resume examples of education section

How to List Education on a Resume in 2024 (With Examples & Tips)

Not sure what degree to list? If you should include a GPA? It just so happens that there's a variety of ways to effectively list your eduction.

The education section of a resume may not always be the star of the document but knowing how to properly list your education can be essential for advancing into the next phase of the hiring process.

In this guide, we will cover all the ins and outs of crafting an education section for your resume. 

We'll cover the following:

• What to Include in an Education Section?

Tips for Listing Degrees (College, High-School, GED)

Listing incomplete education.

• Where to Include Education on a Resume?

What Employers Look for in an Education Section

Beautiful resume templates to land your dream job.

What to Include in an Education Section

As we've covered, different formats of resumes may require different information to be included within an education section.

In general, there is some basic information that should be included within the education section of a resume:

• The name of the school — "e.g. Georgia Institute of Technology"
• The location of the school
• Your degree ( high-school diploma, GED, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, etc. )
• Graduation year ( if applicable )
• Major field or department of study (if applicable )
• Minor field or department of study (if applicable and relevant )
• GPA ( If you're a student or graduates who held lower GPAs, this bit of information may be good to omit unless specifically requested by the employer )

Here's what that looks like for and university grad:

Georgia Institute of Technology • Atlanta, GA B.S. in Computer Engineering, 2006 - 2010 GPA: 3.9/4.0

For high-school students, you can do something like the following:

Georgia Institute of Technology • Atlanta, GA High School Diploma, Graduated in 2010 GPA: 3.9/4.0

Remember, including a GPA  is optional. Only add it if it's required by the job listing or it's relatively high. If your GPA is low (under 3.5), it's better to just leave it out.

Listing Education with Limited Work Experience

In resumes that have limited or no work experience , as may be the case with college students or recent graduates, the education section may be a good opportunity to show off educational achievements instead.

Additional information that can be included in longer education sections can include:

• Internships completed as part of a curriculum 
• Academic awards or sponsorships
• Relevant coursework
• Academic assistantships with professors or other academic professionals

As covered, in documents such as CVs the education section could be fairly lengthy.

However, the education section for most resumes will be one of the shortest sections.

This is mostly because standard resumes will be used for entry-level or mid-level positions, while longer-form resumes like the CV will only come into play for more prestigious or hard to obtain positions. 

It is much more important to show either a robust work history or detail relevant and transferable skills, using your education as support rather than the main point of interest. 

Here are some quick tips for deciding what educational information to include in a resume:

1) When including professional hobbies and extra curricular activities, it is important to keep relevance in mind

Incorrect: Do not include information about sports clubs or other clubs that cannot be connected back to your qualifications for a job.

Correct: If you held leadership positions in clubs or other extra-curricular activities, this can be useful information to include to highlight non-paid leadership or management experience.

Keep your descriptions simple and concise

Incorrect: Including long-winded and wordy paragraphs explaining the relevance of a certain piece of information. If a piece of information is relevant, it should be easily explained in one, simple sentence.

Correct: Use bullet points to separate bits of information to keep your resume easy to read or skim.

The readability of a resume can be the defining factor of whether or not a job recruiter or potential employer moves the candidate into the next phase of the hiring process.

As such, using clear and concise wording and formatting is essential for not just the education section, but for all sections. 

Here are a few tips for different formatting options depending on the level and type of education you have completed.

1) Adding High School and GED on Resume

• If your highest level of education is a high school diploma or a GED, this should still be included as there are many jobs that are open to high school graduates as well as college graduates.
• Generally, this type of education section should be kept short and sweet. Listing that you have received either a diploma or a GED should be sufficient.
• If you have recently graduated high school or received your GED, including additional high school-related achievements may be beneficial (such as leadership positions, honor roll awards, athletics, etc.)

2) Adding Associate’s and Bachelor’s Degrees on Resume

• When listing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree on a resume, always include the name and location of the institution, as well as the date or expected date of graduation.
• While the education section should still be kept short, inclusion of any collegiate level academic achievements, such as honor societies or dean’s lists, can be useful to include.
• Don’t go too crazy including coursework of extracurricular information – stick to including the most relevant information. 

3) Adding Graduate School or Doctoral Programs on Resume

• Graduate and doctoral students may feel inclined to always include this information; however, it is important to be wary of including too much academic information in scenarios where it may render you overqualified for the position.
• Graduate and doctoral information is more likely to come into play for candidates seeking higher level positions at the management level. 
• For candidates seeking jobs in academic or scientific fields, a CV-style resume and longer-form education section providing higher level of details regarding graduate or doctoral programs may be necessary.

4) Adding Certifications on Resume

• In some cases, a candidate may not have attended college but may have completed a trade school or other program that resulted in various certifications. These certifications should be included when relevant.
• Certifications such as CPR or First Aid can be useful to include in most resumes, although they should perhaps be saved for a separate certifications section .

5) Listing Incomplete Education on Resume

Incomplete education can be tricky to include in a way that sounds positive — as such, if you have incomplete education, be wary of your wording and avoid words such as “incomplete” or “unfinished.” Instead try to do the following:

• Include relevant coursework or credits earned during your duration of education before the point of departure from the institution.
• Omit any wordy or lengthy explanations of why the education is incomplete. 

However, we've seen this be a common problem that many candidates have. Continue reading below to see how to effectively list education that is left incomplete. ‍

In some cases, a job applicant may have a partially-complete or incomplete educational credential they want to list on their resume.

Incomplete education can result from a variety of circumstances, including:

• A person who is still in the process of earning their diploma, GED, or degree, but has not yet earned the credential or graduated.
• A person who started a degree and completed relevant coursework, but ultimately did not finish the degree program.
• A person who chose a different career path than what they studied for, but still has relevant coursework for the new career path.

When listing incomplete education on a resume, it is important to stay highly mindful of how you are wording your limited educational credentials — as words such as “ unfinished ” or “ incomplete ” are not ideal to include within a resume. 

Here are some quick examples on how to properly list incomplete education in the education section of a resume:

For applicants who are in the process of completing a degree, it is important to note the expected timeframe of completion.

Incorrect: ‍ B.S. in Communications University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC Not yet complete

Correct: B.S. in Communications University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC Expected graduation May 2021

For applicants who began a degree, but ultimately did not complete the degree, it is key to be mindful of how you frame the education you did receive. 

Incorrect: University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC

Why is this incorrect? Sure, this example indicates you, at some point, attended a university.

However, it provides no insight as to what relevant coursework or studies you may have completed.

Here's the correct way to describe your educational experience instead:

Correct: University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC Completed 20 credits towards a BS in Communications

Alternatively: This could be a good opportunity to include a bulleted list of relevant coursework.

For applicants who did not complete high school, it is important to note if you either earned a GED or are in the process of earning a GED.

Incorrect: ‍ Watauga County High School Boone, NC Incomplete

Correct: General Educational Development Diploma Earned May 2021 — OR — Expected to earn May 2021

Generally speaking, the majority of jobs will require applicants to have earned at minimum a GED certification in order to qualify.

In some cases, an applicant may lack a degree but may be certified by a trade school.

For instance, a beautician would want to include any beauty and health related certifications or licenses earned under the education section. 

Take a look at this resume example of a college student below to see how to do this.

Where to Include Education on a Resume

When it comes to placing your educational credentials on a resume, there are many considerations to make.

Resumes can serve a variety of purposes and, as a general rule of thumb, should be tailored for specific jobs . 

It is also important to take into consideration the level of education you have completed, as this will impact how it should be presented as well.

For instance, a job applicant seeking a position in academia would have a much heavier emphasis on education and academic-related achievements — than someone seeking a job in a corporate environment.

Ultimately, not all resumes are the same, so the placement of the education section will differ depending on the type of resume being used and the intention behind its structuring. 

Choosing the right resume format

There are several different types of resume formats to choose from, but the main ones that are used are as follows:

1) Reverse-Chronological

‍ Emphasis is placed on the most relevant work experience, listing jobs from most recent to oldest. Education can be placed before or after the work experience section. However higher degrees that qualify a candidate for the position may be beneficial to mention sooner rather than later. 

2) Functional

‍ Functional resumes place a much heavier emphasis on skillsets and areas of expertise. This format of resume is typically used by job applicants lacking the relevant work experience or educational credentials. In this format, the education section may lead if the applicant has educational credentials but limited work experience but should follow after the skills section if education is limited. 

‍ Hybrid resumes combine the reverse-chronological work experience ordering with the emphasizing of skills. This can help to supplement resumes of applicants who may have some relevant work experience but still need to beef up their resumes with a skills section . The placement of the education section will depend on how applicable or high level the credentials are and should generally be kept brief. 

4) Curriculum Vitae (CV)

‍ CVs are a type of long-form and multi-page resume used most commonly by applicants seeking positions in either academic or scientific fields. In a CV, the education section will be a prominent component and should appear early in the document. This type of education section should include all credentials, published works, projects, awards, or other academic achievements — no details should be spared. 

The below example of a Physician Assistant's resume is listing education in the bottom-right corner as it's using a reverse-chronological resume format to shine on it's work history.

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

• A job applicant’s 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 candidate’s interests or talents based on academic-related extracurricular activities included 

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. 

For instance, an entry-level communications job at a corporation is likely to require a bachelor’s 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. 

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. 

In general, what an employer is mostly looking for is simply that an education section exists on a resume.

The majority of employers will want candidates who have shown a commitment to their education, reflected through the inclusion of an education section.

For candidates lacking a completed education, it is still considered best practice to include some information regarding what level of education was reached before the point of incompletion, as well as the inclusion of any relevant coursework and knowledge gained from the time the candidate spent pursuing further education. 

Here is a quick rundown of a few key factors to consider for applicants who may be unsure how much information to provide in an education section for a specific employer or position:

• The education section should prove that you have the credentials necessary to complete the job at hand.
• Oversharing of education can be detrimental in some situations, as overqualified candidates may not be considered by employers.
• Job descriptions will always be the best place to look for indicators regarding how much educational background information an employer is looking for.
• Never lie or over-exaggerate — while not all employers double-check applicants’ educational histories, many still do, and dishonesty can cost you the position in the long run.

Final Thoughts

Unless you are crafting a longer-form resume, such as a CV, the education section will generally be a fairly short summary of your academic credentials and achievements.

Education sections can be longer in some cases where job applicants may have hefty academic backgrounds but limited work experience.

Ultimately, the key to making a strong education section is to include only the most relevant information.

Always avoid deceptive wording, as employers can fairly easily run academic background checks if need be. 

Check out our resume templates to get your creativity flowing and get started on your ideal resume today. 

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What to Include in Your Education Section

The education section on a resume gives hiring managers a glimpse into your academic achievements , interests, and skills.

It can demonstrate your commitment to learning, your ability to succeed in a structured environment, and the relevant knowledge you've acquired.

The information you should include in this section, though, varies based on things like your career level, the exact job you're applying for, and how recent your education is.

