Indeed, at present, the distinction between formal qualifications, and optional courses (short courses) is still quite vague. However, because it affects your CV, I will spend a little shallow understanding to clarify this issue.
In general, formal qualifications are in your “educational” group. In other words, it helps you meet the most “basic criteria” of the job requirements. Since the number of students in each regular course graduating every year is quite large, this “education” group should not be one of the determining factors for your selection.
It only shows that you have completed a regular program and are qualified for the next screening steps.
Short, optional courses are an additional factor for recruiters in screening and reviewing resumes. Currently, training centers for specialized knowledge or topics are doing better and better in attracting students. In almost all areas of good growth and development focus, we can easily find training centers.
The tourism service industry has short courses in kitchen, reception, restaurants, rooms, etc. The IT industry has programming courses. The manufacturing industry has training courses such as Quality Management, ISO, etc.
Depending on your orientation and passion, each person can choose for themselves a short course from general to specialized on a topic to learn more knowledge.
I do not intend to PR advertising for those training centers here. What I mean is that you can study in the center or study on your own through online resources and learn from people who are experienced and knowledgeable in the area you are interested in.
These “non-formal” classes give you an edge in applying for jobs. Maybe in some jobs, you don’t have practical experience, but employers always appreciate candidates who have orientation and invest in the field of expertise related to the job for which they are applying. It shows a serious attitude to pursue a job in a certain field.
You can imagine the two candidates are quite similar, one of them when asked about his experience replied that he has never done it, but if he is accepted by the company, he will try his best to learn.
The same question but the other candidate replied that she had never done the job but she has researched and learned about it through short courses or self-study. Of course, she will be a better candidate later.
Let’s imagine you apply for a position that requires specific knowledge or skills and your CV shows that you have learned about it, understood it, and can apply it in your job. This is one of the most important factors that many candidates often overlook.
We have a lot of things we have learned outside of school but for subjective reasons, we think they are not really important to put on our CV. That’s really a mistake and misses your chances a lot.
Recruiters, in general, do have not the full knowledge or skillset required by your industry, if you have something you need to study in-depth, show it off.
Language programming skills X, Graphic design skills based on software Y, Knowledge of 7 quality management tools, Lean production, 5S, Kaizen, Chinese food processing, Interview skills recruitment advice, etc.
A lot of cool things outside of school you have learned in the process of self-study, tinkering as well as being sent to school by previous companies, but you almost forgot to include it. This is one of the omissions that I find most commonly encountered in most CVs related to the Education and Skills section.
