Sunday, March 24, 2024
HomePopularWhere Should Education Go On A Resume

Where Should Education Go On A Resume

Where Does The Education Section Go

What Should You Include on a Resume?

Where among your resume sections you choose to put your education depends on where you are in your career. For instance, if youre a recent graduate with little to no experience, your education section is your best asset and should be put at the top of your resume .

On the other hand, if you have some professional experience, you should let that be the focus, opting to place your education section below Work Experience.

If youve recently gone back to school, you may want to put your education section at the very top. For example, veterans who went to school after transitioning out of the military are advised to put their education above their experience on a military-to-civilian resume.

However, if youve returned to school in preparation for a career change but are still looking to work in your current field, keep highlighting your past experience.

Ultimately, where you place your education section depends on how relevant your education is for the job position compared with the other experiences on your resume.;

Recommended Certifications On A Resume

Employers often use certifications as a resume filter to narrow the pool of applicants. Some certifications can give employers more confidence that a candidate has the right qualifications for the job. For example, the IT Profession has many certificates that prove proficiency in network engineering.

Employers sometimes even compile statistics and report on the number of employees with particular qualifications. Listing highly desired certificates is a very effective way to make your resume stand out. Especially if youâre an entry level candidate or student!

Recommended certificates can sometimes be found in the job description.

Not Recommended Items For Education In Resume

  • High school information if youve completed a university degree
  • GPA on resume, especially if it is too low
  • Graduation year or dates in school, especially if it is more than a decade in the past.

Here is how to list education on resume:

  • Start with your most recent academic experience.
  • Add the degree earned if you completed it.
  • Include the school name, city, and state.
  • List the program or major if the schooling is yet unfinished.
  • Add extras to make the education section soar, such as honors, awards, relevant coursework, and minors.
  • Use a second educational entry if the first one is unfinished.
  • Here is a no-frills basic sample of education listed on a resume:

    Don’t Miss: How To Word Customer Service On A Resume

    Is Your Resume Too Long

    Ideally, your resume should be limited to;one page. If you find that your resume content is spilling onto a second page, and you have trimmed all the information you can, consider removing the education section.

    Education is almost always addressed in the official job application, and this is where hiring managers look for the base requirements during the background check.

    How To List Education In Progress On A Resume

    How to Put Your Education on a Resume [Tips & Examples]

    There are two things you need to learn if you want to know how to list education in progress on your resume. The first is how to provide that information in a way that clearly conveys your education status to an employer. The second is where to place that information in the body of your resume. With respect to the how, there are a few different ways to convey these details. There are only a couple of basic rules to follow when you list these education details:

  • Be as clear as possible. You donât want to give the employer the wrong impression, after all. If you have completed one degree and are pursuing advanced education, be sure to clearly state that fact. If your degree is not yet complete, be clear about that as well.

  • Be honest. If you are in the process of withdrawing from school, donât list that educational program. Donât try to enhance your education section in any way. Just state the facts in an honest way.

  • Feel free to include in-progress university degrees, as well as online degrees that you may be pursuing. Both are popular in 2021.

  • Don’t Miss: How To List Gpa On Resume

    What Employers Look For In An Education Section

    Employers can gather a variety of information about a job candidate from an education section, including:

    • A job applicantâs work ethic, reflected through GPAs or other grade-related information
    • Relevant skills or training an applicant has received through their schooling
    • Name recognition of specific universities, such as ivy leagues, that may give a candidate a leg up on the competition
    • Insight into a candidateâs interests or talents based on academic-related extracurricular activities includedÂ;

    Understanding what employers are looking for in an education section included on a resume is key to understand how much or how little information to include.

    What an employer is looking for will vary depending on the nature of the job being offered.Â;

    For instance, an entry-level communications job at a corporation is likely to require a bachelorâs degree in communications or a related field.

    Comparatively, a job in the welding industry may require the completion of a trade school program but not require a four-year degree.Â;

    It is of the utmost importance when you are applying to various jobs that you read the job descriptions provided carefully, as this is where you will find the necessary information regarding what educational credentials are required of eligible candidates.

    This will also help you to tailor your education section according to what credentials or qualifications you have that meet the requirements of the job.Â;

    Should I Put Awards On My Resume

    Should I include awards on my resume? The simple answer is yes, if you have the space on your resume and the achievements are relevant to your professional profile and the job offer, then it is perfectly acceptable and often recommended to list your accomplishments, including any awards and honors, on your resume.

    Read Also: How To Build A Acting Resume With No Experience

    List Of Relevant Skills Tools And Certifications

    Your skills section should include relevant technical or hard skills and soft skills. You can include any tools youve mastered or certifications youve obtained as well.

    The skills you include should be relevant to the job that interests you. For example, you may have excellent hard skills in different areas, but all of those skills may not be applicable to the job. If you are a skilled violinist, that may not be a good skill to put on your resume when applying for a job in construction.

    You can learn what skills potential employers are looking for by reading the job description. As you read through job posts, write down keywords that match your skills and include them in your skills section as appropriate.

    Your skills section might look something like this:

    *Technical skills: Welding Electrical Systems Modern safety equipment Knowledge of major OSHA safety regulations OSHA Certification SMAW Welding Tools*

    *Additional skills: Willingness to learn Attentive Organized Effective communicator Safety-conscious*

    Related: The Best Job Skills to Make Your Resume Stand Out

    You Recently Graduated From College

    Should I include references on my resume?

    Once you graduate from college and start searching for your first entry-level position, it’s assumed that you’ll remove any information that refers to your high school activities and focus on your new undergrad degree.

    If you’re new to the workforce and your new degree is your best selling point, the Education section should appear toward the top of your resume. This is because you most likely have limited professional experience and your education is the core competency that you wish to highlight for an employer. After you have a few years of relevant experience under your belt, the education section gets shifted to the bottom of your resume, and your work history will get pushed farther up on the page.

    Also Check: How To Make A Cover Page For A Resume

    Multiple Degrees Or Certifications On A Resume

    Some people have earned multiple degrees or certifications over their careers, leading to an education section that takes up valuable page real estate. If your education section is too long or confusing, you’ll fail the 6-second resume test.

    No hiring manager is going to dig through your education section to see if you have the specific degree or certification they’re looking for. If you have multiple degrees, only list the one most relevant to the position or industry you’re targeting.

    Certifications In A Minor Section On Your Resume

    Do you need more space on your resume, like people with a lot of work experience? Another resume format that works great is a a small dedicated certificates section. This smart resume space-saving tactic is especially effective when the section is placed in the smaller column of a 2-column resume template.

    Putting certifications in a side section is highly recommended for certificates that youâve classified as optional. Or if you can fill major space on your resume with relevant experiences.

    This data analyst resume example shows how strategic placement of a small dedicated Certifications section creates more room for the experience section.

    Recommended Reading: How To Put Salary On Resume

    High School Education On A Resume

    You don’t need to include high school education on your resume. If you have any education beyond high school, the degree is implied and including it would be redundant. Even if your highest degree is high school, you should still leave it off.

    Only listing a high school diploma will make you look both young and underqualified for a job. Instead, you can list in-progress or incomplete degrees. You can otherwise supplement your education section with relevant training or certifications.

    If neither of those situations apply to you, you can omit the education section altogether. Some of the most successful people in the world don’t have a college degree, so don’t let it discourage you from succeeding!

    How To List Education On A Resume

    Functional Resume Format: Is it Right for You? (Templates ...

    Education is one of a few key sections employers look for on resumes. This information will inform interviewers of your background, which can be a helpful way to understand more about your fit for the role. If your education is particularly relevant to the position or includes any credentials that are required for the job, this section may quickly set you apart from other candidates.

    1. Name and contact information2. Summary or objectivec. Description of role and achievement4. Education5. Skills6. Optional

    You have several options when it comes to choosing where and how you list education on your resume. You can identify the best place to put your education on your resume by carefully reading job descriptions. This will often help you understand whether certain levels of education are essential, nice-to-have or unnecessary for each role.

    Read more: 6 Universal Rules for Resume Writing

    Don’t Miss: What To Put On Resume For Experience

    Where To Position Education On Your Resume

    So, should your education or experience come first in your resume?

    Think of it this way:

    The top third of the resume is reserved for your accomplishments that are most relevant to the job you are applying for.

    So before you continue, ask yourself: Is your education your most relevant accomplishment?

    The answer most of the time will be no. Work experience will be a more important requirement for just about any position above entry-level.

    However, education can take priority in some particular cases.

    Education comes first if youve just graduated from college and dont have relevant work experience to list. Imagine you are an employer and the first thing you see in someones resume when theyre applying for an entry-level marketing associate position is their summer job as a bodyguard at their local town pool.;

    Its also wise to list education before work experience if youve recently gotten back to school to get a degree thats relevant to your potential job.

    For example, if youre switching to a career in sustainable energy after having finished a related program, but have work experience predominantly in engineering, you would want your new education to be the first thing the hiring manager sees.

    Getting a fresh MSc, Ph.D., or MBA is another case where you would want to highlight those degrees more than the work experience.;

    Not sure if you need a CV or a resume? Check out our guide on CV vs Resume and learn whats the difference between the two .;

    Where Should Education Go On A Resume

    An employment history that doesnt reach back very far is a clear a sign of inexperience. While people have different education backgrounds, employers expect that education on a resume be formatted in a readable way.

    Creative Locksmith Resume Example Resume template

    Also Check: How To Write Accounting Experience In Resume

    The Certification Is Credible

    Ideally, the certificate is obtained by a credible institution that the employer would recognize. The more credible the certificate issuer, the more valuable the earned certificate.

    Example of Credible certifications for a software engineering candidate

    Incorrect â Certification in Algorithms & Data Structures by Random YouTube Channel”

    Correct â Certification in Algorithms & Data Structures by Harvard University”

    Where To Place Your Education Section

    Should I put references on my resume?

    Either before or after your work experience section. It depends on your resume format and where you are in your career.

    As with the rest of your resume, the rule of thumb is: always put the most important information first.

    Are you a student or fresh graduate? Then remember: your education is still one of your biggest strengths. Naturally, you should play to your strengths and put your education section in a place where recruiters can immediately see it.

    Place it near to the top of your resume; just below your resume objective/profile section.

    Are you an experienced professional? Then you can place your education section anywhere on the page .

    Just remember: you should always put the most important information first. At this point in your life, your education isnt nearly as important as it used to be. Because of that, it should probably find its place near the bottom of your resume.

    Read Also: Should You Include Your Address On Your Resume

    Additional Relevant Accomplishments And Volunteer Work

    The last section to consider adding to your resume is a shortlist of any other relevant accomplishments or volunteer work. Only include those that are relevant or that may help create a better picture of who you are as an individual as related to the position youre applying for. If youre not sure what information may be a fit for this section, re-read the job descriptions that interest you. Consider if you have any experiences outside of the professional history you already added which may help employers understand your qualifications.

    Here is an example of what your accomplishments and volunteer work section could look like:

    Volunteer firefighter, 20102012

    Where To Place Your Resume Education Section

    The best placement depends on what employers would value more: your experience or education. Theres no set rule for where to put it, but here are a few guidelines.

    Place experience before education if:

    • You have several years of experience related to your goal. Hiring managers will likely be more interested in your work-related accomplishments than your education.

    Place experience after education if:

    • Youre an upcoming or recent graduate or have a couple of years of work history.
    • Youre changing careers and continued your education to support your new goal.
    • Youre in an academic or scientific professioneducation is usually listed near the top of CVs.

    Read Also: How To Add Internship To Resume

    Resume Education Section Examples

    No matter which school you attended or degree you received, one of the following eight resume education section examples should be able to point you in the right direction when updating your resume.

    • Bachelor of Applied Sciences , International Business, 2013Illinois State University, Bloomington, IL
    • Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business, 2010-2014Bachelor of Arts, Accounting/Finance
    • Miami University, Coral Gables, FLBachelor of Arts Social Psychology, 2013
    • Doctor of Pharmacy , Magna Cum Laude, 2015Butler University, Indianapolis, IN
    • Bachelor of Engineering, Civil & Environmental Engineering, 2009Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
    • University of Cattolica, Milan, ItalyBachelors Degree, Marketing and Finance, 2011
    • Purdue University, West Lafayette, INBachelors Degree, Hospitality Tourism Management, 2012Activities: Intercollegiate Quidditch Association

    Certifications In Contact Info On Your Resume

    How Far Back Should A Resume Go For Education

    The contact info section on your resume is the best place to put required certifications. This section is also the best place to include official credentials. Itâs common practice for lawyers, doctors, dentists, accountants and others to include their credentials next to their name. See how thatâs done in this nurse resume example:

    Don’t Miss: How Many Pages Should A Resume Be 2020

    What To Include In The Education Section Of A Resume

    Use your education to show that you have the knowledge to land the job.

    Your education is an essential detail to include on your resume, as it indicates that you are trained in your field. Even if your formal education is not directly related to your current career path , it is still worthwhile to show that you succeeded in a high-level learning environment.

    As with much of resume writing, the content and format of your resume Education section is fluid and will depend on where you are in your career. Still, it’s important that you get it right to prove you’re qualified for the job you want.

    Here, we break down what to include in the Education section of a resume, and how to do it.

    Education For A College Student With No Work Experience

    If you are a college student with no work experience, build your education section with your best academic achievements. Include relevant coursework, extracurricular activities, degree, awards and honors, expected graduation date and GPA where applicable.

    You can also mention any college experience that applies to the role. Mention the experiences and skills you gained from your coursework or research and how they apply to the role.

    Example of the education section for a college student with no work experience:

    Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana

    GPA: 3.65/4.0

    Relevant Coursework: Experimental Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Social Psychology

    Expected Graduation: September 2019

    Awards: Deans List, Autumn 2017

    Extracurricular Activities: Assistant Editor of the Purdue Psychology Digest

    The best way to make your education section stand out is to keep it honest and relevant. Mention only academic achievements that boost your chances of getting hired. Be strategic and put your credentials where they will attract the hiring managers attention.

    Don’t Miss: When Will Disney Cruises Resume

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular