Resumes are pretty much the very first step while applying for almost any job. They give potential employers a first-hand idea of who you are and why you might be a good fit for that job before they even get to meet you. So your resume needs to be as perfect as it can be.

In this guide, I’ve selected the 10 best free and paid resume writing online courses for you from the 50+ resume writing courses on our catalog by following a well-defined methodology that you can find below.

But if you want to jump straight to the results, here are my top 10 picks. You can click on a course to jump to the corresponding section:

What is Resume Writing?

A resume is a formal document, typically of one to two pages, that highlights a candidate’s education, experience and skills. Job seekers write resumes while applying for a job for recruiters to evaluate their competency and worth for the concerned job. Employers may collect resumes in person, through a company’s career website, a job search engine, or a professional social media page.

The word “resume” originally comes from the French word ‘résumé’, past participle of résumer which means “to summarize”. However, this term is primarily used in America and Canada to represent a document that showcases your skills and work experiences, and not in France and other parts of Europe where a curriculum vitae (or CV) is used instead. In India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, biodata is often used in place of a resume.

Fun fact: Did you know that Leonardo da Vinci was the first recorded person to write a resume in the 15th century (even though it was more of a letter)?

Why are Resume Writing Skills Important?

Resumes create your first impression to potential employers. That’s why resume writing is an important skill to have. Indeed notes down a few more reasons why resumes are important:

• Provides an opportunity to market yourself to employers
• Outlines your skills, background and education so employers can easily see how your experience contributes to the success of a company
• Helps employers eliminate unqualified candidates
• Allows you to demonstrate your written communication skills

What is My Experience with Resume Writing?

Throughout school and college, I was taught to write good resumes as part of my curriculum and I scored high too. And I landed a pretty decent job alright!

Besides that, I am a Guided Project Instructor and a Beta Tester at Coursera, having tested many courses before they’re officially launched. I have taken over 50 online courses in various subjects.

My experience as an online learner and teacher has given me some perspective on what to look for in an online course. I used my experience to evaluate each course in this list.

Course Ranking Methodology

I built this ranking following the now tried-and-tested methodology I used in previous rankings (you can find them all here). It involves a three-step process:

1. Research: I started by leveraging Class Central’s database with 100K online courses and 200K+ reviews. Then, I made a preliminary selection of 50+ resume writing courses by rating, reviews, and bookmarks.
2. Evaluate: I read through reviews on Class Central, Reddit, and course providers to understand what other learners thought about each course and combined it with my own experience as a learner.
3. Select: Well-made courses were picked if they presented valuable and engaging content and they have to fit in a set of criteria and be ranked accordingly: comprehensive curriculum, release date, affordability, ratings and enrollments.

The end result is a unique selection of courses that combines a decade of Class Central data and my own experience as an online learner to try to get the best of both worlds. So far, I’ve spent more than 10 hours building this list, and I’ll continue to update it.

Course Ranking Statistics

Here are some statistics regarding this course ranking:

• Combined, these courses have accrued over 760.6K enrollments.
• 3 courses are free or free-to-audit and 7 courses are paid.
• The most-represented course provider in the ranking is LinkedIn Learning, with 4 courses.
• All 10 courses are in English.
• The resume writing subject is followed by over 3.6K learners on Class Central, and accounts for over 50 courses in Class Central catalog

So without further ado, let’s get to my picks for the best resume writing online courses.

1. Writing a Resume (LinkedIn Learning)

My first pick for the best resume writing online course is the free course Writing a Resume on LinkedIn Learning.

This free, beginner-friendly course will teach you the basics of resume writing. What’s more – as a job-seeker, you’ll also understand a few extra job search basics such as identifying companies to work for and determining fit. Moreover, you’ll be able to tackle job hopping, lack of experience, or unemployment gaps while focusing on your experiences.

By the end of the course, you’ll learn what to and what not to include in your resume and showcase your talents and best qualities. You’ll be able to choose the right format for your resume, tailor information to match job requirements, and write alternative resumes that include industry-specific information.

What You’ll Learn

First, you’ll learn how to create an effective resume by understanding its basic components such as the objective statement, skills section, work experience, education, and technical skills. You’ll customize these components to match the job you’re applying for, upgrade your resume by using achievements, awards, and publications, and choose the right layout and formatting.

Next, you’ll cover alternative resume designs, including resumes for different industries and regions, and how to handle common challenges like career changes, gaps in employment, and long-term unemployment.

After that, you’ll understand how to use your resume to stand out from other applicants and conduct a successful job search by focusing on your objective, showcasing the skills that employers want, and effectively using your education and volunteer work.

Finally, you’ll also learn best practices for using a resume in various scenarios, such as online applications, interviews, networking, and informational interviews, and conduct a proactive versus reactive job search by identifying potential companies, determining fit, and finding contacts.

How You’ll Learn

The course is broken down into 10 modules. Each module involves about 10 to 20 minutes of work. Concepts are taught through a combination of videos, practice exercises and quizzes.

Fun Facts

• Gordon is focused on improving workplace cultures and her mission is to reduce bias in global talent acquisition and management.
• She offers diversity, inclusion and career related online courses on LinkedIn Learning.
• Her book, “UNBIAS: Addressing Unconscious Bias at Work”, which is an ‘action manual’ for you to remove barriers and ensure equity throughout your organization

If you’re interested in this course, you can find more information about the course and how to enroll here.

2. Writing Winning Resumes and Cover Letters (University of Maryland, College Park)

My second pick for the best resume writing online course is the free-to-audit Writing Winning Resumes and Cover Letters, offered by the University of Maryland, College Park on Coursera.

This course is for intermediate learners who want to grab the attention of prospective employers using the language they already speak inside their organization. You’ll get answers to any related questions that you might have, and convert a boring resume into a dynamic asset statement. By the end of this course, you’ll be able to write your resume in a language that employers understand.

What You’ll Learn

In this course, you’ll learn how to tailor your resume for a specific job opportunity and to rank high in the relevance scales used by top organizations, and craft powerful accomplishment statements and summarize your experiences effectively.

You’ll also select the best resume format for your career goals, prepare your resume for electronic submission, and write an effective cover letter. You’ll also cover what information to leave off your resume and how to follow up after an interview.

How You’ll Learn

The course is broken down into 4 weeks. Each week involves about 3 to 4 hours of work. Concepts are taught through a combination of videos, readings and quizzes.

Fun Facts

• Duquette is a lecturer and Marketing Coordinator at University of Maryland, College Park.
• He studied Biology at Georgetown University, Finance at University of Maryland, Mechanical Engineering at The Catholic University of America, and Computer Science at Johns Hopkins University

If you’re interested in this course, you can find more information about the course and how to enroll here.

3. How to Write a Resume (Project-Centered Course) (State University of New York)

My third pick for the best resume writing online course is the free-to-audit How to Write a Resume (Project-Centered Course), offered by the State University of New York on <provider>.

If you’re a young professional or a college student, then this resume writing course is for you. Whether it’s your first resume or an old resume you want to polish, this project-based course will teach you resume best practices and current trends. Regardless of your career stage or professional background, you can benefit from this course and learn by working on a real-world project.

What You’ll Learn

In this course, you’ll learn about the purpose of a resume and when it might be used, examine the typical sections of a resume, identify transferable skills from your past experiences, write effective action-statements, use strong verbs, and avoid common pitfalls in writing the content of your resume.

You’ll also organize the sections and create a clear and structured format, become familiar with different headings and “buzzwords”, take a look at an interview with an employer that will provide valuable insights to make your resume stand out, and get answers to any common questions you may have about resumes.

How You’ll Learn

The course is broken down into 7 weeks. Each week involves about 30 minutes to 2 hours of work. Concepts are taught through a combination of videos, readings and quizzes.

Fun Facts

• Justice is a nature lover, equestrian, hiker/backpacker, runner, explorer/traveler, mindfulness meditation practitioner and teacher.
• She has hiked in over 25 U.S. National Parks and a few international National Parks so far

If you’re interested in this course, you can find more information about the course and how to enroll here.

4. Writing a Tech Resume (LinkedIn Learning)

My fourth pick for the best resume writing online course is Writing a Tech Resume on LinkedIn Learning.

Focused on those from a technical background, this course shows you how to showcase your technology skills so that you can stand out from the crowd. You’ll work on minor design details like spacing, font choice and color palette, and create your professional online presence on platforms such as LinkedIn and GitHub. And you can achieve all this in less than an hour!

What You’ll Learn

In this course, you’ll cover everything from logistics, such as resume length and the difference between a resume and a CV, to content tips and tricks, like word choice and highlighting your impact.

You’ll learn what to include in your resume, such as education, work experience, skills, and awards and certifications, as well as how to use tools like word processors, resume builders, and visual design tools to create a polished and professional final product.

Finally, you’ll understand design best practices, such as typography, color, layout, and file format, and how to present a professional online presence through platforms like LinkedIn, GitHub and personal portfolios or websites.

How You’ll Learn

The course is broken down into 7 modules. Each module involves about 5 to 10 minutes of work. Concepts are taught through a combination of videos and quizzes.

Fun Facts

• Bostian is a Software Engineer at Spotify in Stockholm.
• She founded and manages an open-source project, Coding Coach, a free platform that aims to connect software developers and mentors all over the world.
• She is a co-host of the Ladybug Podcast and panelist on JSParty, and teaches at Stack Overflow, Frontend Masters, and Egghead.io

If you’re interested in this course, you can find more information about the course and how to enroll here.

5. Resume Makeover (LinkedIn Learning)

My fifth pick for the best resume writing online course is Resume Makeover on LinkedIn Learning.

This course is for anyone looking to turn their dull, boring resume into something that recruiters will notice. You’ll learn how to put all your experiences into a compelling marketing document while addressing resume gaps and job hops. You’ll also take a look at how the hiring process works so that when you apply for a new job, you have more chances of acing an interview.

What You’ll Learn

In this course, you’ll work on your resume roadmap, the summary section, the key skills section, professional experience and work history, education and certifications, customize your resume for different jobs, deal with gaps and career bloopers, finalize the resume, and take a look at resume questions and answers.

How You’ll Learn

The course is broken down into 1 module which involves about 1 to 2 hours of work. Concepts are taught through a combination of videos, practice exercises and quizzes.

Fun Facts

• Foss is a job search strategist, recruiter, career coach and certified professional resume writer.
• She’s also an author, an educator, an entrepreneur, a cheerleader, and sometimes, a bit of a therapist.
• She has written a book, “Do This, Not That: Careers. Learn”

If you’re interested in this course, you can find more information about the course and how to enroll here.

6. How To Write A Winning Resume – Top Resume Writing Tips (Professor Heather Austin)

My sixth pick for the best resume writing online course is the free course How To Write A Winning Resume – Top Resume Writing Tips, offered by Professor Heather Austin on YouTube.

This short, free course will guide you through the process of writing a resume, including important resume writing tips and secrets that will put you ahead of the crowd. You’ll explore examples of good resumes and also get to know where to find sample resume templates that you can download and tailor to apply for your next job. Within just a couple of hours, you’ll have a great resume that will get you noticed.

What You’ll Learn

In this course, you’ll start with a template and examples for your resume, write a resume summary, make an ATS-friendly resume that will help you pass the automated screening process, and write a resume with little or no work experience.

You’ll also learn how to craft a resume that will increase your chances of getting hired, format a resume quickly and effectively, write achievements in a resume, and you’ll get additional resources and information to help you write your resume.

How You’ll Learn

The course is broken down into 14 videos. Each video involves about 5 to 15 minutes of work. Concepts are taught through video lectures only.

Fun Facts

• Austin is the host of #TheCareerClub on Facebook and the creator of ProfessorAustin.com.
• She teaches professionals how to navigate the job search process from building a solid social media presence on LinkedIn to nailing those tough interview questions. 
• She gives easy-to-follow tutorials with step-by-step instructions on finding the right career for you on her YouTube channel

If you’re interested in this course, you can find more information about the course and how to enroll here.

7. The Complete Resume, LinkedIn & Get Your Dream Job Course! (Udemy)

My seventh pick for the best resume writing online course is The Complete Resume, LinkedIn & Get Your Dream Job Course! on Udemy.

This is a 3-part course that teaches you the three most important topics for getting a job: interviewIng skills, resume/LinkedIn skills and networking skills. You can take the 3 sections in any order that suits you but it is recommended that you take them in the order in which the course is built. No matter at what stage of your career you’re at, this course will help you get the job you want.

What You’ll Learn

This course will help you get any job you want, build the perfect resume, interview better than others, build the perfect LinkedIn profile, and network better than anyone else so that you can get your dream job.

