Create a Professional Online Presence from Coursera

Our digital identity and how we present ourselves online are essential for our professional lives. Learn how to create a professional online presence that enhances your employability and puts you in the spotlight for all the right reasons.

In this course, you will learn about the elements that make up your professional online presence, and how to take control of your digital identity. With expert guidance, you’ll learn how to present yourself and your skills in an authentic and professional way and how to make your online presence have a positive impact on your career.

From Facebook to Instagram and beyond, you’ll explore which social media platform suits your career goals and how to select which platforms you should build your professional persona. You’ll also develop an actionable plan to make your online profiles work in your favour.

You’ll consider your privacy and security settings, and learn how to build and manage a professional network. You will understand how different types of online content work on different audiences and examine the ways in which conduct and tone can affect your professional reputation online.

By the end of the course, you’ll understand the importance of your online identity and how to manage it to boost your employability.

This course is one of many, offered by Click Start, a UK training programme designed to help young people develop digital skills. Click Start offers a limited number of scholarships giving free access to young people in the UK. Check the FAQs to see more detail and follow the link to check if you are eligible for free access today.

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1 - What makes up your professional online presence?

This week, you will explore whether your own professional online presence is helping or hindering your career. During the activities, you’ll explore the risks and benefits of having a presence online, look at your digital fingerprint and explore different audiences and privacy settings. You’ll explore what you can do to improve your online presence or make it more professional, look at different approaches and find out about some easy changes you can make. The final steps will guide you through the process of turning your experience and skills from your CV into something impactful.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Well-suited for young individuals in the UK seeking to develop digital skills and enhance their professional online presence

Focuses on building a professional online presence and enhancing employability, catering to those embarking on their careers

Reviews summary

Professional online presence essentials

According to learners, this course offers a highly relevant and practical guide to managing your digital identity. Students find the content to be well-structured, providing actionable strategies for building a professional online presence across various platforms. While it serves as a solid foundation for those new to the concept, some feedback suggests it might offer a more general overview rather than deep dives into specific platforms or advanced techniques. The emphasis on employability and networking is a key strength, providing valuable insights for career development.

Modules are well-organized and easy to follow.

"The course structure made it very easy for me to absorb the information week by week."

"I appreciated the clear explanations that made even complex concepts straightforward."

"The logical flow from understanding my digital footprint to building a network was very helpful."

Directly helps in enhancing employability and career goals.

"I learned practical ways to leverage my online presence to enhance my employability effectively."

"The course really helped me align my personal social media use with my professional career objectives."

"It emphasized the critical importance of professional online networking for my career growth."

Provides practical, up-to-date strategies for online presence.

"I found the content incredibly relevant for navigating today's digital world and job market."

"This course gave me actionable steps that I could immediately apply to improve my online profiles."

"It's essential learning for anyone looking to boost their professional image and employability online."

Covers many platforms, but some topics lack depth.

"It's a good general introduction to online presence, but I wished for more specific guidance on LinkedIn optimization."

"While it covered many social media platforms, I felt some sections were a bit superficial for my needs."

"I think it's great for beginners, but I found it too basic as someone with an existing online presence."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Create a Professional Online Presence with these activities:

Review Digital Marketing and Social Media Principles

Show steps

Strengthens foundational knowledge in digital marketing and social media, laying a strong base for building a professional online presence.

Browse courses on Digital Marketing

Show steps

Revisit course materials or online resources on digital marketing and social media.
Review key concepts such as content creation, audience targeting, and campaign measurement.
Identify areas where you need to refresh or expand your knowledge.

Follow LinkedIn Learning Courses on Professional Branding

Show steps

Provides practical guidance on developing a strong professional brand, aligning with the course's focus on building a positive reputation online.

Show steps

Explore LinkedIn Learning courses related to professional branding.
Select a course that aligns with your goals and interests.
Complete the course and apply the lessons to enhance your online presence.

Practice Writing Professional Social Media Posts

Show steps

Develops your ability to communicate effectively and engage with your audience on social media, enhancing your professional online presence.

Show steps

Identify your target audience and research their interests.
Craft engaging social media posts that provide value or insights.
Practice writing different types of posts, such as updates, questions, and discussions.
Get feedback on your posts to refine your writing skills.

Six other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all nine activities

Read "The Art of Social Media" by Guy Kawasaki and Peg Fitzpatrick

Show steps

Provides a comprehensive understanding of the principles and strategies behind effective social media usage, aligning with the course's focus on building a professional online presence.

Show steps

Read each chapter thoroughly, taking notes on key concepts and strategies.
Summarize the main ideas and how they relate to your professional online presence.
Identify specific actions you can take to improve your social media presence based on the book's insights.

Complete LinkedIn Skill Assessments

Show steps

Validates your skills and makes your profile more credible, boosting your employability.

Show steps

Identify the most relevant skills to showcase on your LinkedIn profile.
Take the corresponding LinkedIn Skill Assessments to demonstrate your proficiency.
Highlight your certified skills on your profile to enhance your credibility.

