 5% to 20% moreper hour than their monolingual counterparts, according to Salary.com.

And as the job market continues to globalize, nothing says !

(Hire me!)

Duolingo, a free platform for language learners, has more than500 million usersworldwide.

But these skills dont always come naturally and have to be taught.

The syllabus discusses motivating and engaging people, managing work relationships and leading teams to solve problems.

But when it comes to a difficult subject, that can be easier said than done.

Harvard Law School has an entire programdedicated to negotiation.

Youll learn the theories and the practices that make up a good deal.

Youll emerge so prepared that youll be able to handle your next negotiation with your eyes closed.

Procrastination isnt always a product of laziness but a psychological breakdown.

Some say dependability is the most importantskill employerslook for in the workplace.

One reviewer said the course helped them stop self-sabotaging habits and start getting things done.

Being a professional in the modern world often yields more questions than answers.

Whats the best path to follow?

How can I get from point A to point B?

How do I data pipe?

These questions can go on and on in a dizzying way.

Its all about a mindset shift.

There may be fear associated with doing that, but this Coursera class will show you that its possible!

Top universities and other course providers offer many courses through distance education that can benefit working professionals.

Attach the certification to your LinkedIn profile.

At the end of the day, people look at your resume for about seven seconds, Brooks said.

LinkedIn or your online portfolio is so much more important than a resume.

These MOOC certifications arent only useful on the job hunt.

Theyre valuable in current jobs and overall career development, too.

Thats because certifications show employers initiative and ambition, according to Colner.

It shows a desire and an understanding of the marketplace, which every employer wants, Colner said.

These classes are generally taught by professors at leading universities and allow students to go at their own pace.

MOOCs sites organize their courses by popularity as well as topic.

Her work has appeared in Teen Vogue, Smithsonian Magazine and the Tampa Bay Times.

Former staff writer Adam Hardy contributed to this report.

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