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.

Week 2 - How do you build your professional network?

This week you’ll explore how to use different platforms to build your professional online presence and work towards creating a plan to keep your professional online presence up to date. During the activities, you will explore different social and publishing platforms which may be useful for creating or boosting a professional profile online. You’ll consider their relative strengths and how they will fit your goals. You will also explore how to create and maintain a network of professional contacts to achieve your professional and personal development goals. At the end of the week, you’ll be exploring how to create an effective plan for your online professional presence, and sharing plans with other learners.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, 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

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

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

Browse courses on Digital Marketing

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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.

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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