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What to include on a Software Engineer resume

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What to include on a Software Engineer resume

Whether you’re new to the field of software engineering or you’ve been at this for a few years, having a polished resume is essential before you apply for your next position. The document itself might be compact, but it can take some time to craft if you don’t know where to start.

We’ve pulled together what you need to include on your Software Engineer resume so that you can save some time while writing yours. First, we go over what you need to include. Second, we have some tips if this is your very first Software Engineer resume. Last, we’ll show you where you can find additional resources to prepare for your new job and the interview process.

Why do you need a software engineering resume?

When you’ve had a long career in another field and a resume that is full of experience, you might think that will be enough to land an interview for a new career. But that’s not true, unfortunately. You need a technical resume that’s specifically crafted for the programming, engineering, or development job you are looking to land.

The purpose of a resume is to capture a snapshot of who you are professionally and what skills you have to get you into the “yes” pile of resumes for an interview. Some larger companies use resume scanning programs that look for relevant keywords and specific Software Engineer skills. So, if you’ve recently taken online courses in software engineering, you can highlight those courses as a way to include keywords and skills.  Read our tips on how to list online courses on your resume.

What should go on a software engineer resume?

There are a few key sections that need to be on your Software Engineer resume in order to get noticed by your hiring manager. Let’s take a closer look at what should be included in each section.

Contact information

Include your name, email address, mailing address, any social media handles, and a link to your portfolio if you have one. Keep these details in an easy-to-find spot so the hiring manager can effortlessly find them and get in touch with you, such as at the top or in the top right-hand corner. You could even use icons to draw the reader’s eye to your contact information.

A heading specific to software engineering

Even if you’re just starting out, consider giving yourself an appropriate title to signify you’re serious about being a Software Engineer and working in the field, such as Junior Software Engineer.

Programming skills

If the software engineering position you’re applying for has a specific set of required programming skills and your skills match those requirements, list them out in a section titled “Skills.” Be sure to only put the skills you actually have gained by learning on the job,  taking courses, interning, or teaching yourself. If the job you’re applying for requires web development skills, then be sure to list HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and any applicable libraries you’re familiar with. If the position requires back-end engineering skills, then be sure to also list those, including SQL, Python, and any other specifics.

Job experience

It’s standard to start with your most recent jobs and then move backward in time. If you’re lucky enough to have had a long and illustrious career, then you can pick and choose some of the more relevant experiences you’ve had through the years. But be mindful of too much information as you don’t want to bombard the recruiter with pages and pages of experience. Instead, use bullet points so you get to the facts quickly.

If this is your first job as a Software Engineer, you can still list your experience. But get creative about showing that you can solve problems, work with technology, and succeed in a team environment. It might not have been in the same role, but you can show you’re a reliable team member and great overall employee.

Courses and education

If you have a degree or certificate(s), be sure to list it on your resume. If you’ve earned a certificate, have a professional designation (like Professional Engineer), or have completed online courses, you can include these under the “Education” heading of your resume. There is high demand for Software Engineers, so don’t let your learning path stop you from applying for a job. What matters is that you have the skills — not how you got to the finish line.

What if this is your first Software Engineer job?

If this is the first resume highlighting your skills as a Software Engineer, you may not have a long list of relevant technical experience. That’s perfectly understandable and expected. You’re likely applying for a junior position, meaning your hiring manager will be expecting a Junior Software Engineer resume.

To compensate for not having a long list of jobs in the field, you could substitute in a section detailing your latest programming projects. These could be things you’ve created on your own, work you’ve taken on for free to build your portfolio, or projects that were part of online courses you completed.

You can also include a list of your online courses or certificates. This shows how you filled in any gaps in your knowledge on your own accord, and it’ll help show the recruiter that you have the skills required to be successful in the job.

While it may be your first job as a Software Engineer, you could actually have more skills than are necessary for the one you want. For example, you might have taken courses to be qualified as a Full-Stack Engineer, but the position you’re applying to is a Front-End Engineer (or Web Developer) position. Be sure to carefully select and highlight the skills that apply to the job you’re trying to land so that it’s easy for the hiring manager to see how you’re the right fit.

How to get ready for your Software Engineer interview

Once your Software Engineer resume is complete, it’s time to submit it to the company you’ve been dreaming of working for. Then, the next step is to prepare for the technical interview. It’s much more involved than other interviews because the hiring team needs to determine if you know what you’re talking about, and if you’ll fit in well with their team of developers and engineers.

