The holidays are here (are they?)—time to rest, recharge, and maybe sip some mulled wine. But if you’re job hunting in Hong Kong, you might be wondering, "How can I use this downtime without burning out?" The answer? Light, fun, and productive learning that doesn’t feel like work.
Here’s a list of online courses, podcasts, and books tailored for foreigners living in Hong Kong, looking for their next big break. These resources will help you skill up, feel inspired, and step into 2025 ready to crush your career goals—all while you’re curled up on the couch or between holiday parties. 🥳
Of course, choose the resource that is more relevant for you and don’t feel you have to complete it entirely, just focus on what is valuable for you!
Online Courses to Learn Something Cool
Be careful: some platforms may apply fees, require a premium subscription, or charge for course completion and certification. Always check the pricing details before enrolling to avoid surprises!
On LinkedIn learning:
LinkedIn Welcome - Job Search Strategies Video Tutorial | LinkedIn Learning, formerly Lynda.com
- Rating: 4.6/5
- Duration: 37 min
- Description: Comprehensive strategies for an effective job search in today’s market.
- Rating: 4.8/5
- Duration: 35 min
- Description: Perfect for overcoming common follow-up challenges after job applications.
- Rating: 4.8/5
- Duration: 35 min
- Description: Learn how to make recruiters notice you by tailoring your profile and communication.
- Rating: 4.8/5
- Duration: 26 min
- Description: Focused on cracking ATS filters to ensure your resume reaches recruiters.
- Rating: 4.6/5
- Duration: 26 min
- Description: Teaches techniques to find unadvertised job opportunities.
On Coursera:
Coursera Utilize LinkedIn for Career Search- Rating: 4.6/5
- Duration: 2h
- Description: A quick guide to leveraging LinkedIn effectively for job hunting.
- Coursera Job Success: Get Hired or Promoted in 3 Steps
- Rating: 4.5/5
- Duration: 4h
- Description: Comprehensive job search course covering resumes, networking, and interviews.
- Coursera Accomplishment STAR Techniques for Job Interviews
- Rating: 4.7/5
- Duration: 1h
- Description: Short and actionable course on how to use the STAR method to ace interviews.
On Udemy:
Udemy The Ultimate Course To Get Your Dream Job in 2024- Rating: 5/5
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Description: Premium course on building a winning strategy for competitive job markets.
- Udemy Coping and Moving Forward After Layoff at Your Organisation
- Rating: 4.9/5
- Duration: 5h
- Description: A thoughtful course for professionals navigating career transitions after layoffs.
- Udemy From Home to Hired Master The Art of Job Search, Job Hunting
- Rating: 4.8/5
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Description: Focused on practical tips to find a remote or hybrid job.
Podcasts That Don’t Feel Like Homework
- "The Job Hunting Podcast" by Renata Bernarde
- "The Career Warrior Podcast"
- "The New Work Podcast"
- "How I Built This" by Guy Raz
- "The WorkLife Podcast" by Adam Grant
Time needed: ~30 minutes per episode.
Straight talk on navigating competitive job markets. Perfect for those “What do I do now?!” moments.
Time needed: ~25 minutes per episode.
Resume tips, interview pep talks, and motivation for when you’re feeling stuck. Think of it as your personal job coach on the go.
Time needed: ~40 minutes per episode.
Explore the latest work trends and learn how to stay ahead of the game. (Spoiler: It’s not just about showing up on time.)
Time needed: ~1 hour per episode.
Feel inspired by stories of grit and success from people who built empires. Bonus: It’s great storytelling.
Time needed: ~30 minutes per episode.
What makes work fulfilling? How can you network without the ick? Adam Grant has the answers.`
Books You’ll Actually Enjoy Reading
- "What Color Is Your Parachute? 2024" by Richard N. Bolles
- "Never Split the Difference" by Chris Voss
- "The 2-Hour Job Search" by Steve Dalton
- "Atomic Habits" by James Clear
- "Quiet" by Susan Cain
Time needed: ~6-8 hours (read at your own pace).
It’s a classic for a reason—packed with tips for today’s job search and tomorrow’s career dreams.
Time needed: ~8 hours.
Learn how to negotiate like a boss (literally). This book will make salary talks a breeze.
Time needed: ~2-3 hours.
Job hunting but make it efficient. This book is all about cutting the fluff and getting results.
Time needed: ~6-7 hours.
Build tiny habits that lead to big wins, like finally sending that follow-up email.
Time needed: ~8 hours.
Introverted? Good news: You don’t have to become an extrovert to network like a pro.
Why These Resources Are Perfect for the Holidays
- Short & Sweet: None of these will take over your holiday relaxation time. (You deserve a break!)
- Fun & Low-Stress: Podcasts you can listen to on a hike, books that won’t put you to sleep, and courses you can pause anytime.
- Actually Useful: Whether it’s beating ATS systems or leveling up your LinkedIn game, these resources are designed to solve real challenges.
How to Use Them Without Overloading Yourself
- Pick one or two resources to explore. This isn’t a competition—keep it light.
- Set a goal, not a deadline. Example: “I’ll finish the Google course by January” or “I’ll listen to two podcasts this week.”
- Mix learning with relaxing. Grab a hot drink, put on a cozy playlist, and treat this as “you time.”
So go ahead, enjoy the holidays and sneak in a little growth—because 2025 is calling, and it’s going to be YOUR year. 🌟
Don’t hesitate to share you own resources 👇