LinkedIn Learning has become an increasingly popular platform for learning new skills and advancing careers. With over 15,000 courses taught by industry experts, it offers a vast range of topics from technical skills like programming and data science to soft skills like communication and management. But is completing LinkedIn Learning courses enough to land your dream job or switch careers? Here we’ll examine the pros and cons of using LinkedIn Learning for career development.
The pros of using LinkedIn Learning for your career
There are several advantages to using LinkedIn Learning as part of your career development strategy:
- It’s affordable and convenient – For $29.99 per month you get unlimited access to all courses. You can learn on your schedule, pausing videos and resuming anytime.
- Quality content – Courses are created by experts and leading companies like Microsoft, Google, and IBM. They offer in-depth training on highly relevant skills.
- Tracks provide structure – LinkedIn Learning offers over 130 Learning Paths with suggested courses to take for roles like project manager, graphic designer, IT administrator.
- Earn certifications – You can showcase your skills by earning completion certificates for courses and Learning Paths. These can be added to your LinkedIn profile.
- Learn technical and soft skills – The platform covers hard skills like programming as well as soft skills like leadership and time management.
For professionals looking to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies, LinkedIn Learning provides an affordable and flexible way to build your skills online. The wide range of expert-led courses lets you gain specialized knowledge to expand your role or pivot your career trajectory.
The potential limitations of only using LinkedIn Learning
While LinkedIn Learning offers many benefits, relying on it alone has some potential downsides to consider:
- No hands-on experience – Completing video training isn’t the same as applying skills in real scenarios. You lack tangible experience to talk about in interviews.
- No opportunities to network – You miss out on connecting with professionals who could offer career advice, job leads, mentorship.
- Limited feedback – You don’t have an instructor, classmates, or colleagues to discuss concepts with and get feedback to improve.
- Self-driven learning style required – Without fixed deadlines or accountability, you need discipline to actually complete courses.
- No credentials earned – Certificates of completion have limited value compared to industry-recognized credentials like IT certifications.
The online self-paced format makes it easy to start courses, but that also means it’s easy to procrastinate or not retain information. Supplementing with real-world practice, networking, study groups, and earning credentials can help overcome these limitations.
Requirements for career change or advancement
Switching to a new field or earning a promotion typically requires more than just completing online classes. Here are some common requirements to advance professionally:
- Relevant work experience – Employers look for proven skills and achievements from applicable roles.
- Industry-specific credentials – Degrees, certifications, licenses verify your knowledge to employers.
- Up-to-date tech and soft skills – Both are equally important and desired by hiring managers.
- Professional connections – Your network can provide references, job leads and ‘insider’ advice.
- Understanding company culture – Fitting into the values and unwritten rules of an organization.
- Ability to interview well – Articulating your value, discussing work intelligently, presenting yourself professionally.
While LinkedIn Learning allows you to build skills and gain knowledge, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Supplementing your learning with the other required elements can help you meet your career objectives.
How to get the most out of LinkedIn Learning
To maximize the impact of LinkedIn Learning on your career, here are some best practices:
- Assess your goals – What exactly do you want to achieve? Pick focused Learning Paths that align to your objectives.
- Take notes – Actively take notes rather than passively watching videos to retain more information.
- Apply your skills – Do projects, freelance gigs, or volunteer work to gain real-world examples.
- Get feedback – Share what you’re learning and projects you’ve done to get input from others.
- Expand your network – Connect with fellow learners and instructors to grow your professional community.
- Supplement your learning – Combine online classes with in-person training, conferences, networking events and more.
- Earn credentials – Pursue industry-recognized certifications that validate your skills.
- Practice interviewing – Do mock video interviews to prepare to demonstrate your knowledge and experience.
Focused effort, application and practice are key to get the full career benefit from LinkedIn Learning. Used strategically, it can be a stepping stone to help you enter a new field or progress in your current one.
Is LinkedIn Learning enough to get a job?
The bottom line – it depends! Here are some considerations:
- For lateral moves in the same industry, it may be enough when combined with your existing experience. The right set of courses can help you fill in gaps and make the transition to a similar role.
- For more senior roles and leadership positions, you will likely need additional credentials and proven expertise gained from work experience and certifications.
- For career changes to a completely new field, use LinkedIn Learning to try it out and build foundational knowledge, but realize you’ll need formal education, training or entry-level positions to break in.
- For technical roles, combine LinkedIn Learning with coding bootcamps, hands-on projects, networking, and earning key certifications for your field.
- For most jobs, highlight relevant courses completed, but focus more on work experience and applied skills in your resume and interviews.
The short answer is LinkedIn Learning alone is often not enough to land a job, but as part of a broader skill-building strategy it can be tremendously helpful. Get clarity on the specific requirements of the roles you want. Supplement online learning with other training, credentials, networking and hands-on experiences tailored to your career goals.
Conclusion
LinkedIn Learning offers an incredible amount of on-demand training on highly valuable job skills. It can expand your knowledge, help pivot your career and enhance your resume.
However, solely relying on video courses has limitations for real career advancement. Combine online learning with hands-on practice, networking, earning credentials and focusing your training on specific career goals.
Used strategically, LinkedIn Learning’s affordable and convenient training can provide a stepping stone to help you land your next job or take your career to the next level. Paired with the right work experience, credentials, connections and interview skills, you will be on your way to career success!