If you want to learn more about technical interviews and brush up on your software engineering skills, consider our Full-Stack Engineer and Front-End Engineer Career Paths. Both of these Career Paths contain courses on what to expect and how to prepare for a technical interview.

Announcing Facebook’s entry-level Marketing Analyst Professional Certificate, social impact scholarships, and new job resources for program completers on Coursera

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Announcing Facebook’s entry-level Marketing Analyst Professional Certificate, social impact scholarships, and new job resources for program completers on Coursera

By Betty Vandenbosch, Chief Content Officer at Coursera

We are pleased to announce a new entry-level Marketing Analyst Professional Certificate from Facebook, launching on Coursera in October. The certificate is designed to help learners of any educational or professional background prepare for an entry-level marketing analyst position. 

As digital transformation sweeps across industries, organizations increasingly need employees skilled in tech-driven tools, systems, and ways of working. Among these emerging, in-demand roles are marketing analysts, who gather, analyze, and distill data to help organizations make smart marketing decisions. Marketing research analyst positions are slated to steadily grow over the coming years.

Facebook’s marketing analyst certificate will cost $49 per month and is designed to be completed within 20 weeks. The program equips learners to perform core marketing analyst activities, such as hypothesizing, experimenting, and extracting insights. Upon completion, learners will receive an industry-recognized certificate they can use to apply for entry-level marketing analyst positions. 

To further support learners along their career journeys, Coursera’s Social Impact Program is teaming up with Facebook to connect refugee and formerly incarcerated learners with free access to job-relevant learning on Coursera and career support services. Scholarships and support services will be distributed directly through nonprofit partners, including International Rescue Committee, Upwardly Global, Save the Children, and Prison Entrepreneurship Project, among others. 

Simultaneously, Facebook is launching a new job board to connect learners with 60+ employers — including BBDO, dentsu, GroupM, Havas Media, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health, Reprise Digital, VaynerMedia, Facebook and many more — that want to hire from the Facebook certificate talent pool. Learners who complete a Facebook Professional Certificate on Coursera will gain exclusive access to this new job board. 

“It is our hope that these steps will play a part in helping to close the increasingly widening skills gap so that millions of job seekers, particularly people from diverse communities, have access to more alternative, affordable, flexible, and job-specific training opportunities to build their skills and prepare for the jobs of tomorrow.” – Judy Toland, VP, Head of Scaled Solutions, Global Business Marketing at Facebook

We’re proud to partner with Facebook to offer the new certificate, scholarships, and job resources. Together, we are dedicated to providing all learners with the training and support they need to enter meaningful, growing careers.  

Learn more about Facebook’s new job board and pre-enroll in the Facebook Marketing Analyst Professional Certificate today.

 

What You Can Do To Fight Climate Change

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What You Can Do To Fight Climate Change

From Germany to Oregon, this week we have seen unprecedented climate disasters across the globe. From floods to fires, nature has kicked back this week against our abuse of the planet and its resources. 

While steps are being taken at the highest level to combat climate change and preserve our world’s natural beauty and resources, it’s down to all of us as individuals to do our fair share and put pressure on decision makers to act quickly and responsibly. The first step, before action, is education. At Alison, we are dedicated to empowering people through learning and not just in terms of career development. We believe that by informing our learners about the realities of climate change, we can empower them to play their part in protecting our planet. Here are five vital courses for informing yourself about the hurdles facing our world and how we can contribute to overcoming them

1. Know The Science

In these strange times of fake news and “alternative facts”, climate change has become a mire of conflicting narratives, many of them false. With so much at stake, it’s crucial that you ground yourself in the scientific realities of the effect humanity is having on the planet.

2. Floods

Western Europe has been devastated by flooding this week, with a shocking loss of life in some of the world’s most developed economies. It goes to show that climate change does not discriminate in who it affects. This course will bring you up to speed in how we can best manage our water ways to avoid similar devastation in the future.

3. Fires

The Bootleg Fire currently raging in Oregon in the north-west of the United States is covering an area the size of the city of Los Angeles. Over 300,000 acres have been scorched by the blaze which has resulted in thousands of evacuations and the destruction of countless homes. As the planet’s temperature increases, learning how to safely manage the Earth’s forests is becoming increasingly important in order to guarantee the safety of millions of people living near wooded areas.

