Massive open online courses (MOOCs) are being undertaken by hundreds of thousands of participants globally. Reasons for taking these courses vary, such as improving employment prospects, especially in the technology sector, though the impact of these certificates has not been established. Factors identified as barriers to the acceptance of these certifications include user verification issues and a lack of familiarity of MOOC content. There are positive signs in employers recommending MOOCs for training purposes and a major MOOC platform collaborating with companies to provide a work placement scheme. The discussion regarding the value of traditional and online education also applies, as employers are seeking candidates who are technically skilled and ready for work, which is not guaranteed by a traditional degree certificate. This review provides a baseline collation of current opinion and research. Independent qualitative research and further literature review should be conducted to build an evidence base regarding the use of MOOCs and their certificates.