This means you don’t always have to be super detailed. Some of the information about your education is optional, and some of it may even be redundant if you have relevant work experience, so you should only use it if you think it can give your resume a boost.

Let’s start with the details most employers expect to see:

Essential Information

• Degree Name. Include the type of degree and the relevant major. (E.g.: BFA in Graphic Design)
• University Name. Add the name of the institution you studied at. (E.g.: University of Saint Andrews)
• Location. If the university isn’t well known or the name doesn’t specify where it is, include the general location. (E.g.: St Andrews, Scotland)
• Years Attended. Usually, only the years you attend there are enough, but the mm/yyyy format is also popular. (E.g.: 09/2018 - 06/2021)

Optional Information

• Honors and Awards. If you’ve received any acknowledgments, list them here. (E.g.: Dean's List, Summa Cum Laude, Merit Scholarships, Valedictorian)
• Relevant Coursework. List three to five courses that directly apply to your target job. (E.g.: Marketing 101, Marketing Strategy, PR Basics)
• Thesis or Dissertation. We recommend including this for graduate-level degrees in research-heavy fields.
• Minor. If relevant, include any additional areas of study. (E.g.: BA in Creative Writing, Minor in Journalism)
• Grade Point Average. Only include your GPA if it's 3.5 or above on a 4.0 scale. Anything lower can undermine your application.
• Extracurricular Activities. Mention any clubs or organizations that seem relevant. (E.g.: Debate team, Theater Club, School Newspaper)

Here’s an example of an education section that includes information from both categories:

Getting ready to find a job? Start by learning how to write a resume with our detailed guide!

How to Format Education on Your Resume

Now that you have an idea of what to include in your education section, let’s explain how you should do it.

In terms of structuring your education section, follow a reverse-chronological order ; this means, list your latest educational entry first and then go backward from there.

And remember – if you have a relevant university degree, there’s no need to waste precious space on your resume by listing your high school education .

As a general rule, if you’re an experienced professional and you have a Master’s degree, you can also omit your undergrad degree. Hiring managers are a lot more interested in your work experience section, so your education section should only focus on the basics.

However, if you’re a recent graduate , you might want to include more details to give your resume an extra kick. It’s always a good idea to leverage your education if you don’t have enough relevant work experience.

Now, regardless of your level of experience, add the name of your degree at the very top of the entry in your education section.

The same degree can be written down differently, for instance:

• Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Culture with a Minor in Teaching
• BA in English Language and Culture, Minor in Teaching
• B.A. English Language and Culture (Major), Teaching (Minor)
• BA, English Language and Culture

Here’s an example of what the formatting in your education section should look like:

If you graduated from a famous university with a good reputation, you can highlight that first. For example, list “Harvard University” before the name of your degree.

Where to Place Education on Your Resume

Another important thing to consider is where to position the education section on your resume.

This mostly depends on where you are in your career. Do you have a lot of relevant achievements in the field, or are you looking for your first job ?

As a rule of thumb, the top third of your resume should be reserved for your accomplishments , which are most relevant to the job you are applying for.

So before you place this section on your resume, ask yourself: is your education your biggest selling point to the hiring manager?

Most of the time, it won’t be. Work experience is way more important for just about any position above entry level, so it should be listed first.

Let’s look at an example of a resume that puts this into action:

As you can see, this architect resume starts by listing their relevant work experience and then includes a detailed entry of their most recent degree.

When Does Education Go Before Work Experience?

While your work experience section is generally more important, there are a few cases where you should list your education first.

These include:

• You have no work experience. When you have absolutely no work experience yet, you should focus on your academic achievements instead.
• You just graduated college. If you don’t have relevant work experience, you’re often better off not listing it. For example, if you’re applying for an entry-level office job, the part-time teenage jobs you had won’t be anywhere near as relevant as your recently earned BA in Marketing.
• You are currently studying. If you’re in the process of earning a degree that’s relevant to your targeted field, it’s better to list education before work experience. For example, if you’re making a career change , you would want your new education to be the first thing the hiring manager sees.
• You recently earned a new degree. Getting a fresh MSc, Ph.D., or MBA in your field is worth showing off. For example, if you’ve been a line manager for years but earned an MBA to qualify for an executive position, your education section should go first.
• You are applying to academia. Usually, when applying for a research or teaching position in academia, you’ll need an academic CV , not a resume. In that case, your education will always come first.

Not sure if you need a CV or a resume ? Check out our guide to learn what the difference between the two is and when to use which.

Use a (Free) Resume Template

Creating a resume can be a hassle.

You have to find a template that works with your favorite text editor, set the page margins, adjust the line spacing, choose a professional font , and all while making sure you never go past page one.

What if there was an easier way?

This is where our resume builder comes in!

Novoresume lets you choose from 16 professional resume templates , each crafted with feedback from HR professionals around the world, and create the perfect resume in minutes.

Just look at how one of our resume templates compares to a basic text editor resume template:

16 Examples of Education on a Resume

Looking for inspiration?

We’ve compiled a list filled with real-life examples of how education can be listed on a resume, with practical examples for different types and levels of education:

#1. High School Education

If you’re a high school student, you might have some volunteer experience or extracurriculars you can show off. In that case, you can start by listing those sections, so long as they’re relevant to the job you’re applying for.

For example, if you volunteered with your local branch of the Red Cross, that’s a good experience to have when you’re applying to work at a shelter.

In most other cases, the education section would take the upper hand, and it would look something like this:

High School Diploma

Chapel Hill High School

2017 - 2021

• Courses: AP Science, Mathematics, Advanced Chemistry

If you’re still in high school, you can disclose it in your resume by writing down your expected graduation year or otherwise specifying that you’re currently still there.

2021 - Present

#2. General Education Development

If you were homeschooled or haven’t graduated high school, the previous example won’t apply to you.

But if you still received a General Education Development certificate, you can mention that in your resume in the following way:

GED Diploma

Durham Literacy Center

Just like with high school education, you can include the location of your school or GED center, as well as any relevant courses, if you have enough space.

#3. Associate Degree

If you went to a community college or opted for a vocational program, you can list it in your education section the same as any other undergraduate degree.

Associate degrees are typically cheaper and take less time than a bachelor’s degree. They tend to be focused on specific occupations and place more emphasis on daily job functions. Other than that, they follow the same formatting as any other educational entry.

Let’s look at some real-life examples of different types of degrees at this level.

First, an Associate of Arts degree:

AA in Business Designation

Community College of Denver

2015 - 2016

Summa Cum Laude

Next, here’s how you would list an ongoing Associate’s of Applied Science degree:

AAS in Medical Assisting

2018 - Present

Some associate degrees are what’s known as “transfer degrees.” Here, the long-term goal is to transfer into a bachelor’s degree program.

Similarly, if you’ve completed accredited courses at a community college that can go towards a degree, you can list them under your education section, like this:

Medical Assisting Certificate

• 30 credits completed

#4. Certificates

Certificates can be included on your resume, either as part of the education section or in a dedicated section.

Unlike broad academic degrees, certificates can show specialized expertise and commitment to professional development. They tend to demonstrate more focused, essential skills that are directly applicable to a particular job or industry.

Treat these entries the same as any other: list the name of the certificate, the institution or organization that issued it, and the year you obtained it.

Here’s an example of how to list a professional certificate in an education section:

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

American Institute of CPAs

And here’s how they would look in a separate section:

CERTIFICATES

• Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) - National Academy of Sports Medicine, 2020
• Certified Nutrition Coach - American Nutrition Association, 2023

But there are also other certificates you could list , such as after specialized software courses:

• Maya Autodesk: Advanced 3D & Animation Udemy, 2022
• Creation of Pixel Art Scenes for Video Games Domestika, 2023

#5. Undergraduate Degree

There are different ways to list a bachelor’s degree.

Let’s take a look at three different cases for a candidate with an engineering degree.

First, if you’ve graduated from university and received the degree, list it according to the following template:

B.Sc. Mechanical Engine ering

University of California, Berkeley

2002 - 2006

If you obtained a double major, you would write it down as:

B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering

If you have two or more majors, keep in mind that you should list the major that’s most relevant to the job you are applying to.

For example, if you majored in Applied Languages and International Relations, you should focus on the languages for a job as a translator.

Lastly, if you’re still attending college, just omit the finishing year when filling in your education section and add “Present” instead, like so:

But there are also different ways you can specify that you’re still studying. Instead of “Present,” you could write:

• 2021 - Current
• Expected Graduation: 2024
• 2021 - 2024 (expected graduation)
• 2021 - In progress
• To Be Completed: 2024

#6. Graduate and Postgraduate Degrees

Graduate-level education is, in general, more detailed since it requires participating in a more focused area of research on top of your graduate-level work. 

At this level, you probably contributed to the field with a dissertation of your own, which you should include in your resume.

Here’s an example:

Ph.D. in Brain and Cognitive Sciences

University of Rochester

Dissertation: Imaging, Computational Analysis, & Neural Representations in Young Children

Graduate and postgraduate education often includes scholarships , fellowships, or outside funding involved, which you might want to include in addition to all the general information about your degree.

Here are some real-life examples:

MBA in Business Administration

University of Maine

• Avangrid Scholarship
• Magna Cum Laude

When it comes to honors and awards, there are different ways you can list them to save space on your resume. Here’s an example that mentions them but leaves more space for the dissertation title:

MSc. in Information Systems

WU Vienna University of Economics & Business

Salutatorian, Summa Cum Laude

2015 - 2017

Dissertation: Leveraging User-Generated Content for Advertising Purposes Through Information Systems

And if you’re still studying, don’t forget to check out our student resume templates to get started on your job hunt.

#7. Unfinished Education

Even if you didn’t graduate from university, you can still mention it in your education section. Just be strategic about it.

If you have several years of relevant coursework from a degree program that relates to the job you're applying for, it can show that you’re knowledgeable even without the final credential.

B.Sc. in Civil Engineering

34 credits completed

2018 - 2019

However, if you only have basic courses or your degree isn’t relevant to the role, you might be better off skipping it altogether. There’s no need to draw attention to an unfinished degree if it won’t help you impress the hiring manager.

Need more examples? Check out our 90+ resume examples for different professions .

Do you still wonder something about education on a resume? Check out the answers to the most frequently asked questions here:

#1. How Do You Put Your Degree on a CV?

Adding your degree to your CV is pretty much the same as adding it to your resume.

List your degrees in reverse chronological order, with the most recent degree on top. Always include the essential information, such as the degree name, your major, the name of the university, and the years you attended. If relevant, you can include your GPA, thesis title, study abroad experiences, and academic honors.

#2. How Do You Write Down Your Bachelor’s Degree?

There are different ways that a bachelor's degree can be written down on your resume. Usually, there’s no need to spell out the full degree name, so there are ways you can abbreviate it for your resume. These include:

BA (Bachelor of Arts) BS (Bachelor of Science) BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)

Just use the specific abbreviation that matches your degree type. (E.g.: BSc Computer Science, BA History, BBA Economics, etc. )

#3. What If I Have an Education Gap or Took Time Off from Studies?

Treat any gaps in your education the same as you would treat an employment gap . Be upfront with the hiring manager and list the start and end dates to account for the time of the gap on your resume.

Use your cover letter to briefly explain the gap without going into too much detail. Hiring managers are understanding, and reasons like health, family, or professional experience are all common to justify education gaps.

#4. How Far Back Should I Go When Listing My Education History?

Generally, you only need to list basic information about your education if you graduated a long time ago. Your work experience and more recent achievements will have a lot more weight than details about your time in college 14 years ago.

For most professionals, listing just your highest degree is more than enough. However, an academic CV for scientific or research-heavy roles might need a more comprehensive educational background.

Key Takeaways

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the end of our article!

We’re confident you’re an expert on how to list education on a resume by now, but before we part ways, let’s quickly wrap up our main points:

• Your education section belongs after your work experience section, though there are some exceptions.
• If you don’t have any work experience, recently earned a relevant degree, or if you’re applying for a research-oriented position or in academia, the education section should be listed first.
• When listing your educational entries, use a reverse chronological order. Start with the most recent degree you have and go backward from there.
• If you have some sort of higher education, there’s no need to list your high school education.
• Unless your GPA is exceptional, don’t list it. It might undermine your resume otherwise.
• There are different ways to list your education, depending on the type of school you went to and what you want to highlight. Scroll back up if you want to see some examples.

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How to List Education on a Resume: 30 Examples & Tips

In today’s competitive job market, having a strong education section on your resume can be a game-changer. Highlighting your educational achievements not only demonstrates your knowledge and expertise but also showcases your commitment and dedication towards personal growth and career development.

The ultimate purpose of this article is to guide job seekers in presenting their education credentials effectively on their resumes. Through a comprehensive compilation of 30+ real-life examples and practical tips, this piece aims to help applicants in crafting a compelling education section that will impress hiring managers and land them their dream job.

Whether you’re a recent graduate, a mid-career professional, or a seasoned executive, this article provides valuable insights and actionable advice that are proven to enhance your resume and increase your chances of getting hired. So, stay with us, and be ready to learn how to shine a spotlight on your educational background and leverage it for your next career move!

The Basics of Education on a Resume

When it comes to creating a winning resume, the education section plays a significant role. This section is particularly important for recent graduates or those looking to change careers. Employers want to see that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to perform the job, and education serves as a reliable indicator of this.

Importance of Education Section

The education section is often used as a method of filtering out candidates. Employers want to see a clear progression of your academic qualifications, as this demonstrates a commitment to learning and personal development. Failure to include this section can result in your resume being discarded without further consideration.

How to Format Education Section

The education section should be listed in reverse chronological order with your most recent qualification first. This format makes it easier for employers to see your academic progress and the relevance of your education to the current job position.

Format for education section:

What to Include in Education Section

The education section should include the following:

Degree: State the degree you obtained or are currently in the progress of obtaining, for example, Bachelor of Science (BSc), Master of Arts (MA).

Major: Indicate the field of study in which you took most of your academic courses, for example, Business Administration, Mechanical Engineering.

University: Mention the institute or university from which you earned your degree.

Graduation Date: Include the date of your graduation or expected graduation date if you are still pursuing your education.

What Not to Include in Education Section

There are specific details that you should avoid including in the education section that may work against you. Some of them are:

GPA: Unless you have recently graduated and have a high GPA, it is best to leave this information off your resume.

High School Diploma: Unless you have no higher education or in junior level, don’t include high school education.

Coursework: Unless it is directly related to the position you are applying for, it is not relevant to list your coursework.

The education section is your chance to show your credentials and qualifications to your potential employers. Ensure that your education section is properly formatted and reflects your academic achievements clearly. By following the above guidelines, you can present your educational background in a professional and impressive way.

Where to Place Education on a Resume

When it comes to listing your education on a resume, the placement can be just as important as the information itself. Here are some of the best options for where to place your education section:

At the top of the resume : If you are a recent graduate or your education is directly related to the job you are applying for, placing your education section at the top of your resume can help to draw attention to your qualifications.

After your work experience : If you have several years of relevant work experience, placing your education section after your work experience section can help to showcase your skills and experience first.

In a separate section : You can also create a separate section for your education, which can be especially helpful if you have multiple degrees or certifications. This can also help to make it easy for recruiters to find your education information quickly.

Tips for selecting placement options:

Consider the job requirements : When deciding where to place your education section, consider the job requirements and whether your education is a significant factor in the hiring decision.

Highlight your strengths : If your education is a strong selling point for you, make sure to highlight it in a prominent position on your resume.

Keep it concise : While it’s important to include your education information, don’t overdo it. Keep your education section concise and relevant to the job you are applying for.

How to make your education section stand out:

Include relevant coursework : If you have coursework that is relevant to the job you are applying for, make sure to include it in your education section.

Highlight any honors or awards : If you received any honors or awards during your education, make sure to showcase them in your education section.

Quantify your accomplishments : If you have any accomplishments from your education, such as publishing a research paper or completing a thesis, try to quantify them with specific numbers or details.

The placement and presentation of your education on your resume can play a significant role in your job search. By carefully selecting the placement and making your education section stand out, you can increase your chances of landing your dream job.

Listing High School Education on a Resume

When it comes to including high school education on a resume, it’s important to understand that it’s typically not necessary for most job positions. However, if you are early in your career or lacking in higher-level education, you may want to include it. Here are some tips for including high school education on your resume:

How to Include High School Education on Resume

• Start with your most recent education and work backwards. List your high school education at the bottom of your education section, following any college or vocational training you may have completed.
• Be concise. Simply list your high school name, location, and the year you graduated.
• Highlight any academic achievements or honors. If you received any academic awards or honors during your high school education, include those on your resume.
• Limit the amount of detail. Unlike college education, high school education does not require a lot of detail. Keep it brief and to-the-point.

Tricks to Make High School Education More Professional

If you are concerned about how including high school education on your resume may come across, here are some tricks to make it more professional:

• Use your high school education to show transferable skills. Even if the education itself may not be relevant to the job, there may be skills you learned during that time that are transferable to the job you are applying for. For example, if you were heavily involved in a sport during high school, you may have developed leadership and teamwork skills that are applicable to many job positions. Highlight these skills on your resume.
• Show continuous learning. If you have not pursued higher education, but have taken classes, workshops, or courses since high school, include them on your resume. This shows that you have a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
• Focus on your experiences outside of education. If you are concerned about how your high school education will be perceived, focus on highlighting experiences outside of education. If you participated in clubs, sports teams, or community organizations during your high school years, include them on your resume. These experiences can demonstrate important soft skills such as leadership, communication, and teamwork.

By following these tips for including high school education on your resume, it can help you present yourself in the best possible light to potential employers. Remember, the most important thing is to demonstrate your unique skills, experiences, and qualifications in a way that will make you stand out from other candidates.

How to List Bachelor’s Degree on a Resume

When it comes to listing your Bachelor’s degree on your resume, there are a few techniques that can help you highlight this accomplishment and make it stand out to potential employers.

Techniques to Highlight Bachelor’s Degree on Resume

Use a clear and concise format:  When listing your Bachelor’s degree, make sure it is easy to find and read. Use a straightforward format that includes the name of your degree, the name of the institution where you earned it, and the date of graduation.

Include relevant coursework and honors:  If you completed coursework or received any honors related to your Bachelor’s degree, be sure to include them on your resume. This can help demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in a particular area.

Emphasize relevant skills and experiences:  Instead of simply listing your degree, try to tie it in with your relevant skills and experiences. For example, if you majored in marketing, make sure to highlight any marketing-related projects or experiences you’ve had.

Quantify your achievements:  Whether it’s a high GPA, a specific project you worked on, or an award you received, try to quantify your achievements related to your Bachelor’s degree. This can help make it stand out and demonstrate your accomplishments.

Sample Sections to List Bachelor’s Degree

Education section:  This is the most common section to list your Bachelor’s degree. Simply include the name of your degree, the name of the institution, and the date of graduation.

Skills section:  If your Bachelor’s degree is relevant to your desired job, you can include it in your skills section to emphasize your expertise.

Experience section:  If you completed any related coursework or had relevant experiences while earning your Bachelor’s degree, you can list them under the appropriate job or experience in your experience section.

Example of Listing Bachelor’s Degree in a Different Format

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Institution: XYZ University, City, State Graduation: May 2022

• Proficient in programming languages such as Java, C++, and Python
• Strong understanding of algorithms and data structures
• Experience with database management systems

Experience:

Software Development Intern ABC Company, City, State June 2021 – August 2021

• Developed and tested software modules for a web application using Java and HTML/CSS
• Collaborated with a team of developers to troubleshoot and debug issues
• Participated in code reviews and implemented improvements based on feedback

Coursework:

• Introduction to Computer Science
• Data Structures and Algorithms
• Database Management Systems

By presenting your Bachelor’s degree in a different format, you can highlight it as a separate section and provide more details about your skills, relevant experiences, and coursework. This alternative format allows the degree to stand out and provides a comprehensive overview of your educational background and related accomplishments.

How to List Associate’s Degree on a Resume

Strategies to highlight associate’s degree on resume.

Listing your associate’s degree on a resume requires a strategic approach. Here are some strategies you can use to highlight your associate’s degree:

• Place your associate’s degree prominently: Be sure to mention your associate’s degree in the education section of your resume. You can either add it directly under your high school diploma or create a separate section for your associate’s degree.
• Highlight your skills: Your skills are a crucial part of your resume, and you can use them to showcase your qualifications. Emphasize the skills that you gained as part of your associate’s degree program, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication.
• Showcase your GPA: If you excelled in your associate’s degree program, showcase your GPA prominently on your resume. A high GPA can show potential employers that you are a diligent learner and have a strong work ethic.

Sample Sections to List Associate’s Degree

Here are some sample sections you can use to list your associate’s degree:

• Associate’s Degree in Business Administration, XYZ College, 2018-2020
• High School Diploma, ABC High School, 2014-2018

Certifications and Education

• Associate’s Degree in Accounting, XYZ College, 2018-2020
• CPA certification, 2021

Example of Listing Associate’s Degree in a Different Format

Here’s an example of how you can list your associate’s degree in a different format:

Professional Summary

As a diligent and detail-oriented professional with a background in business administration, I have gained essential skills in critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving through my associate’s degree program.

By strategically highlighting your associate’s degree, you can impress potential employers and show them that you have the skills and education necessary to succeed in your desired role.

How to List Master’s Degree on a Resume

When listing your master’s degree on your resume, it’s important to do so in a way that highlights your education and makes it easy for potential employers to see your qualifications. Here are some tips for highlighting your master’s degree on your resume:

Tips for highlighting master’s degree on resume

Start with your highest degree: When listing your education, start with your highest degree first. In most cases, this will be your master’s degree.

Be concise: You don’t need to include every detail about your master’s degree on your resume. Keep it concise and relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Use bullet points: Use bullet points to make your education section easy to scan. This will help potential employers quickly see your qualifications.

Include relevant coursework: If you took coursework that is relevant to the job you’re applying for, include it in your education section.

Sample sections to list master’s degree

Here are some sample sections to list your master’s degree on your resume:

• Master of Science in Computer Science, XYZ University, 2020
• Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, ABC University, 2018

Academic achievements

• Graduated with honors
• Recipient of the Dean’s List award

Professional development

• Completed coursework in curriculum development and instructional design
• Facilitated professional development sessions for other educators

Example of listing master’s degree in a different format

Here’s an example of how you could list your master’s degree on your resume in a different format:

Professional experience

Director of Marketing, ABC Corporation

• Led the development and execution of marketing campaigns for a leading technology company
• Managed a team of five marketing professionals
• Increased website traffic by 25% through targeted content marketing strategies

Master of Science in Marketing, XYZ University

• Coursework included: Marketing Research, Consumer Behavior, Marketing Analytics
• Recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Student award

By listing your master’s degree in the education section of your resume, you’re able to highlight your academic achievements and qualifications. However, you can also choose to list your degree in other sections of your resume, such as your professional experience section, to show how your education has prepared you for your work.

How to List PhD on a Resume

If you have earned a PhD, it is important to highlight this achievement on your resume. Here are some steps to help you effectively list your PhD:

Include your degree title: Begin by listing your degree title, such as “Doctor of Philosophy” or “PhD” after your name at the top of your resume.

Highlight your field of study: Under the education section of your resume, include the name of your university, the dates of your attendance, and your field of study.

Detail your dissertation: Highlight your dissertation topic and provide a brief summary of your research under your education section.

Emphasize your contributions: If you were actively involved in any research or publications during your PhD program, consider creating a separate section to highlight these achievements.

Here are some sample sections you could use to list your PhD on a resume:

• Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, XYZ University, 2016-2022
• Dissertation: “The Effect of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Anxiety Among Children and Adolescents”

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

• Conducted empirical research on the effect of mindfulness-based interventions on stress levels among university students
• Published several articles in peer-reviewed journals related to social behavior and mental health in adolescence

PUBLICATIONS

• John Doe, Jane Doe, & Sam Smith. (2021). “Impacts of Social Media on Mental Health in Adolescents.” Journal of Adolescence, 87, 35-41.

If you want to highlight your PhD in a different format, consider these tips:

• Create a separate section for your education, research experience, and publications.
• Use bullet points to list your relevant achievements and responsibilities.
• Keep it concise but specific – employers want to see your accomplishments, but they don’t want to read a thesis.

Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work, XYZ University, 2014-2019

• Dissertation: “The Role of Social Support in Reducing Depression Among Adults with Chronic Illnesses”
• Conducted a mixed-methods research project on the experiences of individuals with disabilities in accessing healthcare services
• Presented research findings at several conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals
• John Doe & Jane Smith. (2019). “Barriers and facilitators to accessing mental health care among individuals with disabilities.” Journal of Social Work in Disability & Rehabilitation, 18(1), 30-40.

Listing your PhD on a resume is an essential aspect of showcasing your expertise and qualifications. By following these steps and examples, you can effectively and clearly highlight your achievements and make a positive impact on potential employers.

How to List Certifications and Licenses

When it comes to creating a resume, highlighting your education is a key component. However, it’s not just your degrees that can impress potential employers. Listing certifications and licenses you hold can also make you stand out as a qualified candidate. Here, we’ll discuss what essential certificates and licenses to list on a resume, how to format and list them properly, and provide sample sections to make your resume stand out.

Essential Certificates and Licenses

When it comes to listing certifications and licenses, there are many to choose from. However, certain certifications and licenses are more relevant to specific career paths. Here are the essential certificates and licenses that you should list on your resume based on the industry you’re in:

• Healthcare: CPR certification, BLS certification, CNA certification, RN license, AHA certification, etc.
• Education: Teaching license, administrator license, TEFL certification, etc.
• Information technology: Microsoft certifications, CompTIA certifications, Cisco certifications, etc.
• Finance: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification, etc.
• Law: Bar admission, legal secretary certification, notary public commission, etc.
• Real estate: Real estate license, certified residential specialist (CRS) certification, etc.

Formatting and Listing Certifications and Licenses

When listing certifications and licenses on your resume, it’s essential to format them properly. Here are some tips to ensure that you list them correctly:

• Place relevant certifications and licenses in an area of your resume that makes sense. If you’re in healthcare, you may want to include them under a “Certifications” header after your education section. If you’re in finance, you could list your CPA license under your “Professional Development” section.
• Always list the most recent certification or license first, followed by the less recent ones in descending order.
• If the certification or license has an expiration date, make sure to list it along with the certificate’s title, followed by the issuing institution and the date it was earned.

Sample Sections for Listing Certifications and Licenses

Now that you know the essential certificates and licenses to list and how to format them, here are some sample sections that you can use on your resume for some inspiration:

Certifications

• BLS Certification, American Red Cross, Exp. 04/2022
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Certification, State of California, Exp. 12/2023
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification, American Heart Association, Exp. 06/2024
• Teaching License, State of New York, Exp. 06/2027
• Administrator License, State of Illinois, Exp. 06/2029

Information Technology

• CompTIA Security+ Certification, CompTIA, Exp.

How to List Relevant Coursework on a Resume

When crafting a resume, it is important to showcase all aspects of your education and relevant experiences. One way to do this is by including relevant coursework on your resume. In this section, we will discuss why including coursework on your resume can be helpful, the importance of relevant coursework, how to format it, and provide examples of sections to list relevant coursework.

Why Include Coursework on Resume

Including relevant coursework on your resume can be helpful in showcasing the skills and knowledge you have gained in your academic career. If you do not have much work experience or are applying for a job in a field that you studied in school, including coursework can show the employer that you have a solid foundation in the industry.

Importance of Relevant Coursework on Resume

Listing relevant coursework on your resume can demonstrate to the employer that you have gained valuable knowledge and experience in a particular subject area. This can be especially important if the job you are applying for requires specific skills or knowledge that you gained through your coursework. Additionally, it can show your dedication and interest in a particular field or subject.

How to Format Relevant Coursework

When formatting relevant coursework on your resume, it is important to keep it concise and relevant. You should only include coursework that is relevant to the job you are applying for, and ensure that the information is easy to read and understand. Consider highlighting the relevant coursework in a separate section, or within the education section of your resume.

Example Sections to List Relevant Coursework

Below are some examples of sections to list relevant coursework on your resume:

Education Section

Bachelor of Science in Marketing

• Marketing Research Methods
• Consumer Behavior
• Marketing Communications

Relevant Coursework Section

• Web Design and Development
• Digital Security

Including relevant coursework on your resume can be a valuable addition, especially if you are new to the workforce or transitioning to a new field. Use the tips provided to format your relevant coursework in a clear and concise way, and showcase your skills and knowledge to potential employers.

Listing Education Based on Career Level

When it comes to listing your education on a resume, it’s important to consider your career level and tailor your education section accordingly. Depending on your level of experience and the job you’re applying for, you may need to highlight different aspects of your academic background.

Tailoring Education Section to Fit Career Level

For entry-level positions, your education may be the most important section of your resume, especially if you have limited work experience. In this case, you should list your education and any relevant coursework, certifications or awards related to the job you’re applying for at the top of your resume.

If you’re a more experienced professional, your work experience will likely take center stage on your resume. However, your education can still be valuable to showcase, particularly if you completed advanced degrees or specialized training.

For senior-level positions, it’s common to list your education at the end of your resume, after you’ve highlighted your extensive work experience. At this stage of your career, employers are likely more interested in your professional achievements and leadership experience than your academic background.

Example Sections to List Education Based on Career Level

Entry-level example:.

• Bachelor of Science in Marketing, XYZ University
• Relevant Coursework: Marketing Research, Consumer Behavior, Advertising and Promotion, Digital Marketing
• Dean’s List, Fall 2018 – Spring 2021

Experienced Professional Example:

• Master of Business Administration, ABC School of Business
• Bachelor of Science in Management, XYZ University
• Relevant Coursework: Strategic Management, Operations Management, Corporate Finance, Marketing Analytics
• Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Awards: Outstanding Graduate Student, ABC School of Business

Senior-Level Example:

Professional Experience

• Director of Sales, XYZ Corporation
• Vice President of Marketing, ABC Company
• Chief Revenue Officer, DEF Inc.

Education on a Functional Resume: Tips & Samples

When it comes to creating a functional resume, highlighting your education can be incredibly important. Whether you’re a recent graduate or have years of experience under your belt, your educational background can demonstrate your qualifications and expertise in your chosen field.

Importance of Education in a Functional Resume

Including your education on a functional resume can help you stand out from other job seekers. It can demonstrate that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in your desired position, and it can also show that you value ongoing learning and professional development.

When listing your education on a functional resume, be sure to include any relevant degrees, courses, certifications, or training programs that you’ve completed. This can help demonstrate your expertise and show that you’ve taken the initiative to further your education and skills.

Techniques to Highlight Education in a Functional Resume

One technique for highlighting your education on a functional resume is to create a separate “Education” section. This section should include the name of the school or institution you attended, the degree or certification you earned, and the year of completion.

When listing your education, be sure to include any relevant coursework or honors that demonstrate your expertise in your field. For example, if you’re applying for a position as a software engineer, you might include coursework in programming languages or computer science.

Another technique for highlighting your education on a functional resume is to incorporate it into your work experience section. For example, if you completed an internship or apprenticeship during your education, you might list that experience under a relevant job title.

Sample Sections to List Education in a Functional Resume

Here are a few sample sections that you might use to list your education on a functional resume:

• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, University of XYZ, 2014-2018
• Relevant coursework: Business Law, Financial Accounting, Marketing
• Marketing Intern, ABC Company, 2017-2018 (completed as part of the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program at the University of XYZ)
• Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program, Red Cross, 2016
• Relevant coursework: Patient Care, Infection Control, Anatomy and Physiology
• Nursing Assistant, XYZ Hospital, 2016-2018 (completed as part of the Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program at the Red Cross)

By including your education in your functional resume, you can demonstrate your qualifications, expertise, and ongoing commitment to learning and professional development. These sample sections can help you highlight your educational background in a clear and effective way.

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How to List Education on Your Resume (with Examples)

10 min read · Updated on March 27, 2024

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

Your education is an essential detail to include on your resume, as it indicates that you're trained in your field. Even if your formal education isn't directly related to your current career path (perhaps you made a career change, for instance), it's 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.

In this article, you'll learn how to list education on your resume and see examples that you can use for inspiration as you craft your own. 

What to include under Education on a resume

It sounds simple – you list the degrees you've obtained and the schools where you got them. 

But, wait! There's more.

In some instances, it may be appropriate to include your GPA, some relevant coursework, or even give a nod to some major project you worked on. Much of this depends on whether you're fresh out of school or have some experience under your belt. 

Here are some other things to consider when writing the Education section of your resume:

Does your education section go at the top or bottom of your resume?

Do you include a degree if you're still working on it?

Does high school belong on my resume?

Let's start with the basics.

1. Degree earned

When you finally graduated and received your diploma, what did it say? For example, you may have achieved a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Whatever it was, it's the most important education detail you can put on your resume, because it's the official evidence of your education.

One of the most important things to remember is that you should list your degrees in reverse chronological order. That means you start with the most recent one (which is likely to be your highest) and work backward. Also, once you get into college there is no reason to add high school. Employers know that you have to finish high school to get into college, so they'll assume you graduated. 

Remember that one degree type can be applied to a variety of fields of study. For example, a Bachelor of Science degree can be earned for both physics and computer science. Therefore, in addition to the degree itself, you must include the major for which the degree was earned. This way, a hiring manager knows exactly what topics you've studied.

If you completed any minors or concentrations, you can include those too.

3. University, college, or institution

Add some context to your education by listing the university, college, or institution where you went to school. This is especially important if you attended a well-respected program in your field, because it will make you seem all the more impressive.

4. Years attended

The timeframe that you were in school is generally something you don't need to worry about including unless you're still in school or graduated within the last year. Additionally, you might add the dates you were in school if you need to take care of a gap in employment. Outside of these conditions, you should leave off the timeframe you were in school.

Whether or not you include your GPA in the Education section of a resume depends on many factors. If you earned your degree 20 years ago, your GPA is likely a defunct measure of your current abilities. If you earned your degree recently, however, adding your GPA can be a great move – but only if it's 3.5 or higher. You can also indicate any distinctions you earned based on your grades, such as summa cum laude , if applicable.

6. Extracurricular activities

If you were in an honors society, you can list your membership. If you were part of a fraternity or sorority, it's a toss-up. While you might think this is a good inclusion because it demonstrates you were participating in service-related activities or so on, Greek rivalries can extend way past college years and you wouldn't want to accidentally tip off your hiring manager that you belonged to a rival group.

7. Certifications 

Outside of formal education, you may also have taken the initiative to earn supplementary certifications or complete online courses that are relevant to your field. Highlight these in your resume Education section, especially if they are on niche or high-level topics that prove your expertise far beyond a more generalized curriculum.

Here's an example of what all that looks like:

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

Bachelor of Business Administration | ABC University | 2021-2024

Dean's list - summa cum laude

President - Marketing Club

Certifications:

Project Management Professional (PMP) | Project Management Institute

Conditions to consider, aside from the basics

Some of those basics may be optional - as we mentioned, you wouldn't include the dates of your degree program if you've been out of school for more than a year. When you begin to craft the Education section of your resume, there are other things to consider as well.

You completed high school

Attending college may not be among the goals you've set for your life. That's okay!

If you decide to graduate high school and go straight to work, your career can still be rich and full. At this point, though, a lot of people ask if they should include high school on their resume. 

A few rules of thumb about adding high school to the Education section of your resume:

Exclude high school altogether if you go to college

Exclude high school if you've attended trade school

Include high school if you have no additional education, professional development, or certifications

Include high school if the job description specifically mentions that you need a high school diploma

Include high school if you're applying for a job while still in high school

This is what the Education section of your resume would look like if all you have to put in it is high school:

Diploma or GED [whichever is appropriate] | DEF High School

Graduated: 2023

Relevant courses: Accounting, Business Law, and Ethics

Just because high school is the highest education you've obtained, doesn't mean you can't take the opportunity to inject some relevant keywords into your resume. 

PRO TIP: Check out our article on tailoring your resume to different jobs to understand how important relevant keywords are when writing your resume.

You have an undergrad degree

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.

Go back to the basics to build your Education section when you earn your Bachelor's degree. 

Include your degree and major

Add the name of the school where you obtained the degree

Throw in some extras, like achievements, coursework, and affiliations

The last point – about adding extras – is extremely important if you have little to no work experience . Adding that you were a Resident Advisor or won first place in a robotics competition could be the thing that puts your resume at the top of the yes pile. 

You have an advanced degree

Once you enter the world of Master's degrees and PhDs the Education section of your resume becomes more robust and might include things like the title of a dissertation, fellowships or internships. 

As before, always start with your highest degree and work backward. Here's an example of an Education section with advanced degrees:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – Leadership Studies | CCC University 

International Student Scholar

Dissertation: Exploring the Relationships of Principal Preparation Programs and Leadership Styles on School Accountability Indices

Master of Arts (MA) – Counseling | BBB University 

Bachelor of Science – Psychology (cum laude) | University of AAA

You started college at one place but finished somewhere else

If you attended college at one institution – perhaps a community college – and then completed your education in another place, you only need to list the university where you completed your degree. All the employer wants to know is which college supplied you with your degree at the end of your education; they don't necessarily care or need to know how you arrived at this place. Save that resume space for more important information.

You didn't attend or finish college

If you attended college but didn't graduate, you may want to list the relevant courses you took, especially if you made it to some of the higher-level classes, to demonstrate the skills you built or the disciplines you were exposed to during your coursework.

You're still pursuing a college degree (undergrad or grad program)

If you're still attending college for either your undergraduate or graduate degree, you can simply add an expected graduation year to this information. You can add a list of a few courses you've completed if 

They're higher-level courses that are relevant to your job goals

You don't have a lot of relevant work experience to market on your resume.

You earned your degree more than 5 years ago

If you earned a degree or certification more than 5 years ago, place your Education at the bottom of your resume and remove the graduation date. It's important to demonstrate you've earned the degree, but there's no need to draw attention to how long ago this occurred.

Doing so will allow you to focus your resume on your skills, accomplishments , and professional history. For those who have many years of professional experience, education becomes less important because you should be moving forward in your career.

Where does the Education section of your resume go?

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 , because 

You most likely have limited professional experience to list on your resume

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.

Key takeaways

Presenting your education on your resume in a thoughtful way will open a lot of employment doors. Here's what you should keep in mind as you write the Education section of your resume:

You list education on your resume in a certain way based on what stage of your career you're at

The main components of your Education section are degree, major, school, years attended, and certifications

Tailor your Education section based on keywords and qualifications mentioned in the job description

Be honest about ongoing education or degrees you've decided not to complete

Your Education section is fluid

Remember, there isn't one resume format that fits all job seekers. Be strategic when placing your Education information by considering where you are in your career and how it will help you to land the jobs you're after. 

Find out if you are showcasing your education on your resume - get a free resume review from TopResume.

This article was updated in December 2023. It contains work by Amanda Augustine and Lauren Settembrino  and Heather Rothbauer-Wanish .

Recommended reading:

Resources for In-Demand Job Skills You Can Learn Online

How To Speed Up the Resume-Writing Process

The Most Essential Trait You Need to Land Any Job

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How to Create a Resume With No Education

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How to List Education on a Resume With Examples

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What to include in the education section of a resume

Where to list your education in a resume, what interviewers want to see in your resume’s education section, how to format education on a resume.

• Examples at different life stages for listing education on a resume
• Education FAQs

The education section of your resume provides hiring managers with a detailed insight into your background and how it relates to the role. When written to reflect the job requirements, your education section can give you an advantage over other candidates. The best way to list your education depends on your work and academic achievements.

There are several ways to list education on your resume. Reading and understanding the job description can help identify the perfect location and level of qualification to include when applying to a position. Not all jobs need your full credentials, so you can check the job listing to see what the hiring managers are looking for. In this article, you can learn about how to list your education on a resume.

The information to include in your education section depends on your academic qualifications. 

Here are popular educational, academic and professional development credentials to include in the education section of a resume:

• Secondary diploma, high school diploma, or GED
• College diploma
• Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, PhD or Doctorate degree
• Professional degree or certification
• Trade school diploma, certificate, or apprenticeship
• Professional licenses or memberships
• Online class or course
• Name of schools and location
• Discipline (including major and minor where applicable)
• Year of graduation (optional)
• GPA (include only if you are a current or a recent graduate with a strong GPA of at least 3.5)
• Awards and honors including Latin honors, Dean’s List and others
• Relevant coursework, research and other academic activities
• Professional development courses and certification
• Licenses (if you aren’t listing them in a separate section on your resume)
• Membership of extracurricular clubs and organizations

The ideal location of the education section depends on your academic achievements and experience. If you are in college or graduated one or two years ago, it’s better to highlight your education at the top of the resume. This will show the interviewer your academic achievements relevant to the role, even if you have limited work experience. 

If you have enough work experience to impress the employer, consider putting the education section at the lower part of your resume.

The information each hiring manager looks for in your resume education section depends on the job requirements. Recruiters hiring for an entry-level position might look for the course you studied in college or type of degree. An employer interviewing for a managerial role in a finance company might want to see a business school degree or industry-specific certifications.

The requirements or education section of a job description will provide the academic qualifications for the role. Read the section carefully to ensure your credentials are a good fit for the job.

Be honest with the academic qualifications you include on your resume. It is easy for interviewers to confirm the information you provide. You can leave off information that does not support your chances of getting an interview. 

While people have different education backgrounds, employers expect that education on a resume be formatted in a readable way.

Follow these steps to format education on a resume:

• First, list school or education provider’s name, type of school (if unclear) and location
• Second, list the time period that you attended or date that you graduated, making sure it is clear whether this education is completed, ongoing or unfinished
• Third, include the specialization, degree, certification or diploma, if applicable
• Fourth, list the field of study, major and/or minor, if applicable
• Lastly, list your GPA if this would be helpful and relevant to include on your resume

Education examples on a resume

Here are examples of how to list education sections on resumes for people at different points in their career:

Education for a working professional

If you are a working professional with up to 5 years of experience, place your education section below your professional experience section. In your case, the function of the education section is to show employers you meet the academic requirements for the role.

Recruiters are more interested in your recent achievements at work, not educational accomplishments. If you gained higher academic qualifications recently, place the education section at the top of your resume if it applies to the role. Rank advanced degrees from the most recent.

Example of the education section for a working professional:

Georgetown University Graduate School of Physics | Washington DC

Master of Science in Fluid Dynamics

University of Baltimore | Baltimore, Maryland

Bachelor of Science in Geophysics Studies

Education for a recent graduate

If you graduated less than five years ago, put your education section below or in line with work experience. Give your work experience a prominent position on the resume to show your readiness for the demands of a professional environment. Include your schools, attendance dates, awards and honors, and your GPA (3.5 and above), but keep it short.

Example of the education section for a recent graduate:

Michigan State University, Michigan 2012-2017

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics

Statistical Analysis Certificate

Sloane Scholar

Education for a college student with some work experience

If you are a college student with work experience, place your education section above work. Include the name of the institution, degree type and the expected year of graduation. You can also mention coursework, extracurricular activities, organizations and other academic achievements relevant to the role. Don’t include your GPA if it is below 3.5.

Example of the education section for a college student with work experience:

California State University, California

Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance, September 2017

Minored in Accounting

Relevant Coursework: Accounting Systems, Actuarial Sciences, Anti Money Laundering Protocols

Extracurricular activities: Treasurer for the Association of Accounting Students

GPA: 3.95/4.0

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: Dean’s 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 manager’s attention.

Education Section FAQ

What order should i list education in.

Education is usually listed in reverse chronological order. For example, list a graduate degree first, and then your undergraduate degree.

Most people list the highest level of education first. Start with the highest level of education first, and then the second-highest, and then third highest (onwards).

Should I list all my education on my resume?

Not necessarily. Only list education if it is relevant for the job posting. For example, if you are a college graduate, you don’t need to put high school education on a resume.

What takes priority – education or work experience?

Whether education or work experience is more important is determined by the job posting and your qualifications.

Generally, experienced candidates should list their previous work experience first, if the experience is relevant for the job.

However, teens, students, recent grads, and candidates with less work experience could list education and relevant qualifications first.

When should I leave education off a resume?

Most people list the highest level of education relevant for the job, even if they are experienced candidates. But the more relevant work experience you have, the less important the education section becomes.

Always read the job description carefully to identify whether the employer requires specific education qualifications. Add that education to your resume if you have completed it.

Perfecting the Education Section on Your Resume

In This Guide:

Why featuring education on your resume is a must, what should my education section look like, general tips for your education section, perfecting the education section on your resume.

When it comes to writing your resume, featuring education is often essential to getting you hired.

It isn’t always clear how you can do that and what the best practices are.

Your level of experience has a massive effect on the way you showcase your education.

For example:

Entry-level candidates must draw attention to their educational background to appeal to recruiters. Seniors with decades of experience would often emphasize other sections.

Between this and that, there are differences you must know before making your resume.

Now, here’s something you should know:

If your education section isn’t making an impact, it’s won’t do you any favors. It must give answers that justify its’ existence on your resume.

That’s precisely why we created this comprehensive guide for you!

The expert advice we share here will help you no matter where you are in your career. We’ll teach you how to create an impactful education that gets you hired.

Let’s dive in.

If you’ve been frequenting the internet recently, you may have come across these ideas:

• You don’t need any education to succeed in life today
• College is a waste of time, so stay away from it
• The job market is no longer interested in your education

While some of that is enticing to hear, the reality of the situation tells us the opposite.

Unless you’re in a super creative field, the job market is still decades away from ditching formal schooling and college.

Education remains one of the top hiring factors in the majority of industries today.

The world is making a slow transition towards self-learning. Yet, most businesses are unwilling to take a risk and hire candidates with no educational background.

That’s even more true in traditional job positions such as finance and accounting, where formal education is more than necessary.

Now, here are five reasons why education will always be essential for your resume:

1- It serves as proof of competence

Many companies today are asking for an academic degree in their job offers.

That’ simply because…

Before hiring anyone, recruiters have to skim through a massive list of candidates. They need specific measures to choose from that list and make a well-informed hiring decision.

Being a brilliant student with a high GPA is a great way to stand out from the pack. It will help set you apart and quickly draw attention to your competence.

That’s even more true in entry-level positions where education is the main criteria for getting you hired.

2- It explains the gaps in your past

Believe it or not…

Many applicants lose job opportunities due to unexplained gaps in their resume — even if it was because of them going back to school!

You may wonder: But why wouldn’t the recruiter just ask me about the gap?

In a perfect world, they would.

But in their experience, the main explanation for an unemployment gap is unemployment. Headhunters will assume you’ve been unemployed and skip your resume — while the truth you were doing your best to advance in your career.

The point from all this is straightforward:

If you have any employment gaps due to school, including education is even more vital.

3- It increases job relevance

Showcasing your degree on your resume helps increase your relevance to the job position.

Although they won’t say it:

Recruiters will regard your educational background as an additional job experience.

They know you weren’t working in college. However, taking relevant classes allows you to learn the fundamentals of your work.

That’s another reason why businesses today prefer to hire candidates with a degree.

4- It highlights your hard work and longterm investment in your career

This point is super crucial, yet it’s often overlooked by lots of job seekers.

Recruiters prefer a hardworking candidate ready to be in for the long haul. They want someone who’ll go the extra mile to learn the ins and outs of the industry and help the business thrive.

What’s a better way to demonstrate that than showing how you’ve invested years of your life to attain a degree in your field?

Your educational degree proves your early commitment. It shows that you’re invested in your career and helps recruiters see why you’re the best.

5- It doesn’t hurt your chances anyways

Education is a crucial section that many headhunters expect to see in your resume, even if not asked for. Besides, it won’t take much space on the page and can be read within seconds.

So, you’ve got nothing to lose!

But here’s something to think about:

Imagine you were a recruiter with two candidates left on your desk. They have the same job experience, soft/technical skills, and are both ready to work with you.

One of them has a Bachelor’s degree, while the other one doesn’t.

It doesn’t take much thinking before you pick the applicant with an education.

You have everything to win.

The objective and impact of your education section will differ based on your circumstances. The detail required within your education section as a high-school student will be very different from when you’re a working professional with 10+ years of experience.

We’ve broken things down into four simple questions: what, where, how, and why.

• What should an education section cover in a resume?
• Where should this section go?
• How do you describe your educational background?
• Why will education work to your advantage?

Education Section As a High-School Student

The name of your school, the year you started at your school, and a brief description of classes and/or extra-curricular activities you’re involved in.

It’s no harm to include your GPA, too.

This depends on how much working experience you have. In general, your education section should be at the top of your resume, just under your resume header .

When describing classes you’ve taken, tailor them to the position you’re applying for.

If you’re applying for a role in retail and have taken classes in Business and Math, these would be particularly relevant. Languages classes would be relevant here, too. You can mention your individual grades in these classes.

When it comes to extracurricular activities you’re involved in, describe what you did, rather than what it was. For example, planted 300 trees as part of the environmental club. Simply listing that you’re a member of many clubs doesn’t mean very much.

Placing your education section near the top (beginning) of your resume is important as its one of the only formal records of work you have done.

This allows hiring managers to see your ability to perform real-world tasks and to pick up new skills.

Here’s an example Education Section for a high school student resume:

Education Section as a College Student/Recent Graduate

Your university, the title of your degree, your GPA, any relevant courses you have taken or are taking, and the period of your studies.

If you have a couple years of work experience in your field, you can place your education after that. Otherwise, you must feature your education prominently near the top of your resume.

Simply because your recent graduation should explain your lack of experience. That will stop recruiters from wondering why you lack expertise or where you’ve been in the past years.

Consider separating extra-curricular activities into a volunteering section as college extracurriculars tend to include more of a dedication and skill-set than high-school equivalents.

Much like in a first job resume, tailor any classes you’ve taken to the position you’re applying to.

Giving insight into any software packages or skills you’ve developed over the course of your degree as a current student is also helpful here.

As a recent graduate, you should include your final grade and any information on your thesis or dissertation.

Your education is your base. Showing the recruiter where you have developed your academic skills allows them to judge your theoretical framework and get a peek into the areas you know best.

Recruiters won’t expect you to know the ins-and-outs of practical experience in a certain field. They simply want to know you’re starting with an understanding and not from scratch.

Here’s a resume template for a college student/recent graduate education section:

Education Section as An Experienced Professional

The university you studied at and its’ location, the title of your degree, and your GPA (if it is high enough to meet the job criteria).

As an experienced professional, your education takes less prominence.

Hiring managers are more interested in your work history and skills than your education. Yet, they still want to know about your educational qualifications to make sure you’re fit for the job.

Thus, you must place this section at the end of your resume or after your previous experience.

In general, you won’t need to include the classes you’ve taken in your education section — unless you’ve recently obtained your degree in a newer area.

Suppose you’ve built your base and have been working in your field for a number of years. The recruiter doesn’t need to check your education to see if you have an ability in the area.

Your work history does all that for you.

Your education section completes the story of your career and gives insight into who you are more than it does prove your potential impact.

The section below is a great resume example of a job-winning education section:

• If listing a number of degrees, do so in reverse-chronological order
• Always be specific – if you’re applying to a job in marketing and have a degree in sales and marketing, your marketing degree should be given preference
• Don’t lie about your grades or completion of a degree as that can be easily checked
• If you’re graduated from a top-tier university, be sure to highlight its’ name first to draw attention to it and leave a strong impression
• You can include your education even if you haven’t completed the degree, either state the number of credits you’ve completed or simply when you expect to graduate

Recruiters look to your education to reference your ability to pick up new skills, meet deadlines, and apply yourself to new challenges.

The importance of your education changes as you progress throughout your career. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean you have to take your education off to cut down on resume length .

Applying general tips such as being specific in the information you give helps increase the impact your education section has too.

To create a resume education section as clear and impactful as the examples you’ve seen above, you can utilize Enhancv’s resume builder . Check out some examples here for inspiration.

Tip: Struggling with how to convey your informal education to employers? Check out our post!

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• Resume Tips

How to List Education on Your Resume (+Examples)

10 min read

A resume can – and should – look very different depending on the individual it is representing. The focal points of a veteran executive’s resume will be very different from that of a recent college graduate. However, whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, you need to include a section on education within your resume. 

Not only is it extremely important to showcase your qualifications and the skill level you have achieved, but it will also go towards a higher score on the applicant tracking system (ATS) –  the computer algorithms that a lot of organizations use to filter out resumes before an actual person views them.In this post, we will delve into how to list your education on your resume, depending on a few key factors.

Why is including education on your resume so important?

At the most basic level, a clear education section demonstrates that you have a solid academic background and the basic knowledge to thrive in any environment. Your education can also be a point of connection or conversation. For example, you might be an alumnus of the same university or share a major with the hiring manager. Maybe you went to a rival school or university and can get into some friendly trash talk.

The point is, education is a shared experience most people can understand and talk about, regardless of their current professional position.

There are, however, many different approaches on how to convey education on a resume. Differences in style, placement of the section, and what is included can speak volumes, so you need to get it right from the start.

In this blog, we are going to go over the many different approaches you can take when adding education to your resume. It also includes ways in which you can construct the section aesthetically, where to place it, and what information to include.

How to present education on your resume

The key to effectively presenting the education section on your resume is to ensure that the most current information is the easiest to spot. There are a few techniques you can use to maximize the use of this strategy.

Your highest level of education should be first

Resumes are generally written in reverse chronological order , where the most recent information is displayed first. That means placing your highest qualification at the top of the education section. 

EXPERT TIP: If you’ve been to university, there is no need to state your high school qualifications .

There are some exceptions. Let’s say, for example, you have an advanced degree in psychology. Recently, you’ve grown unhappy in that industry and have been working on transitioning into technology. You went back to school and took a bunch of courses that are relevant to the tech industry.

In this situation, you will want to list your relevant coursework higher, even though your psychology degree is more advanced, from an educational stance. Why? Because the coursework has more relevance to the position you are applying for. While an advanced psychology degree may be impressive, it doesn’t go towards explaining why you’d be a success in the tech industry.

Let’s look at some examples of different types of education sections.

2022   Master of Social Work (MSW)

NYU School of Social Work, New York, NY

2019   Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY

In this simple example, notice how the highest level of education (Master of Science) is listed above the second highest level (Bachelor of Science). This is the pattern you should always follow unless you’re transitioning between industries.

As discussed earlier, if you are transitioning to a new and unrelated industry to that of your degree, the education on your resume should look something like this:

2020   Graphic Design Certification

The New School, Parsons Digital Design, New York, NY

2011   Master of Science in Information Technology

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

2010   Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

University of Idaho, Moscow, ID

Notice how even though a graphic design certification is the least advanced degree, it is placed at the top of the education section. Again, this should ONLY be done in situations when you are changing direction and aiming to get your foot in the door of a new industry where your old degrees would be irrelevant.

Drawing attention to the important parts

There are a bunch of options when writing the education section on your resume. Depending on the listing, you’re going to want to draw attention to the most relevant parts of your resume. This includes the education section as well.

How can you draw attention to the education on your resume? As previously discussed, listing the most important and relevant qualifications first is essential. After that, you can draw attention to the parts you really want to be noticed by altering the text. If you went to a prestigious university, you might want to draw attention to this by bolding the text. If you want the hiring manager to notice your major first, put that part in bold.

The same rule applies throughout the resume’s education section. Your resume should look neat and be consistent. So, if you’ve bolded up your college name, make sure all the educational establishment names you’ve listed are in bold as well.

In summary, use text alteration to draw attention to the parts you want noticed while at the same time making sure that it maintains a clean appearance.

What information to include in the education section of a resume

There are a few pieces of information that are absolutely essential for any effective education section. This includes:

School name

School location

Including GPA

The general rules for including GPA on your resume are as follows:

If you graduated in the last four years AND your GPA is over 3.5, include it.

If you graduated over four years ago OR if your GPA is below 3.5, DO NOT include it.

Here are a few examples of GPA inclusion:

2020   Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

GPA: 3.8/4.0

Here is another example of GPA inclusion in a more detailed education section:

EDUCATION & TRAINING

University of Calgary Haskayne School of Business | Calgary, AB

Bachelor of Commerce, Finance (Expected 2024)

Major GPA: 4.00 | Cumulative GPA: 3.82

Awards: Alexander Rutherford Scholarship, Entrance Scholarship, Jason Lang Scholarship

Relevant Coursework | Relevant GPA: 4.00

Investments & Security Analysis, Financial Accounting, Futures and Options, International Finance, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics

As you can see, if included, your GPA should be a part of, but not the main focus of, your education section. The reason for this is simply because it’s not the main thing employers are looking for.

To add more meat to the bones of the education section, especially if you’re a recent graduate with little work experience, you can add in relevant coursework . This gives the hiring manager more of an idea of, theoretically, what you can do.

Including extracurricular activities or honors

If you are a recent graduate, it might be appropriate to list extracurricular activities or any achievements you obtained while at college within the education section. It is wise, however, to exclude anything controversial, such as religious or political activities.

For example:

2022   Bachelor of Science in Maths & Economics

Montana State University, Bozeman, MT

Led a group project on Newtonian Mechanics, winning First Prize at the Maths Fair

Always include any honors on your resume, as they look great and will set you apart from the rest of the crowd. Even if you graduated more than four years ago, an honor is still relevant and presents you in a good light.

2022   Bachelor of Arts in Drama

University of Wyoming, Cheyenne, WY

Awarded Best Drama Student

In short, you will want to include extracurricular activities as it shows passion and motivation. The same can be said for including any honors. If it is relevant, include it.

Should you include your graduation year?

This totally depends. Keep in mind that including your graduation year on your resume will usually give away your general age range. Whether that is a good or bad thing depends on the job you are applying for and the message you want to project.

A rule of thumb is to include the date you graduated in the education section of your resume if you graduated within the past five years, but not once you have bagged some proper work experience. Once you are deep into your career, the year you left college becomes a moot point that potential employers will not be interested in.

EXPERT TIP: For more information, check out our post on 7 No-Fail Resume Tips for Older Workers (+ Examples) .

What about including ongoing education?

You should include any ongoing education, clearly stating that you are in the middle of the degree or course. There are easy ways to include ongoing education on your resume.

University at Buffalo, New York, NY 

Bachelor of Science in Biology ( due for completion in June 2024 )

Relevant Courses Taken Include: Intro to Biology (85%), Chemistry 101 (74%), Microbiology (70%), and Organic Chemistry (63%)

As you can see, it is obvious to the reader that the degree is ongoing, yet it still makes it clear what modules have already been completed and when it is scheduled to be finished.

Should you include incomplete courses?

It is up for debate about whether to include courses or degrees that you’ve started but have no intention of finishing for whatever reason. Overall, it is best not to include them as it shows a lack of commitment. Plus, as you haven’t finished the course or degree, you can’t really claim it as a qualification.

Where to place the education section on your resume

If you are a recent graduate with no relevant work experience under your belt, put your education at the top, underneath the profile summary.

If you are a recent graduate with internship experience, put the education section below your work experience.

When changing career paths, and if you’ve undertaken relevant coursework related to your new direction, place it at the top.

In all other scenarios, the education section on your resume goes at the bottom, after the career summary.

  Expert Tip: For more information on organizing resume sections and laying them out effectively on the page, check out ZipJob’s blog on 7 Resume Headers and Sections You Need (+ Examples) .

Land the interview

Every section of your resume is important. The education section is no exception. It demonstrates commitment and a certain level of knowledge. It can also be a topic of conversation with fellow alumni or rivals. You never know what will catch the eye of a hiring manager. It could be just the thing that lands you the interview!

Good luck with your job hunting.

Now that you have a good idea of how to go about presenting your education on your resume upload your finished document for a free resume review from ZipJob. You will receive honest and trustworthy advice that can get your resume from “meh” to “WOW.” 

Recommended reading:

Writing Your Work Experience: Samples & How to Guide

10 Vital Skills to Put on Your Resume & Stand Out (Expert Advice)

What to Wear for a Virtual Interview: 7 Tips to Impress

Elizabeth Openshaw, Editor & Content Writer, Elizabeth Openshaw, Editor & Content Writer

Elizabeth Openshaw is an Elite CV Consultant with over 12 years of experience based in Brighton, UK, with an English degree and an addiction to Wordle! She is a former Journalist of 17 years with the claim to fame that she interviewed three times Grand Slam winner and former World No.1 tennis player, Andy Murray, when he was just 14 years old. You can connect with her at Elizabeth Openshaw | LinkedIn .

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• Research Salaries & Negotiate Offers
• Find Funding
• Develop Professional and Leadership Skills
• Apply to Graduate School
• Apply to Health Professions School
• Apply to Law School
• Self-Assessment
• Experiences
• Post-Graduate
• Jobs & Internships
• Career Fairs
• For Employers
• Meet the Team
• Peer Career Advisors
• Social Media
• Career Services Policies
• Walk-Ins & Pop-Ins
• Strategic Plan 2022-2025

Master’s Student Resume Samples

Your resume is individual to you, your experiences, skills, and education. These sample resumes are not intended to be used as a template. The job/internship description defines the content of the resume; therefore, you will have more than one resume as you apply for various opportunities. Using action verbs , providing context/details, describing transferable skills, and including results/impacts in the bullet points of the experience section are key elements to an effective resume. In addition, it is important to think strategically about who will be reviewing your resume.  

The sample resumes below show both strengths and areas for improvement, which are listed to the right of the document. For more information and assistance with writing an effective resume, we recommend that you view the formatting checklist and resume resources below. We also have online resume books connected with career fairs , so be sure to upload yours in advance of the relevant fair. Finally, we encourage you to schedule an advising appointment on our Handshake platform to have your resume reviewed by Career Services.

Here are some general formatting guidelines to get you started with the formatting. Remember to always be consistent throughout the document:

• Your margins are at least 0.65” on all sides and your font size is at least 10pt.
• Your section headers are all spelled correctly (spellcheck does not automatically check words in ALL CAPS).
• You have provided your official degree (e.g. “Candidate for Master of _____”).
• You have included cities and states for each experience and formatted them consistently. (Make sure locations are listed in the same place for each experience and use two-letter state abbreviations).
• All your experiences have dates, including months or seasons, and are formatted consistently. (Be especially mindful of alignment, spacing, how you abbreviate months, and dashes: – versus – ).
• How to Write a Resume (Beyond Graduate School platform)
• How to Modify Your Resume for Each Job (Beyond Graduate School platform)
• 5 Resume Tips to Get You Started
• 10 Ways to Improve Your Resume Today
• How to Write Effective Resume Bullet Points
• Making the Most of Targeted Resume to Robot-Proof Your Resume
• Resume Tool Lesson on Big Interview

Also be sure to check out our Career Services YouTube Channel for more videos on resumes!

Resume Sample Type

Master of environmental studies (mes).

Key Features:

• One page with good, consistent formatting
• Clear descriptions within the bullets and uses good action verbs to describe the skill/responsibility/project
• Includes result/impact/outcome when possible
• Dates placed on the right-hand side to keep the reader’s focus on the position title and experience – not when it was done

Advice we might give for this resume:

• Include quantifiable elements that help to make the experiences more tangible and specific for the reader to understand
• Include relevant coursework under the master’s program if the courses are related to the job position/field
• Add a “graduate student” entry to the professional experience section to highlight key coursework or student projects, and the specific skills used to do them

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Key Features for MPH resume:

• 2 pages due to extensive experience and background
• Clear descriptions within the bullets and uses good action verbs to describe the skill/responsibility/project.
• Includes Presentations section given the nature of the field and if applicable for a research based role

Advice we might give for this MPH resume:

• Move the dates from the degrees in the Education section to the right side (so that it is consistent alignment with the dates in the other sections)
• Include relevant coursework under the Master’s Program in the Education section
• Include a Summary Profile at top of resume to help give overview and highlights of experience

Master of Behavioral & Decision Sciences (MBDS)

• Put the Education section above the experience section since student is still enrolled in the master’s program
• Add volunteer, leadership, or extracurricular experience if relevant to the position

School of Engineering & Applied Science

Master of Architecture

Click here for the design resume guide.

• One page in length
• Clear descriptions within the bullets and uses action verbs to describe the skill/responsibility/project
• Organizes the skills section by category
• Includes Activities (Extracurriculars) section
• Highlights honors/awards
• Include result/impact/outcome when possible
• Use different action verbs in the experience section (the same verbs were used a few times)

Master of Landscape Architecture

Key Features

• Includes Leadership Experience section
• Highlights competitions/awards
• Make sure font style is consistent throughout the resume (there are currently two different font styles being used)

Master of City Planning

Advice we might give for this resume

• Add volunteer, leadership, or extracurricular experience as a separate section if relevant to the position 

Master in Law

• Include quantifiable elements that help to make the experiences more tangible and specific for the reader
• Includes Leadership Section
• Dates placed on the right-hand side to keep the reader’s focus on the position title and experience– not when it was done
• Include relevant coursework under the master’s program if the courses are related to the job
• position/field
• Include result/impact/outcome for each position (when possible)
• Instead of just having descriptions of what was done under the experience section bullet points, describe the transferable skills in action

For more info on how to write a resume, click her e

8 Retail Cashier Resume Examples for 2024

Creating a resume for a retail cashier job? This article includes example resumes and practical advice. Learn what hiring managers look for, how to highlight your skills, and ways to stand out in the retail job market. Each example shows good practices and strategies to get noticed.

• 28 May 2024 - 4 new sections, including 'Education section ordering', added
• 28 May 2024 - 6 new resume templates, including Prospective Retail Cashier, added
• 26 May 2024 - Article published
• 23 May 2024 - Resumes approved
• 21 May 2024 - First draft complete

  Next update scheduled for 05 Jun 2024

Here's what we see in the best resumes for retail cashier roles.

Show Impact Using Numbers : The best resumes show impact using numbers. Common metrics include checkout speed , daily transactions , customer satisfaction ratings , and error-free transactions . Numbers make your impact clear.

Include Relevant Skills From The Job Description : Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are POS systems , inventory management , cash handling , barcode scanners , and basic math . But don't include all of them, choose the ones you have and are mentioned in the JD.

Show Responsibility Handling Money : Employers look for phrases like handled cash and balanced register . Show you can manage money responsibly.

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Retail Cashier Resume Sample

Education section ordering.

Place the education section at the top if you are new to the workforce or recently graduated. Employers will see your qualifications immediately.

If you have significant work experience, put the education section below your work history. This order helps to show your job skills first.

Highlight customer service skills

For a role as a cashier, display your customer service skills prominently. Mention any trainings or courses related to customer interaction.

Include examples of how you handled difficult customers or improved customer satisfaction. These specifics will make your resume stand out.

Ideal page length

Aim for a one-page resume. This is good for entry-level and mid-level candidates. Employers prefer short resumes.

If you are a senior-level candidate, two pages are fine. Include only relevant experiences to keep it concise.

Junior Retail Cashier Resume Sample

List technical competencies.

Cashiers use point-of-sale systems. List your experience with these systems or any other relevant software. Mention how quickly you can learn new systems.

Also, highlight any experience with inventory management. Employers value cashiers who can handle multiple tasks efficiently.

Senior Retail Cashier Resume Sample

Grocery store cashier resume sample, retail cashier with supervisory specialization resume sample, prospective retail cashier resume sample.

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Quick links

Retail cashier, resume sample #1, resume sample #2, resume sample #3, junior retail cashier, resume sample #4, senior retail cashier, resume sample #5, grocery store cashier, resume sample #6, retail cashier with supervisory specialization, resume sample #7, prospective retail cashier, resume sample #8, additional resources, questions get in touch.

Accounts Payable Accountant Resume Example for 2024

Create a standout accounts payable accountant resume with our online platform. browse professional templates for all levels and specialties. land your dream role today.

Are you an experienced Accounts Payable Accountant looking for a new job? Look no further! Our Accounts Payable Accountant Resume Example is here to help you create a standout resume that will impress potential employers. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out in the field, our resume example provides the perfect template to showcase your skills, experience, and qualifications. Let's get started on landing your dream job!

We will cover:

• How to write a resume , no matter your industry or job title.
• What to put on a resume to stand out.
• The top skills employers from every industry want to see.
• How to build a resume fast with our professional Resume Builder .
• Why you should use a resume template

What does an Accounts Payable Accountant do?

• Process and code invoices and expense reports
• Prepare and perform check runs and wire transfers
• Reconcile accounts payable transactions
• Assist with month-end closing procedures
• Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures
• Provide support for audits and financial reporting
• Communicate with vendors and resolve any discrepancies or issues
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What are some responsibilities of an Accounts Payable Accountant?

• Processing and recording all accounts payable transactions
• Reconciling vendor statements and resolving any discrepancies
• Ensuring timely and accurate payments to vendors
• Maintaining and updating accounts payable records
• Assisting with month-end and year-end closing procedures
• Responding to vendor inquiries and resolving issues
• Adhering to company policies and procedures related to accounts payable
• Participating in internal and external audits related to accounts payable

Sample Accounts Payable Accountant Resume for Inspiration

Personal Details

• Name: John Doe
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 123-456-7890
• Address: 123 Main Street, City, State, Zip

John Doe is an experienced Accounts Payable Accountant with a strong attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy. He has a proven track record of managing financial transactions, processing invoices, and resolving discrepancies in a timely manner. John is skilled in data analysis and is adept at collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure the timely payment of vendor invoices and the maintenance of accurate financial records.

Work Experience

Accounts Payable Accountant XYZ Company, City, State Dates of Employment

• Processed a high volume of vendor invoices and expense reports accurately and efficiently.
• Resolved invoice discrepancies and issues with vendors and internal departments.
• Assisted with month-end closing and reporting processes.
• Generated and analyzed accounts payable reports.

Bachelor of Science in Accounting ABC University, City, State Graduation Year

• Proficient in accounting software and ERP systems
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks

Certifications

• Certified Accounts Payable Professional (CAPP)

English (Native Proficiency)

Resume tips for Accounts Payable Accountant

Creating a perfect, career-launching resume is no easy task. Following general writing rules can help, but it is also smart to get advice tailored to your specific job search. When you’re new to the employment world, you need Accounts Payable Accountant resume tips. We collected the best tips from seasoned Accounts Payable Accountant - Check out their advice to not only make your writing process easier but also increase your chances of creating a resume that piques the interest of prospective employers.

• Highlight relevant experience in accounts payable and financial accounting
• Showcase proficiency in using accounting software and ERP systems
• Demonstrate strong attention to detail and accuracy in processing invoices and payments
• Emphasize ability to reconcile accounts and resolve discrepancies
• Include any certifications or professional development related to accounting or finance

Accounts Payable Accountant Resume Summary Examples

Using a Accounts Payable Accountant Resume Summary or Resume Objective helps to quickly grab the attention of potential employers by highlighting your relevant skills and experience. It provides a snapshot of your professional background and career goals, making it easier for hiring managers to see why you are a strong candidate for the position. Additionally, including a summary or objective can help you stand out among other applicants and increase your chances of getting an interview. For Example:

• Proficient in managing accounts payable processes and procedures
• Experience in overseeing vendor relations and resolving issues
• Skilled in reconciling financial statements and ensuring accuracy
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and regulations
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment

Build a Strong Experience Section for Your Accounts Payable Accountant Resume

Building a strong experience section for an Accounts Payable Accountant resume is crucial as it demonstrates the candidate's proficiency in handling financial transactions, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring accuracy in financial records. A robust experience section showcases the candidate's ability to handle various accounting tasks, use relevant software and tools, and improve operational efficiency, thereby increasing the likelihood of securing a rewarding job opportunity. For Example:

• Managed accounts payable functions for a team of 15 employees
• Processed invoices and purchase orders with 98% accuracy
• Reconciled vendor statements and resolved any discrepancies
• Distributed monthly expense reports to department heads
• Assisted with month-end closing processes
• Prepared weekly check runs and ACH payments
• Implemented cost-saving initiatives for supplier contracts
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to improve workflow efficiency
• Developed and documented accounts payable procedures and policies
• Trained new employees on accounts payable software and processes

Accounts Payable Accountant resume education example

An Accounts Payable Accountant typically needs at least a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. Some employers may also prefer candidates with a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation or other relevant certifications. Strong analytical and organizational skills are also important, as well as proficiency in accounting software and Microsoft Excel. Continuous education in accounting and finance is often necessary to stay updated with industry regulations and best practices. Here is an example of an experience listing suitable for a Accounts Payable Accountant resume:

• Bachelor of Science in Accounting, XYZ University - 2015
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - 2017
• Advanced Certificate in Financial Management, ABC Institute - 2019

Accounts Payable Accountant Skills for a Resume

Adding skills to an Accounts Payable Accountant's resume is important because it helps to demonstrate the candidate's proficiency in relevant software, financial analysis, and attention to detail. These skills show that the candidate can effectively handle invoicing, vendor communication, and financial record-keeping, which are essential responsibilities of an Accounts Payable Accountant. Additionally, having a diverse skill set can make a candidate more competitive in the job market. Soft Skills:

• Attention to Detail
• Communication Skills
• Time Management
• Problem Solving
• Organization Skills
• Adaptability
• Critical Thinking
• Analytical Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Financial Analysis
• Microsoft Excel
• Account Reconciliation
• Vendor Management
• Invoice Processing
• Expense Reporting
• Payment Processing
• Journal Entries
• GAAP Knowledge

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing an Accounts Payable Accountant Resume

In this competitive job market, employers receive an average of 180 applications for each open position. To process these resumes, companies often rely on automated applicant tracking systems, which can sift through resumes and eliminate the least qualified applicants. If your resume is among the few that make it past these bots, it must still impress the recruiter or hiring manager. With so many applications coming in, recruiters typically give each resume only 5 seconds of their attention before deciding whether to discard it. Considering this, it's best to avoid including any distracting information on your application that could cause it to be thrown away. To help make sure your resume stands out, review the list below of what you should not include on your job application.

• Not including a cover letter. A cover letter is a great way to explain why you are the best candidate for the job and why you want the position.
• Using too much jargon. Hiring managers do not want to read a resume full of technical terms that they do not understand.
• Omitting important details. Make sure to include your contact information, educational background, job history, and any relevant skills and experiences.
• Using a generic template. Take the time to customize your resume to the job you are applying for. This will show the employer that you are serious about the position.
• Spelling and grammar errors. Always double-check your resume for typos, spelling mistakes, and grammar errors.
• Focusing too much on duties. Make sure to include accomplishments and successes to show the employer that you are a great candidate.
• Including personal information. Avoid including any personal information such as age, marital status, or religious beliefs.

Key takeaways for a Accounts Payable Accountant resume

• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and procedures
• Experience in processing accounts payable transactions accurately and efficiently
• Proficiency in using accounting software and ERP systems
• Ability to reconcile vendor statements and resolve discrepancies
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities
• Knowledge of tax codes and regulations related to accounts payable