4. Fuels

One of the shining hopes for the future is the success we’re seeing in alternative energy sources. From wind to solar, biofuel to geothermal, humanity has gone back to the drawing board and come up with a variety of green alternatives to fossil fuels. However, just this week, oil-producing nations have decided to increase their output of crude oil, showing that it’s still vital to spread awareness of fossil fuel replacements in order to reduce demand for these damaging fuels.

5. Environmental Management

Whether it’s your garden, the fields behind your house or your office green space, there is no patch of earth too small to make a difference. This course will teach you everything you need to know to improve the environmental conditions of the spaces nearest to you and closest to your heart. It covers topics as wide-ranging as water quality, species diversity and sustainability.

Python 2 vs. Python 3: Which should you learn?

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Python 2 vs. Python 3: Which should you learn?

Python is a popular programming language for beginners. It’s both powerful and extremely versatile, used in just about every industry and for many different types of coding projects. So, if you’re just getting into programming, Python is a great choice as it’s both easy to learn and in demand.

Python was first released in 1991 by the Dutch programmer Guido van Rossum. Since then, it’s gone through many changes. Today, there are three major versions of Python. Of those, only the last two versions — Python 2 and Python 3 — are still in use.

This can be confusing to new developers. Which should you learn, Python 2 or Python 3? Generally, the answer is the latter, but there are many cases in which it helps to know the former.

To help you decide which version of Python is right for you, we’ll explore the language’s history and development, the differences between Python 2 and Python 3, and the use cases for each in the paragraphs below.

History of Python 2 vs. Python 3

Python 2 came out in 2000. The upgrade to the language was designed to make it easier for the average person to learn, but it also added many features developers needed, like list comprehension, Unicode support, garbage collection, and improved support for object-oriented programming. With all these benefits, it wasn’t a hard choice for developers to upgrade their Python 1 code to Python 2.

Python 3 came out in 2008 after van Rossum found new ways to improve the language. You learn as you go in programming, and sometimes problems only show up late in the process. But these improvements could only be made with a new version of Python that wouldn’t be backward compatible with Python 2.

Python 3’s lack of backward compatibility was an issue for many developers, as they relied on the third-party libraries written to support Python 2 to expedite the development of their applications. Given the popularity of Python and its associated libraries, Python 2 code was everywhere, and it was hard to get people to make the change.

The last version of Python 2 was released in 2010, after the initial release of Python 3. Initially, the support for Python 2 was supposed to end in 2015, but because it was still so widely used, the deadline got pushed back until January 2020.

What’s the difference between Python 2 and Python 3?

Python 3 brought many changes to the language, both large and small. For example, with Python 2, division between integers always returned another integer — so if you divided 7 by 5, you’d get 1. With Python 3, the same formula will return the actual value of 1.4 as a float.

Another change involved the print keyword in Python 2 becoming the print() function in Python 3, as seen in the examples below.

print "Hello World"
print("Hello World")

A bigger change between the two versions of the language laid in their default character encoding of strings. Character encoding is how a programming language stores characters in bytes. Python 2’s default character encoding, ASCII, only allowed for the use of letters, digits, and punctuation marks.

Python 3, on the other hand, uses Unicode, which supports the English, Arabic, and Greek alphabets (among others), along with mathematical symbols, emojis, and more. Before the release of Python 3, most modern programming languages had already made the switch to Unicode.

Python 2 is an untyped language. This means you can create a variable as a string, like a name, and later assign it to an integer, like 2. Python 3 supports typing but doesn’t enforce it. This means that developers can still write Python 3 code in the same style they wrote Python 2 code, but they can also choose to use type hints to write code that is more understandable, useable, and efficient.

Why should you learn Python 3?

Python 3 is the obvious choice for any developer that is beginning to learn to program. The changes that were made to the language make it easier to write quality code using the language. This is why the version was created in the first place. It just took a while for the Python community to catch up and upgrade all the third-party libraries that developers depended on to get the job done.

It took quite a few years for most of these third-party libraries to be upgraded to Python 3. But now, you’ll find a larger selection of libraries supporting Python 3 than the older version. And, as of the beginning of 2020, Python 2 is no longer being developed. The last version of Python 2 had been in maintenance mode for years by then, and all its new features were added to Python 3.

For the most part, you won’t find much Python 2 code in use today.

Why should you learn Python 2?

While you may not find much Python 2 code in use, you may still run into it from time to time. Most companies have what they call legacy code. This is code that is already working, and development on it has finished except for fixing bugs that may pop up once in a while. You might see Python 2 code in companies that don’t see the upgrade to Python 3 as worth the effort.

You may also run into the rare Python 2 library, and if it’s necessary for your project and there are no alternatives, you may have no other choice than to write Python 2 code. Some of the more popular libraries that still support Python 2 include Fabric and Ansible, which are tools used in DevOps to manage the configuration of servers.

Getting started with Python

Python has a long history now but has only gone through three major changes in its 30 years. For the longest time, most developers chose Python 2 over Python 3 because most of the Python ecosystem was written in the former, even though the latter was a big improvement. But that’s changed.

Today, most libraries are written in Python 3 because Python 2 is no longer being maintained. You may still run into Python 2 code once in a while, but the actual differences between the languages are easy to learn. If you know Python 3, you can write Python 2 code if necessary. To get started learning Python 3 today, check out our Learn Python 3 course.

How to improve communication skills

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How to improve communication skills

Even someone with the most brilliant solutions can have little to no impact if they aren’t an effective communicator. This is especially true at the workplace and while on a job interview. As a good communicator, you can learn from others while conveying the value of your ideas, opinions, and feelings. Read on to learn how to communicate effectively at the workplace, during a job interview, and in life overall.

How to improve communication skills during an interview

Your job interview is your chance to show your interviewer that you can contribute ideas and develop effective solutions. It also allows them to gauge how well you can work with a team, accept feedback, and consider others’ thoughts and feelings.

There are several ways that you can illustrate your communicative skills during an interview. There’s more to communication than just what you say. Eye contact, facial expressions, and even your speech rate all contribute to your effectiveness as a communicator. Below, we’ll explore some tips for how you can improve your communication skills during a job interview.

Maintain eye contact

In many cultures, maintaining eye contact shows that you’re respectful, attentive, and fully present in a social situation. Still, for many people, eye contact can feel awkward. During a job interview, it’s best to try to overcome any discomfort you have with eye contact — especially if you’re interviewing in a country where it’s expected.

If your eyes dart around the room while someone is speaking, at a computer screen — or even worse, a phone — your interviewer may think you’re not invested in what they have to say or the position itself.

Maintaining eye contact during an interview is far easier if you’re confident about what you’re talking about. To ensure you’re ready for your interviews, you can check out our courses designed to help you say and do the right things while in front of a prospective employer:

The 50/70 rule

According to a report from Michigan State University, it’s best to maintain eye contact 50% of the time while speaking and 70% of the time while listening. When speaking, it’s common for people to allow their eyes to shift as they think about what to say. Plus, if you intently stare into someone’s eyes while talking to them, you may risk coming across as intimidating. Hence, the reduced eye contact while speaking.

Still, while listening, eye contact plays an integral role in the communication process. To achieve the 70% experts recommend, try to hold eye contact while your interviewer is speaking for between four and five seconds. Then, slowly glance off to the side as if you’re thinking about something they just said before reestablishing eye contact for another four to five seconds.

Control the speed of your speech

Speaking quickly is a natural result of nervousness, but you should try to avoid rattling off quick sentences during a job interview. Here are a few tips for controlling the speed of your speech:

  • Focus on the beginnings and endings of each word you say. When you commit to saying each word completely — naturally, without over-annunciating — you both control your pace and make your words clearer.
  • Pause in between sentences. At times, even a sentence that comes out quickly can still be understood if the listener has an extra moment to process it.
  • Periodically check in with your listener. Taking brief breaks to ask questions like, “Does that make sense?” prevents you from quickly running through several sentences in a row. It also shows that you care about how what you say is coming across.

Use appropriate facial expressions

It’s OK to smile, especially if you’re nervous. A smile will put your interviewer at ease and may even encourage them to smile as well. Still, as a general rule, it’s typically best to mirror the expression of the person you’re speaking to. If they smile, you can too. If they look serious, you can show you appreciate the gravity of what they’re saying by slightly furrowing your brow or thoughtfully pursing your lips.

On the other hand, if you smile for the entire interview, even when the interviewer is talking about a troubling challenge the company is facing, you risk coming across as someone who takes important things too lightly.

Ask questions

Asking questions shows that you’re fully invested in the interview. While fact-seeking questions are excellent, you don’t have to limit yourself to general queries about the job or the organization’s goals. Feel free to ask clarifying questions that restate what was just said when your interviewer stops speaking or before forming a reply.

For example, after the interviewer explains how the DevOps team is structured, you could say, “So it sounds like the same person handles the roles of software tester and release manager. Do I have that correct?” They may nod their head or say yes. You can then continue, “That’s an interesting way of maintaining quality control. About six months ago, I worked on a team that took a similar approach…” This way, you show interest and attentiveness while highlighting your past experience.

General tips to improve communication skills at work

After the job interview, communication becomes even more important as you’ll need it to collaborate with others and effectively convey your ideas and solutions. Here are some tips for improving your communication skills at work:

Ask for feedback

Asking for feedback shows you are a thoughtful, humble person who wants to improve. While receiving feedback, you can also get actionable goals that you can use to measure your success.

Listen more than you talk

Talking too much during a conversation can make the other person feel undervalued. Devote more time to listening than talking. If you’re able to get the other person talking, you can learn from them, make them feel more comfortable, and earn a reputation as someone who cares about the opinions of others.

Pay attention to your nonverbal communication

Your body, like a picture, speaks a thousand words. Try the following:

  • Keep your arms uncrossed while listening. This, in effect, shows you are welcoming the other person’s thoughts.
  • Instead of facing the other person straight on, stand at a slight angle. In this way, they won’t feel trapped or boxed in by your body.
  • Use gestures while giving a presentation. Keep your hands out of your pockets, and be sure to use them while trying to convey emotion.

Improving your communication skills will help you land the job you want and enhance your impact while there. With our courses, you can strengthen your knowledge base while improving your communication skills. Working with other students and teachers gives you the chance to practice active listening and contributing your ideas for the benefit of all involved. The connections you make can also boost your career prospects for many years to come. Get started for free today!

Hello Summer | Free Summer Blogger Template

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Hello Summer | Free Summer Blogger Template

Hello Summer | Free Summer Blogger Template

It has been a long time since we had a free blogger template for you, so I decided to create a new one! This time it is all about summer with a blue and coral color palette and shell drawings in the header. It will be perfect for seasonal use or for all travel lovers. If you were looking for a quick blog makeover, make sure to grab this free summer blogger template

Free Summer Blogger Template

When installed on your blog, you’ll be able to edit the title, tagline, and menu link titles. All of your existing sidebar gadgets will remain with this design.

You can edit fonts and most design colors using the blogger template editor, so feel free to play with the settings. Make sure to share the results with your blog link in the comments below. Everything else comes as shown in the preview.

This design IS mobile responsive, however, remember that it is for Blogger Platform only.

Make sure to check the live demo of the desigining by clicking the image below.

Preview of Free Summer Blogger Template with a gorgeous shell drawings.

For personal use only.

NOTE: this template is available as a free download through August 31, 2021 only. After that, a $5 download fee applies.

The download package includes an Installation Instruction to help you set-up your new design. Remember that by downloading this template you agree to these terms. Enjoy!

Did you know we can help you with adding accessories to your design? Anything from custom logos to social media widgets can be found in our accessories shop. If you are looking for something really specific, contact us, and we will make it for you!

If you are looking for more blogger designs, you can find them in our Premade Templates Blogger Shop. They are all just $15 each, so it is a perfect option for a stylish and affordable blog makeover.

Lastly, I hope you like this free summer blogger template. Do you like the seasonal free blogger templates or would you prefer more printables instead?

Digest #154: Memorizing vs Understanding

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Digest #154: Memorizing vs Understanding

by Althea Need Kaminske

Is there a difference between memorizing material and understanding material? And if so, shouldn’t educators focus on the presumably better, more wholistic of the two, understanding rather than rote memorization? The answers to these, as always, is somewhat complicated. I sat down to write a blog post analyzing the differences between what people mean by memory vs understanding then realized that we have several posts that do just that! This week’s digest focuses on the discussion around rote memorization and understanding/experience.

(For those who want to cut to the chase, my answers to those questions would be summarized as: First, yes, there certainly are differences in how people learn, integrate, and use information and experiences. Second, no, it doesn’t make sense to focus solely on understanding rather than memory. Separating memory from understanding is something of a false dichotomy. Learning is better when both “rote” memory and understanding/experience are emphasized.)

Summer Reading Contest Winner Week 3: On ‘The Pandemic Has Shrunk Our Social Circles. Let’s Keep It That Way.’

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Summer Reading Contest Winner Week 3: On ‘The Pandemic Has Shrunk Our Social Circles. Let’s Keep It That Way.’

Felix Liu, 14, from Millburn High School in Millburn, N.J., chose an essay from the Sunday Review headlined “The Pandemic Has Shrunk Our Social Circles. Let’s Keep It That Way” and wrote:

“Stop talking to strangers on Discord, and come help me make sushi!” my mom yelled.

“OK, OK! Lemme say goodbye first,” I halfheartedly responded. I was talking to a few friends on Discord about a new karaoke event. Ayaka lives in England. She likes horror movies and scary things in general, and femboys. Adam is from Malaysia. He likes food, Discord, and sleeping — except he actually doesn’t sleep that much at all. During the pandemic, I wasn’t able to play with my classmates or neighbors, so I began playing games online, and I got to make friends all around the world.

Kate Murphy’s article “The Pandemic Has Shrunk Our Social Circles. Let’s Keep It That Way” explains how Carnegie-Mellon psychology professor Sheldon Cohen shrunk down his social contacts from 400 people to an essential list of about 50 people, ranking them by importance. Murphy explains how humans can only keep a certain number of friends at a time, and adding one will inevitably lead to another person becoming less important.

My experience has been the opposite. I have actually expanded my friends online. My new online friends are also a lot more diverse than my real-life friends, coming from various social backgrounds, locations and age groups. I’ve gotten to witness multiple generations of thinking and culture in a single Discord server, and I’m truly grateful to have the opportunity to spend time with such a unique community. Oh, and Ayaka offered to take me on a London tour if I come to visit.

Alicia on “Dear Class of 2021: Don’t Do Your Homework. Live Your Life.”

Amy Liao on “Bill Cosby Freed as Court Overturns His Sex Assault Conviction”

Amy on “The Abandoned Houses of Instagram”

Christy on “Could the Pandemic Prompt an ‘Epidemic of Loss’ of Women in the Sciences?”

Daniel on “Meet Elizabeth Ann, the First Cloned Black-Footed Ferret”

Elaine on “Christopher Stone, Who Proposed Legal Rights for Trees, Dies at 83”

Isabella Huang on “How to Remove Graffiti”

Kathy Xiang on “Remembering the Man Behind ‘I ❤️ NY’”

Lucie on “Funny or Racist? A Food Bit on James Corden’s Late Show Draws Ire.”

Oscar on “America Is Getting Meaner”

Oscar on “Hundreds More Unmarked Graves Found at Former Residential School in Canada”

Info you need to know – To Boost Success

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Info you need to know – To Boost Success

I moved several months ago. I didn’t know what to expect in my town. I fell in love with the mountain views, having the extensive property in the desert. I was anticipating the summer, the intense heat (which actually isn’t that bad), I knew what I thought I knew.

Then the deer started to appear. Next, a few bobcats, roadrunners, and quail. What I saw next, though, I had no idea even existed. Javelinas. I read what I could, and then put out water containers for them.

Nowadays, between 6 and 7 p.m., I watch them, my own National Geographic episode. I named a few regulars – Fang, Pig Pen, Racer, Punk, and Howard Hughes.

I have learned a lot about them, observing them from afar. I went about adding my own “integrations” if you will to further enhance my own experience. Recording them with a video cam. Taking photos and jotting down some notes on my tablet.

Each integration into the system – my brain in this matter – has provided me with a wealth of knowledge and insight, without any impact per se, with their own daily lives. The fragile ecosystem stays on track, with a tweak – water (they have access to daily water fountains).

Integrations can offer a positive impact on your learning system. A fragile ecosystem that is dependent on a solution, to function properly and when needed has a tweak to go even further than before. They should enhance the learning experience, engagement of your end-users on the learner side, and for an administrator, gain greater insight into learning and training behaviors.

Most folks who utilize integrations, tend to select the ones they are familiar with or need because of an existing “additional system/platform” that they possess or will possess.

Yet, what if there were other integrations, that would expand the learning and training endeavors for your employees, customers, members, students, or some form of a combination of them?

There are plenty of folks out there, who if they knew about some of these, may think thereafter, hmm, this just might work for what we need.

Which ones though? There are plenty of there, thus, here are the ones, I have found (dependent on your specific needs) that can be integrated with any learning system out there, regardless of type.

Key Terms To Remember

  • Deep Integration – Integration can go deep into the system, becomes a part of the system, learner cannot tell – If you purchase Bongo for your system (i.e. not a vendor), they will do a deep integration for it. I always recommend deep integration. If you are a vendor that wants Bongo, they will do a deep integration.
  • Integration – Just a connection between the system and the 3rd party platform/system/tool – Learners usally bounce to the platform, which is integrated in the system (thus they usually stay with in the system – think iFrame angle, however, they may leave the system and go directly to the platform, then go back into the system. If integration is on the admin side only, for example a BI tool, then the data may appear in the system, or require you to go into the BI tool itself).

Whether you go deep integration or integration – and it is not included as no charge to you as a benefit of purchasing the system, you will need to purchase a license from that vendor (on top of your fees for the system).

Bongo Learn – URL

Video Skills Validation (my term, they say Assessment). Role-Playing. Scenario-base learning. Digital coaching and/or mentoring.

One perk that Bongo offers is a speech analysis – identifying over-used words, or different levels of usage and terminology for the target audience. The Learner sees these metrics. If you are providing sales training, product training, recruiting, frankly any type of training/learning whereas the person (the learner) is communicating with the public, this gives you and the learner, an in-depth analysis. People are always interested in improving (whether they admit it or not), and offering this capability can do wonders because it ties into

Role-Playing and Real World Scenario-Based Learning. With this feature, the end-user can be placed into a real-life sim, so to speak with real-time engagement and feedback. Identification of skills, and where they actually are at that moment in time, is priceless. The challenge with e-learning is how to validate what they learned in a role-playing or real-world scenario, that goes beyond a “test”, whereas someone can memorize or guess the responses. Plus, engagement in that format is zero. I have found that engagement is higher when an adult learner is placed into a real-world scenario based on what they are doing in the workplace. Skill comprehension increases, and so does retention and synthesis. Think this way, why do so many systems that focus on tech skills, have built-in real-world simulations? Because it works.

Digital coaching and mentoring. Here is how it typically works in most systems. The learner gets on a webcam and talks to the coach/mentor. The mentor/coach responds via text within the system. The learner responds either via text or webcam. Basically, it is reactive. Bongo – changes that. You can go webcam or a mobile device with a cam, and communicate in real-time, even PIP (picture in picture). Remember those role-plays? That is a great method for coaching. If you are providing customer education having a “coach or a mentor” is a value-add, showing a difference between you and your competitors. Think about leadership training. What is more a “plus”? An expert to guide you or one-way and text? Engagement is right here. It is also a key reason, why you are seeing more and more software companies offering a “coach” as part of their offering.

What systems offer Bongo today? Quite a few actually, but here is a shortlist (and not everyone) – D2L, Thought Industries, IMC-AG, Looop, Brainier, Cengage, Intrepid by vitalsource, and TopHat. As mentioned, you can, have this capability – via integration in your learning system.

Some vendors that already have Bongo (built into the system), charge extra for this add-on, others do not – i.e. you get it for free when you buy their system. Always ask the vendor. For example, Thought Industries is an add-on cost.

Anders Pink –URL

Web content aggregator whereas will search the web, based on your parameters, filters, etc., and pull into the system, the free content tied to those parameters, keywords, skills, and so forth.

If you purchase Anders Pink for your system (i.e. not a vendor), they will do a deep integration for it. I always recommend deep integration. If you are a vendor that wants Anders Pink, they will do a deep integration.

  • A wonderful solution, that curates content based on the topics, parameters, keywords, filters and so forth right into the learning system (They call the content – briefings)
  • Content can be shared within the system, even on social media if you so choose
  • Relevant content based on their AI
  • Fresh if you will, in that it is pushed daily to your system from the internet.
  • Metrics on the back-end for those who are interested (dependent on how the learning system integrates)
  • Several systems already have an integration available (if you have the system or plan to) – this list includes D2L, Learn Amp, GO1, Degreed, and Stream LXP

What systems have deep integration with Anders Pink today? A very good selection, again just a very short list (and not everyone) – Fuse, Docebo, THRIVE

Some vendors that already have AndersPink (built into the system), charge extra for this add-on, others do not – i.e. you get it for free when you buy their system. Fuse it is free. Thought Industries is an add-on. Docebo is part of Discover, Coach, and Share which is an add-on for Learn (their LMS). Discover, Coach and Share, has other capabilities, beyond Anders Pink.

Course Merchant – URL

An e-commerce solution, where you can sell your courses/content. They also have other solutions.

  • Enables you to sell your content/courses in a learning system (regardless of type). Great for those who want to sell, but the system lacks e-commerce or doesn’t have all the capabilities you are expecting or want.
  • Front -end for your buyers, can be basic or fluid, as your web site
  • Various options are available
  • Offers code for open source systems (for free -and for those interested)
  • Several systems already have an integration available (if you have the system or plan to), not the entire list, ust a select few – D2L, Totara, Kallidus, Blackboard

What systems have deep integration with Course Merchant? A variety, including D2L

Workato – URL

Workflow automation via various pre-existing integrations that are available as part of the platform. Think – integration aggregator.

  • If system goes deep integration, the adminstrator can set up “triggers” and “actions” for each of the integrations that exist in the platform. They refer to this as “receipes”.
  • Total control on what you want it do and not do. Can change as often as you want.
  • An extensive list of integrations – again, you buy Workato and can select as many integrations as you want – but there is a catch.
  • Each integration is around 6K. For this you receive access to Workato, maintenace and updates from them, ability to do “receipes”. The price point is the major downer.

One system that offers Workato as a deep integration is Docebo. It is an add-on, additional cost.

Zapier – URL

Workflow automation via various pre-existing integrations that are available as part of the platform. Think – integration aggregator. I use Zapier myself.

  • With learning system vendors, usally goes integration
  • IMO, far better than Workato, but that is always up for personal choice
  • Over 3,000 apps (their term)
  • Can do triggers and actions
  • Usually an integration into a learning system
  • Some pre-built integrations already exist for learning systems (in the Zapier platform), the list includes Talent LMS, SkillJar, Cypher Learning, Lessonly, Inquisq LMS, Knowledge Anywhere, eFront Pro
  • Pricing is unknown – always inquire. Future pre-built include Instructure, Udemy
  • Pre-built integration available for Watershed LRS and GO1

Bottom Line

I always recommend a deep integration, regardless if it is one of the offerings above, or a BI tool, or even a content aggregator like Biz Library, GO1 or Open Sesame.

Never assume that any 3rd party solution can go deep integration with your learning system, let alone integration.

I mean, I just assumed that Javalinas (notorious for knocking over trash cans and devouring what is inside), ate anything they saw.

I was wrong.

Some do not like lettuce. Others do.

Some will skip a prickly pear cactus that is right there for a snack.

Others will devour any piece they can reach.

That’s the thing about integrations and even Javalinas

Once you see them in action

You will be

Engaged.

Even Amazed.

E-Learning 24/7

5 Skills Employers Are Willing To Pay More For

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5 Skills Employers Are Willing To Pay More For

Upskilling of any kind is of value and will improve your employability and earning potential. However, certain skills are more in demand than others and if you’re adept at them you can command a higher salary for your services. Knowing which skills are highest on potential employers’ lists of desired skills gives you an edge over your competitors in the job market.

We’ve assembled a list of 6 skills that employers across a range of industries are willing to pay more for because they add value to their companies. By upskilling in these specific skills, you’ll be boosting your CV and drastically raising the salary you can earn for your abilities. If you’re looking to upskill in a way that maximises your earning potential then these are the courses for you!

 

1. SAP Skills

SAP is one of the most popular Enterprise Resource Planning tools on the market. Enterprise Resource Planning is an essential component to fueling business success in the online marketplace. Developing SAP skills will help you land a position at a company that utilises this software in their business.

 

 

2. Ruby on Rails

Ruby on Rails is used by global brands such as Airbnb, Twitter and Disney. It offers a robust set of tools that makes website customisation simple and intuitive. It’s also relatively easy to learn and maintain compared to other web frameworks.

 

 

3. Facebook Advertising

More than 2.8 billion people use Facebook every month. This means that mastering Facebook Advertising is key in order for brands to thrive on social media. However the advertising landscape changes so fast on Facebook that it can be exceptionally hard to keep up with it all, fuelling the demand for expert advertising professionals.

 

 

 

4. Tableau

These days our online activity generates 50 times more data than was the case a decade ago. With this increasing amount of data comes bigger difficulties in data analysis. As a result, businesses are always on the lookout for experts in easy-to-use data analysis tools like Tableau.

 

 

5. Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 dominates the Software as a Service market. From implementation and configuration to administration, maintenance and support, the demand for Microsoft 365 administrators and consultants is constantly on the rise.

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