How You’ll Learn

The course is broken down into 51 sections. Each section involves about 5 to 30 minutes of work. Concepts are taught through a combination of videos, readings and downloadable resources.

Fun Facts

• Haroun is the founder and CEO of the online Haroun MBA Degree Program and the founder and CEO of Haroun Education Ventures.
• He is the author of the online business course, “An Entire MBA in 1 Course”, and the book, “101 Crucial Lessons They Don’t Teach You in Business School”.
• He is an MBA graduate from Columbia University

If you’re interested in this course, you can find more information about the course and how to enroll here.

8. Redesign Your Resume: Designing Professional Documents (Skillshare)

My eighth pick for the best resume writing online course is Redesign Your Resume: Designing Professional Documents on Skillshare.

Whether you are a student, a marketing professional or a freelancer, this course will teach you how to design professional documents and use design to enhance communication. Using resumes as the starting point, you’ll explore some great examples by professionals. You’ll also build InDesign skills but you can apply the design concepts to other documents as well.

What You’ll Learn

In order to build your resume, you’ll take inspiration from resumes, CVs and general documents, work on layouts and text boxes in InDesign, create master pages, learn design terms and concepts, key design concepts applied in inDesign, tips for working with fonts and type, work with type in inDesign, add details in inDesign, and finalize your document.

How You’ll Learn

The course is broken down into 16 lessons. Each lesson involves about 5 to 10 minutes of work. Concepts are taught through a combination of videos and projects.

Fun Facts

• Ditmeyer is an American designer and creative coach based in Paris, France.
• She founded Prêt à Voyager in 2007 to explore the intersection of travel and design.
• She offers bespoke tours of Paris at NavigateParis.com and online trip planning tool NavigateParisOnline.com.

If you’re interested in this course, you can find more information about the course and how to enroll here.

9. Designing a Resume for Creatives (LinkedIn Learning)

My ninth pick for the best resume writing online course is Designing a Resume for Creatives on LinkedIn Learning.

If you are from a creative background, then this resume writing course is for you. As a creative, you can use your resume to actually showcase your design skills while putting in all your details. This course teaches you how to present yourself through a visually strong, content-rich resume, and also includes presentation options for creatives so that your resume is aesthetic as well as informative.

What You’ll Learn

You’ll start off by learning how to write a comprehensive and effective resume that showcases all your relevant information, like education, experience, skills and interests, tailor your resume to different career stages and messages, and present your strengths and achievements in the best way possible.

Then, you’ll choose effective typefaces and margins, create hierarchy and format your resume in MS Word, explore common resume errors and how to avoid them, make sure your message is clear, check for spelling and grammar errors, and choose the right words and text length.

How You’ll Learn

The course is broken down into 4 modules. Each module involves about 20 minutes to 1 hour of work. Concepts are taught through a combination of videos and practice exercises.

Fun Facts

• Saltz’s personal and professional interests and activities are related to design, with a strong emphasis on typography, letterforms and publishing.
• She is an author (books, articles, video tutorials), a professor, a designer, a photographer, a design critic and a design consultant

If you’re interested in this course, you can find more information about the course and how to enroll here.

10. [2021] Career Hacking™: Resume, LinkedIn, Interviewing +More (Udemy)

My tenth pick for the best resume writing online course is [2021] Career Hacking™: Resume, LinkedIn, Interviewing +More on Udemy.

Whether you are a recent graduate or a professional, no matter at which stage you are in your career, you’ll learn resume writing, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters, interviewing and networking skills all in one course. These skills are necessary if you want to get the job of your dreams, and this course makes it possible for you to achieve these easily.

What You’ll Learn

In this course, you’ll prepare a keyword-rich, targeted resume, present yourself powerfully on LinkedIn, interview competently and persuasively, create career opportunities using traditional and non-traditional methods, build relevant professional networks, and set the stage for a rewarding career.

How You’ll Learn

The course is broken down into 12 sections. Each section involves about 20 to 30 minutes of work. Concepts are taught through a combination of videos, readings and quizzes. Downloadable resources are also provided.

Fun Facts

• Mr. Jones is the Chief Learning Officer at Eazl.
• Mrs. Jones is the COO of Eazl and was previously the Marketing & Communications Manager there.
• She earned her master’s degree from SKEMA Business School in Sophia Antipolis, France.

If you’re interested in this course, you can find more information about the course and how to enroll here.