Your education is undoubtedly one of your most significant assets.
It is a standard requirement on a resume, and every employer expects to see it.
It enhances the qualifications of a job applicant, attests to their trained intellect and capacity to learn, and perform tasks, and adds credibility to the entire resume.
The education section should be done carefully and include only relevant information. Using your education on your resume with care can be a crucial factor in being called for a job interview.
This article aims to guide you on how to maximize the impact of your education on your resume by providing guidelines and examples.
How to Highlight Your Education in a Resume
In general, educational information follows the job experience section or the key skills section in a resume – towards the end of your resume.
However, the place where you insert the information about your education depends on your work experience.
If you have just graduated and/or don’t have many years of experience, your greatest asset is obviously your education – not your experience.
Therefore, in this case, place the education section before your work history section.
Here are some pointers to consider:
- If you have solid work experience, list it after the employment section in your resume.
- If your education is a stronger asset than your job experience, list it first.
- If your education is highly relevant to your new position, you may consider listing it first.
- If you have no employment experience, but have a degree or training in that field, list your education first.
In summary,
Education can be listed at the beginning of the resume or at the very end. The choice depends on how it is related to your present job search.
1.) Recent Graduates
It is common practice for recent graduates to list education at the beginning before the experience section. “Recent” means with less than 2 years of work experience.
2.) Career Changers
For similar reasons, career changers, or experienced people looking for positions in new fields want to list any relevant education in that field at the beginning of their resume.
Other Qualification to Include
You may consider including any coursework, related training, or certifications you have received. If you received licenses, include the name/type of the license.
You can also include a separate section called “Training & Certification”, “Special Training”, or “Professional Licenses”, etc. If you have achieved honors, make sure to include it.
What if you didn’t complete an education program?
You can still include the name of the program with portion of the course duration that you did complete. Write your area of study and the name of the institution. If you intend to graduate, list the program as mentioned followed by the date you intend to finish.
In conclusion,
Any training or classes may count as education. It can be higher education, but on-the-job training and seminars are also relevant.
You may also list “skilled labor.” This is work which requires no higher education. Anyone without college diplomas, but with experience in skilled labor fields (electrical or computer repair, construction, factory assembly lines, types of nursing, etc.) can see these jobs and skills as education.
Resume Education Format
- Indicate where the degree was received.
- Use initials or spell it out: B.A. / Bachelor of Arts.
- Dates might give the impression of being too young (inexperienced) or too outdated.
Don’t give dates if they do not really contribute to your resume. Let your education and experience speak of your relevancy to the current market. - Include GPA if it’s above average, and if you have any honors.
- Put the most recent degree first.
- If you haven’t yet received your degree or still haven’t finished studies, indicate what and where you study and when you expect to finish or receive the degree.
- Coursework should be specified only if highly relevant.
EDUCATION
[University Name], [Location]
Bachelor of Science in [Area field], May 1995
Significant Coursework (optional, only if you find it important): [a], [b], [c] etc.
Resume Education Section Examples
1st example EDUCATION section
1995-1998 , B.S. in Business Management , Yeshiva University New York, NY
Certified Public Accountant, CPA, New York State
2nd example EDUCATION section
2002-2005 Graduate Diploma in Law BBP Law School London
2000-2003 BA (Hons) Economics University of Manchester
Courses
2006-2007 Professional skills courses Allen & Overy LLP
Client care, legal grammar, negotiating deals, advocacy training, financial markets and business skills (including exam).
2007-2008 Legal Practice Course College of Law Moorgate
firm specific course, electives in mergers and acquisitions, banking and debt finance and public companies.