Best online courses to land remote jobs with global companies

Adeolu Titus Adekunle

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I started freelance content writing as a medical student. Although writing came naturally to me, it wasn't enough to compete in a global job market, and my field of study didn’t make it any easier either. Taking courses in content marketing helped me identify my skill gaps and better position myself for global jobs.

One of the most important requirements for securing a good remote job is developing the necessary skills. And it doesn’t matter whether it comes naturally to you or you have acquired them without formal learning; recruiters expect a degree of structured training that confirms the skills you have attained. We have curated a list of some of the best online courses to land a remote job with global companies, depending on your field. But first, let’s consider why online courses are important.

Why do you need online courses to land remote jobs with global companies?

Here are some reasons online courses are essential when aiming for remote jobs with global companies.

Validates your skills: Foreign companies and clients need assurance that you have mastered the technical and soft skills required for the role.
Shows your personality: Completing a self-paced course demonstrates that you are proactive, organised, and accountable.
Demonstrates competence in certain tools: Some roles require specific tools, and completing courses on those tools can demonstrate your competence with those tools.
Helps you stand out: The competition out there is tough enough. A certification from a reputable online course separates you from the crowd.
Hones your skills: One way to improve your craft is by taking new and refresher courses to stay updated on industry trends and build on what you already know.
Contributes to your portfolio: Some courses might require you to collaborate with other students in real-time or complete individual projects, which might contribute to your portfolio, especially if you don’t have work experience.

What makes an online course good?

Here is a checklist of features to look out for before opting for any online course:

Reputation: Ensure the course is recognised by employers and industry bodies, and review quality ratings.
Learning outcomes: Ensure the curriculum aligns with your goals and addresses your skill gaps, whether you are just starting or looking to learn more.
Schedule: Check whether the course schedule fits your schedule, especially if there are live sessions.
Cost: Look for affordable courses with no hidden fees and ensure you get the right value for your investment. You can start off with free courses and work your way up.
Platform: Opt for courses with easy-to-navigate, mobile-friendly platforms
Support: Look for access to tutors, discussion forums, and technical help. Good courses encourage interaction.

Also read: How freelancers choose the right platform to work with

What are the best online courses to land remote jobs with global companies?

With these features in mind, below is a curated list of top online courses across key remote-friendly fields. These courses are widely respected, often include hands-on projects, and can significantly improve your chances of securing a remote role with international companies.

Google Project Management Professional Certificate (Coursera)

This is a 7-course series on Coursera with a LinkedIn shareable certificate rated 4.9/5 by over 120,000 reviewers. It is an entry-level programme designed to help you launch your project management career without a degree or prior experience.

Duration: About 6 months (if you spend 10 hours per week), though it is self-paced and can be completed faster.
Cost: Typically $49 per month via a Coursera subscription, which includes a 7-day free trial.
Structure: Consists of six courses covering the full project lifecycle, from foundations and initiation to agile methodologies and a final capstone project.

The scope of learning includes

Training in Agile, Scrum, and Waterfall frameworks.
Budget estimation, risk management, stakeholder communication, and project documentation (charters, RACI charts).
Hands-on practice with tools like Asana, Google Sheets, and MS Excel.
AI-integration in project planning and using generative AI (like Google Gemini) for productivity.

Not interested in project management? Google has many other great courses on Coursera, including cybersecurity, data analytics, digital marketing, and UX design, tailored to beginners.

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HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification

If you are in the content marketing space, the HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification is a free, widely recognised certification course for you. Inbound marketing strategy entails attracting customers through valuable content.

Cost: Free
Duration: Less than five hours
Structure: Nine lessons, 24 videos, seven quizzes, and one 60-question final exam

The scope of learning includes:

Inbound strategy
Content creation
Marketing automation
Distribution and analytics

Also read: Freelance platforms vs direct clients: which pays better?

Responsive Web Design (freeCodeCamp)

The Responsive Web Design Certification by freeCodeCamp is an entirely free resource for learning the basics of web development. Unlike video-based courses, it uses a hands-on, code-along learning approach. This allows you to work on projects you can include in your portfolio. The course covers HTML5, CSS3, Flexbox, CSS Grid, and responsive design principles.

Cost: Free (donations are optional).
Duration: Approximately 300 hours of content
Structure: To earn the certification, you must complete five mandatory projects.

The learning scope includes:

Using HTML and CSS to build the structure and visual style of websites from scratch.
Learning how to ensure websites are usable for everyone, including those using screen readers.
Implementing typography, color theory, and layout balance using the freeCodeCamp Curriculum.
Ensuring websites look great on everything from a 4-inch smartphone to a 32-inch desktop monitor.

Meta Front-End Developer Professional Certificate

This is offered by Coursera in partnership with Meta to help beginners find their feet in front-end development.

Duration: It takes about 7 months at 6 hours per week, though you can complete it faster.
Cost: $49 per month via a Coursera subscription, with a 7-day free trial.
Structure: 9 courses ranging from basic HTML/CSS to advanced React, UI/UX principles (using Figma), and technical interview preparation.

The course covers:

HTML5 and CSS3 for structure and styling.
Intermediate JavaScript, including ES6 syntax and asynchronous programming.
In-depth training in React (hooks, state management, and component architecture).
Version control with Git/GitHub, package management with NPM, and design hand-offs via Figma

Adobe Creative Cloud Masterclass (Udemy)

This is one of the best design crash courses out there, covering Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. It is a popular Udemy course suite designed to help you evolve from a design newbie to a proficient user of these tools. Most classes include downloadable exercise files and projects to help you build your portfolio.

Duration: Seven hours for videos, not including the time spent on projects.
Cost: Usually available at discounts for $13.99–$24.99, though the "original" prices can be listed as high as $139.99
Structure: Divided into five main sections with 40 lectures. You receive a certificate of completion from Udemy

Learning objectives include:

Photoshop: Photo editing, retouching, layers, and social media graphic creation.
Illustrator: Vector graphics, logo design, icons, and professional typography.
InDesign: Page layout for books, brochures, and digital publishing.
Adobe XD: User experience (UX) and mobile app interface design.

Also read: How to pay for online courses and certifications with Grey

How do you pay for online courses?

One common challenge for aspiring remote workers is the unavailability of payment options for international courses. Most platforms charge in USD, GBP, or EUR, and traditional banks often use poor exchange rates or have hidden fees. Many local cards also can’t process international transactions, resulting in payment declines.

Using a multi-currency account helps solve this problem. With Grey, you can hold and pay in foreign currencies, avoiding unnecessary conversions. Grey allows you to receive, keep, and spend USD, GBP, or EUR, and provides virtual cards that work seamlessly for online subscriptions and course payments. This means you can pay for courses at the real exchange rates and reduce your learning expenses. And when you land that gig, Grey is also available to receive payments from international clients.

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