Follow Online Courses on Digital Reputation Management

Show steps

Provides guidance on managing your online reputation, protecting your professional image and enhancing your employability.

Show steps

Explore online courses or tutorials on digital reputation management.
Select a course that aligns with your needs and interests.
Complete the course and apply the strategies to monitor, protect, and enhance your online reputation.

Attend Industry Events and Conferences

Show steps

Provides opportunities to connect with professionals in your field, build relationships, and expand your professional network.

Show steps

Research industry events and conferences relevant to your career goals.
Register and attend the events, actively participating in discussions and networking.
Follow up with connections made at the events to build relationships.

Create a LinkedIn Profile Audit Report

Show steps

Helps you to identify areas for improvement on your LinkedIn profile, enhancing your professional online presence.

Show steps

Review your LinkedIn profile and note areas where it could be strengthened.
Research industry best practices and compare your profile to industry leaders.
Create a report outlining the areas for improvement, including specific suggestions for optimization.

Build a Personal Website or Portfolio

Show steps

Creates a dedicated online space to showcase your skills, experience, and professional identity, enhancing your visibility and employability.

Show steps

Choose a platform and domain name for your website or portfolio.
Design and develop the website, showcasing your best work and relevant skills.
Optimize your website for search engines and promote it through social media.

Career center

Learners who complete Create a Professional Online Presence will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Community Manager

Community Managers are responsible for building and managing online communities, often around a brand or product. They use social media, forums, and other online platforms to engage with customers, answer questions, and build relationships. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Community Manager, including how to create and manage a professional online presence, how to use social media to build a community, and how to engage with customers online.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Manager

Digital Marketing Specialist

Digital Marketing Specialists are responsible for planning and executing digital marketing campaigns. They use a variety of online channels, such as search engines, social media, and email, to reach target audiences. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Digital Marketing Specialist, including how to create and manage a professional online presence, how to use social media for marketing, and how to track and measure the success of your campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Marketing Specialist

Social Media Manager

Social Media Managers are responsible for managing a company's social media presence. They create and publish content, engage with customers, and track and measure the success of social media campaigns. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Social Media Manager, including how to create and manage a professional online presence, how to use social media to build a brand, and how to track and measure the success of your campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Content Creator

Content Creators are responsible for creating and publishing content for a variety of online platforms, such as websites, blogs, and social media. They use their writing, photography, and video skills to create content that is engaging and informative. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Content Creator, including how to create and manage a professional online presence, how to write effective content, and how to use social media to promote your work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Creator

Web Developer

Web Developers are responsible for designing and developing websites. They use their programming skills to create websites that are both functional and visually appealing. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Web Developer, including how to create and manage a professional online presence, how to use web development tools, and how to design and develop websites.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designers are responsible for creating visual content for a variety of purposes, such as websites, brochures, and marketing materials. They use their design skills to create visual content that is both effective and visually appealing. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Graphic Designer, including how to create and manage a professional online presence, how to use design software, and how to create effective visual content.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic Designer

Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists are responsible for managing a company's public relations. They work with the media to promote the company's brand and build relationships with key stakeholders. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Public Relations Specialist, including how to create and manage a professional online presence, how to build relationships with the media, and how to manage a public relations crisis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Event Planner

Event Planners are responsible for planning and executing events, such as conferences, weddings, and parties. They use their organizational skills to create events that are both successful and memorable. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Event Planner, including how to create and manage a professional online presence, how to plan and execute events, and how to manage event budgets.

See salaries and explore the career path for Event Planner

Sales Representative

Sales Representatives are responsible for selling products or services to customers. They use their sales skills to build relationships with customers and close deals. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Sales Representative, including how to create and manage a professional online presence, how to build relationships with customers, and how to close deals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Representative

Customer Service Representative

Customer Service Representatives are responsible for providing customer service to customers. They answer questions, resolve complaints, and build relationships with customers. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Customer Service Representative, including how to create and manage a professional online presence, how to provide excellent customer service, and how to resolve customer complaints.

See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Service Representative

Recruiter

Recruiters are responsible for finding and hiring qualified candidates for open positions. They use their sourcing skills to find candidates and their interviewing skills to assess candidates. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Recruiter, including how to create and manage a professional online presence, how to source candidates, and how to interview candidates.

See salaries and explore the career path for Recruiter

Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing the human resources department of a company. They oversee employee relations, benefits, and payroll. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Human Resources Manager, including how to create and manage a professional online presence, how to manage employee relations, and how to administer benefits and payroll.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Consultant

Consultants are responsible for providing advice and guidance to clients on a variety of business issues. They use their expertise to help clients solve problems and achieve their goals. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Consultant, including how to create and manage a professional online presence, how to provide consulting services, and how to build relationships with clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning and executing projects. They use their project management skills to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Project Manager, including how to create and manage a professional online presence, how to plan and execute projects, and how to manage project teams.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs are responsible for starting and running their own businesses. They use their business skills to identify opportunities, develop products or services, and build a successful business. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Entrepreneur, including how to create and manage a professional online presence, how to develop a business plan, and how to market your business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur