How to Put Education on a Resume

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How to Put Education on a Resume

There are many ways to put your education on a resume. Education is one of the most important aspects of any job application, and it’s always good to know how you can find the best list. 

Some people prefer listing their educational accomplishments in reverse chronological order: high school, college, graduate degree. Others would instead use a functional format that shows their skills and knowledge based on what they’re looking for in a job. This way, you can highlight your skills as precisely as possible without worrying about which type of education will be the most impressive to the employer. Some jobs require specific degrees or certifications; others may not care about formal training but instead, want someone who has enough experience with specific software programs or project management tools already under their belt.

There is no right or wrong way to list your education on a resume, but it’s important to know what your options are and which type of format would be the most effective for you in particular; this will help ensure you make a good impression on hiring managers and recruiters. 

Here we offer some advice about how to list education on a resume.

1. What are the Different Types of Education on a Resume? 

Education can be shown in different forms on your resume: school name, degree, and credentials. Here we’ll show you each method and how to use them properly:

School Name: Listing your school’s name is recommended when you have recently graduated from a university or college. This will provide your potential employer with the institution’s location and degree offered, as well as a point of reference for your coursework.

Degree: Including your major is necessary if this information isn’t included in your work experience. Listing both a major and minor can help round out your education section, showing that you have a well-rounded background.

Credentials: You can also include additional degrees or certificates that you received from your schooling. This is additionally beneficial for rounding out an education section and giving the employer another point of reference to determine if they’re qualified for the role.

2. How to Add Education to Resume?

Education can be added in two ways, at the bottom of your resume under “Education,” or if you have recently graduated, it can be attached to a job experience section.

· Education Section at the bottom of Resume: This is the most common way for education to appear on a resume. List your high school first, then college or university with dates attended, and degree received. If your degree is in progress, indicate this by writing “In Progress” below the expected graduation date.

· education Attached to a Job Experience Section: If you have recently graduated from a university or college, a preferred method of putting education on a resume is attaching it to a job experience section. This way, the information will be more focused, and you can list the degree first, followed by any relevant courses that will reflect well on your work experience.

· Diploma or Degree: If your Education is from a non-traditional school, attach a copy of your diploma or degree from the institution. If you don’t have a copy to include in your application, contact the school and ask for a letter confirming that you graduated from their institution.

3. Why Put Education on Your Resume?

Education is essential to include on your resume because it shows the employer that you are qualified for a position and well-rounded. This section will show what type of school you attended, your degree received, and any additional courses or degrees to help with your work experience.

School Name: Employers want to know which university you attended to determine what type of schooling you have. They will also gauge your level of education and compare it with their degree or diploma.

Degree/Degrees: Providing your major(s) clearly shows that you have a bachelor’s degree – or higher – and have a good understanding of your field.

Credentials: Including additional degrees, certificates or courses will help round out your education section and show the employer that you have a well-rounded background for this position. In some cases, it can even compensate for a lack of experience.

4. What Employers Look for in the Education Section of Your Resume

Ever wonder what employers want to see in the section of your resume that says education? Well, we’ve got you covered! 

After all, the education section is the perfect place for a future employer to get an idea of who you are and how qualified you might be for their specific position. So, here’s everything they need to know: 

  • -First and foremost, make sure that any school or university name is spelled correctly. It seems like a small detail, but it can have a 
  • Massive impact on whether someone will want to read further into your qualifications. The same goes for degrees earned – check them twice before submitting them as part of your application package. You never know when a typo could cost you a job opportunity.
  • Include your degree, any relevant coursework, and certificates you have earned. 
  • If your Education doesn’t relate to the position you are applying for – even if it is a stepping stone – do not include it. You might not understand why this step is necessary, but we can assure you: employers appreciate that you are focused on what you can do for their company. They will see your willingness to work towards career advancement as a positive trait.
  • Do not list the courses that you took but did not pass. It is highly unprofessional and shows that you lack dedication or motivation.
  • If there are any gaps in education, it’s lovely to include them. When asked about them, say that you were taking courses in a related field before obtaining the job you are applying for. For example, if you took some time off from school to make money for your family or to take care of a loved one, don’t be afraid to disclose this information. Just make sure that you can articulate why this education gap was beneficial to you in the long run.
  • If you are currently enrolled in school, make sure to include this information! It is always better to show an employer exactly how dedicated you are to your present and future career.
  • If you do not have a degree or any certificates earned, consider enrolling in a course or short program that will help you develop your skills and knowledge. It could be something as simple as an online “Introduction to …” course or a full university degree – the important thing is that it will give you the tools to earn the job you want one day.
  • Don’t just list the school you went to – be sure to include any honors, awards, or scholarships that came as a result of your hard work.
  • The last thing an employer looks for in the education section is keywords. That’s right – not only do they want to see what type of degree and courses you have taken, but they also want to know what you have specifically studied as well as your areas of expertise. So, as a general rule of thumb: use the exact words throughout your resume whenever possible.
  • Last but not least – try and avoid being too specific. Even though it is always good to show an employer exactly why you would be perfect for the job, it is also essential to maintain some mystery. Remember: employers want to know what you can do for their company, not what they did for you!

5. Examples of How to Put Education on Resume

There are a few different ways to put education on your resume. You can list the name of the school, the degree you earned, and the year you graduated. You can also list the name of the school, the major you studied, and the year you graduated.

However, this is not the only way to list education on your resume. You may choose to list your education by life experience and continuing education and training as a professional speaker, for example. If you didn’t finish high school or college but have relevant job experience and further training, see below for how you might want to write “education” on your resume in this case.

To make it easy for you to write education on your resume, here are some examples of how to list education on a resume when you had completed high school or college and when you didn’t finish school but have relevant job experience and training instead.

Education examples by level:

  • School and degree: 

Example 1: the University of Illinois at Chicago (Bachelor of Science, 2010) 

Example 2: the University of Illinois at Chicago (Master’s Degree in Social Work, 2014)

  • School and major: 

Example 1: California State University, Long Beach (English; Cum Laude, 2013)

Example 2: California State University, Long Beach (History; Minor: Business Administration, 2013)

  • Experience and life examples: 

Example 1: University of Texas at Austin (Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, 2012 to Present) 

Example 2: University of Texas at Austin (History Major; Honors College Student; 3.9 GPA; Community Service Society and Volunteer Programs Coordinator, 2013 to 2015) 

Example 3: the University of Texas at Austin (History Major; Minor: Business Administration; Graduated with 4.0 GPA in May 2012)

  • Continuing education and training as a professional speaker: 

Example 1: National Speaker’s Bureau-San Diego Chapter (Certified Professional Speaking Coach, January 2014 – Present)

  • If you didn’t finish high school or college but have relevant job experience and further training, you might want to list your education under “continuing education and training” instead. Here are some examples of how you might do that: 

Example 1: Continuing Education and Training (Certified Professional Speaking Coach; January 2014 – Present) 

Example 2: Continuing Education and Training (Graduate of the National Speaker’s Bureau-San Diego Chapter, January 2014 – Present) 

Example 3: Continuing Education and Training (Independent Consultant; January 2013 – Present / Coaching Career / Professional Speaking Business)

No matter how you decide to list your education on your resume, make sure your information is clear and easy to read.

6. Conclusion 

There are many ways to put education on a resume. You can list the courses you have taken, your grades, or even mention any honors bestowed upon you for academic achievement. There is no one way to write a conclusion paragraph about putting education on a resume because every person will be different, and their achievements may vary as well.

About the author

Indu has been educator since last 10 years. She can find all kind of scholarship opportunities in the USA and beyond. She also teach college courses online to help students become better. She is one of the very rare scholarship administrator and her work is amazing.