Are there relevant, useful, free, online programs or courses that one could pursue to add value to his/her resume?

Yes there are a ton of online programs you can pursue. Check out alisson.com, edx ,MIT online platform, Coursera, Lynda; the list is endless. However I want to talk about how you can effectively pull off adding online courses taken to your resume to show the quality you will be to them. Adding relevant online courses completed can really help you stand out. It’s unique and a source of great conversations at the interview, so be prepared to answer questions. some you should expect to be asked: What motivated you to enroll in these courses and how is it relevant to furthering your education? What knowledge did you gain from the course(s)? What can you do now that you couldn’t do before taking the course(s)? It show your strength of character Undertaking an online course not only helps you develop relevant important skill sets, but it also shows good character. Starting and completing an online course, in and of itself, requires commitment and dedication. It demonstrates personal drive and discipline, mental maturity, and willingness to learn: all of which are important to your potential employers. They want to see that you’re willing to go the extra mile, because that indicates passion, and passion indicates value; taking an online course is going the extra mile. Please!! including online courses on resume only applies if you’ve actually completed the course and can talk about what you learned and how it’s relevant to the position. Don't add completed online course in Applied Physics on a resume to be submitted for a software development and coding role.