Career Advice

No matter where you are in your career—just starting out, changing paths, or leveling up—we offer expert-backed resources to support your next move. Explore career guides on goal setting, job searching, resume writing, interview prep, and more.

Coursera logo C cutout
[Featured Image] A group of colleagues discuss a project’s progress, with the project manager using excellent verbal communication skills to convey the strategy moving forward.

What Is Verbal Communication (and Why Is It Essential)?

Verbal communication refers to the sharing of ideas through the spoken and written word, and humans use it to interact with one another. Discover the benefits of effective communication and learn what steps you can take to interact with others confidently.

October 14, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A human resources manager shakes a new hire’s hand after discussing the company’s salary definition, which includes wages and benefits.

Salary Definition and Uses

Discover what the term “salary” means, its significance in the professional world, and how different salary structures may impact your financial stability and job choices.

October 14, 2024

Article

[Featured Image]: A woman sits at a desk and determines what is net pay before putting together a monthly budget.

What Is Net Pay and How Is It Calculated?

Learn what net pay is, how it differs from gross pay, and how to calculate it. Understand deductions and withholdings to better manage your finances.

October 14, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A group of colleagues discuss a project’s progress, with the project manager using excellent verbal communication skills to convey the strategy moving forward.

What Is Verbal Communication (and Why Is It Essential)?

Verbal communication refers to the sharing of ideas through the spoken and written word, and humans use it to interact with one another. Discover the benefits of effective communication and learn what steps you can take to interact with others confidently.

October 14, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A human resources manager shakes a new hire’s hand after discussing the company’s salary definition, which includes wages and benefits.

Salary Definition and Uses

Discover what the term “salary” means, its significance in the professional world, and how different salary structures may impact your financial stability and job choices.

October 14, 2024

Article

Top courses for career development

University of California, Irvine

Skills you'll gain: Time Management, Business Writing, Goal Setting, Negotiation, Cash Management, Business Planning, Planning, Project Controls, Feasibility Studies, Delegation Skills, Peer Review, Team Leadership, Business Correspondence, Creative Problem-Solving, Problem Solving, Professional Networking, Financial Analysis, Communication Strategies, Communication, Emotional Intelligence

4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
44K reviews

Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Goodwill Industries International

Skills you'll gain: Constructive Feedback, Interviewing Skills, Communication, Coaching, Accountability, Client Services, Virtual Teams, Customer Relationship Building, Professional Development, Diversity and Inclusion, Workforce Development, Recruitment, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Relationship Management, Active Listening, Telecommuting, Needs Assessment, Employee Onboarding, Goal Setting, LinkedIn

Build toward a degree

4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
387 reviews

Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Status: Free

University of Pennsylvania

Skills you'll gain: English Language, Vocabulary, Business Writing, Interviewing Skills, Verbal Communication Skills, Language Learning, Professional Networking, Professional Development, Business Communication

4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
16K reviews

Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

[Featured Image] A woman in a suit and glasses uses her consulting skills to offer consulting services to other professionals in an office setting.

Key Consulting Skills for Success: Your 2025 Guide

Consultants are experts in their fields who use their knowledge and experience to guide and advise others working in similar industries. Learn more about the skills recruiters and businesses look for when hiring consultants.

October 11, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A woman in a green shirt sits at a table with a laptop and notebooks and participates in a corporate online learning and development program.

How to Design a Learning and Development Plan for Max Impact

Get a better grasp of the importance of learning and development, how it can help your organization, and how to create an L&D plan to enrich your employees.

October 10, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A man sits at a laptop in his home office and researches what his retirement age is.

What Is Retirement Age in the US?

At retirement age in the US, you can stop working, collect social security, sign up for Medicare, and enjoy the rest of your life. Learn more about the retirement age and how it might impact your life.

October 7, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A businessman with hands on his laptop keyboard sits in an office building, thoughtfully looking out the window as he thinks about setting SMART goals.

What Are SMART Goals?

Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals can make it easier to track progress and successfully complete your goals. Learn more about the benefits of SMART goals.

October 7, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A woman sits in a library with her laptop, books, paper, and pencil, using her research skills to write an essay.

Research Skills: What They Are and Why You Need Them

Research skills are your ability to gather the information that helps you solve a problem or answer a question. Learn more about why you need them for your career, as well as how you can improve your own research skills.

October 5, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] After practicing how to ask for a raise at work, a smiling employee sits in an office and speaks to her employer.

How to Ask for a Raise at Work

Discover what steps to take when asking for a raise. Learn how much you should ask for, ways to improve your chances, and what to do if your employer says no.

October 5, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A smiling woman in a gray dress takes a resume from a potential employee during a job interview obtained via a letter of interest.

Letter of Interest: What it Is and How to Write One

A letter of interest can inform a company that you would like to work for them. Learn what a letter of interest is, what to include when writing one, and how a letter of interest differs from a cover letter.

October 4, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A woman in a meeting uses an elevator pitch example to quickly pitch the three other businesspeople sitting at the table around her.

5 Elevator Pitch Examples and When to Use Them

Review examples to see what makes a strong elevator pitch and learn when to use one to sell yourself, your ideas, or your business.

October 4, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A professional prepares their resume and job search strategy during a period of frictional unemployment.

Frictional Unemployment: What It Is, Why It Happens, and What to Do

Learn how frictional unemployment differs from other types of unemployment, what causes it, and the major benefits and challenges of this type of unemployment to consider.

October 3, 2024

Article

[Featured Image]: A woman sits at a desk and determines what is net pay before putting together a monthly budget.

What Is Net Pay and How Is It Calculated?

Learn what net pay is, how it differs from gross pay, and how to calculate it. Understand deductions and withholdings to better manage your finances.

October 14, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A woman in a suit and glasses uses her consulting skills to offer consulting services to other professionals in an office setting.

Key Consulting Skills for Success: Your 2025 Guide

Consultants are experts in their fields who use their knowledge and experience to guide and advise others working in similar industries. Learn more about the skills recruiters and businesses look for when hiring consultants.

October 11, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A woman in a green shirt sits at a table with a laptop and notebooks and participates in a corporate online learning and development program.

How to Design a Learning and Development Plan for Max Impact

Get a better grasp of the importance of learning and development, how it can help your organization, and how to create an L&D plan to enrich your employees.

October 10, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A man sits at a laptop in his home office and researches what his retirement age is.

What Is Retirement Age in the US?

At retirement age in the US, you can stop working, collect social security, sign up for Medicare, and enjoy the rest of your life. Learn more about the retirement age and how it might impact your life.

October 7, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A businessman with hands on his laptop keyboard sits in an office building, thoughtfully looking out the window as he thinks about setting SMART goals.

What Are SMART Goals?

Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals can make it easier to track progress and successfully complete your goals. Learn more about the benefits of SMART goals.

October 7, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A woman sits in a library with her laptop, books, paper, and pencil, using her research skills to write an essay.

Research Skills: What They Are and Why You Need Them

Research skills are your ability to gather the information that helps you solve a problem or answer a question. Learn more about why you need them for your career, as well as how you can improve your own research skills.

October 5, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] After practicing how to ask for a raise at work, a smiling employee sits in an office and speaks to her employer.

How to Ask for a Raise at Work

Discover what steps to take when asking for a raise. Learn how much you should ask for, ways to improve your chances, and what to do if your employer says no.

October 5, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A smiling woman in a gray dress takes a resume from a potential employee during a job interview obtained via a letter of interest.

Letter of Interest: What it Is and How to Write One

A letter of interest can inform a company that you would like to work for them. Learn what a letter of interest is, what to include when writing one, and how a letter of interest differs from a cover letter.

October 4, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A woman in a meeting uses an elevator pitch example to quickly pitch the three other businesspeople sitting at the table around her.

5 Elevator Pitch Examples and When to Use Them

Review examples to see what makes a strong elevator pitch and learn when to use one to sell yourself, your ideas, or your business.

October 4, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A professional prepares their resume and job search strategy during a period of frictional unemployment.

Frictional Unemployment: What It Is, Why It Happens, and What to Do

Learn how frictional unemployment differs from other types of unemployment, what causes it, and the major benefits and challenges of this type of unemployment to consider.

October 3, 2024

Article

Whether starting your first job, exploring a new career path, or growing in your current role, the right advice will empower you to move forward with clarity and confidence. Discover career resources, tools, and guidance to support your professional journey:

Ready for your next career move? Explore career-focused courses on Coursera.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)