How to list education on a resume
Employers pay close attention to the education section on resumés. It tells interviewers about your background and helps them see how well you fit the job. If the education on your resumé relates to the position or includes the necessary credentials, it can help you stand out from other job seekers. Let's talk about how to organize your education on your resumé and where to place it. We'll also go through some examples of different education scenarios. Here's what we'll cover:
Information to include in your resumé education section
When listing your education on your resumé, some key details hiring managers look for include:
- the name of your school
- the location of your school
- the degree, diploma, or certification you obtained (if applicable)
- your field of study
- your graduation date or year (if relevant)
- any relevant honors or academic recognition, activities, coursework, or other achievements you attained
Keep the education section concise, ideally around 15 to 30 words. Customize your formatting to match the requirements of the job you are applying for.
If you are a recent graduate, provide more details, like courses you completed that directly relate to the role. Ensure your education section features prominently since it's your primary experience.
If you have prior work experience, keep the education history brief. Highlight your job history for increased focus. Hiring managers may then focus more on your work history.
When you talk about school, try to highlight what you've learned. You want to show why you're a good fit for the job so employers can see how skilled you are and how you can help them.
How to list completed education on resumé (with examples)
Here are some tips and resumé education section examples:
For recent graduates (1–5 years)
If you have recently completed your undergraduate education, place this section before your work experience on your resumé. Include important details such as your attendance dates, any academic honors you obtained, and your general weighted average (GWA) if it's above 3.4.
Honors include graduating summa cum laude or magna cum laude. These aspects provide context and highlight your academic accomplishments.
If you attended several schools, focus on the one in which you were most prominently involved. This helps employers better understand your educational background. It also emphasizes your active participation in that institution.
Here's an example of a resumé education section:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City (2017–2021)
Cum Laude
GWA: 3.7
For experienced professionals (five or more years)
If you have five or more years of work experience, place your professional experience above the education section to highlight it. This highlights your recent achievements and work history, which employers often prioritize over academic background. Consider omitting specific details such as attendance dates and your GWA.
If you have completed graduate-level education, mention these degrees first in your education history. This includes a master's degree or doctoral degree. This means listing your Ph.D. before your master's and bachelor's degrees. Here's an example to illustrate:
Ph.D. in Psychology, University of the Philippines
Master of Science in Neuroscience, University of the Philippines
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Bulacan State University
For graduates with multiple degrees
If you possess multiple degrees or a double major, the organization and formatting of your resumé’s education section becomes crucial. Prioritize your most recent degrees or those most relevant to the job, depending on your specific situation.
Create separate entries for each degree to present them effectively. For each degree, include details such as the degree title, field of study, university name, and graduation year. Here's an example of how to list education for graduates with more than one degree:
- Master of Business Administration
Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City
Graduation Year: 2020
- Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering
University of the Philippines, Quezon City
Graduation Year: 2017
These formatting guidelines can showcase your educational achievements. They also enable potential employers to grasp the breadth of your academic background.
How to list incomplete or in-progress education on a resumé (with examples)
If you're currently pursuing your undergraduate degree, consider including the projects you've worked on and your expected graduation date. This allows potential employers to see your studies, relevant coursework, and notable achievements.
If you're a student, put your resumé education section below your contact information and summary statement. Include the name of the institution and the degree you're pursuing. Additionally, you may want to consider adding these details if applicable:
- Honors or academic achievements
- GWA (if it is 3.4 or above)
- Extracurricular activities or organizations
High school and college education examples
Here are some education section examples for high school and college students.
High school education example:
- Manila Science High School | Manila, Philippines
Expected graduation date: 2023 (GWA: 4.6)
Science Club President
Chess Club Member
College example:
- University of the Philippines | Quezon City, Philippines
B.S. in Computer Science candidate | Diploma expected 2023
Prominent Coursework: Data Structures, Algorithms
Honors: Member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
UP Academic Scholarship
Incomplete education example
If you have unfinished education, you can still list relevant coursework you completed. Including certifications can also enhance your resumé education section. Consider including a separate section for your relevant professional development. This information can be valuable to employers if it relates to the job requirements. Below are a few examples with unfinished education or professional achievements included.
University example:
Ateneo de Manila University | Quezon City, Philippines
Completed Coursework: Calculus, Financial Accounting, Marketing Principles
Certification example:
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority | Manila, Philippines
Certification in Web Development, 2019
How to list education on a resumé if you don't have a degree (with examples)
If your highest level of education is high school, list high school education in resumé like this:
- Santa Rosa Senior High School, Santa Rosa City, Philippines
Graduated in 2005
When deciding what else to include on your resumé, focus on showcasing your skills and achievements. You may include honors, awards, extracurricular activities, or relevant high school subjects.
Tailor your resumé to the job description. Add activities that align with the keyword skills listed in the job description. You can include coursework descriptions. Also consider adding classes that are relevant to the position you're applying for.
But what if you didn't finish your high school education? Here is an example of how to structure your education section:
- Santa Rosa Senior High School, Santa Rosa City, Philippines
Attended school from 2003 to 2005
Simply write the name of your school and the years you attended.
Tips for your resumé education section
Here are some simple tips for your resumé education section:
- Provide clear and accurate information: Double-check all details, including school names, dates attended, and degrees earned, to ensure accuracy. Mistakes can compromise your resumé's credibility.
- Prioritize the most relevant degree: If you hold multiple degrees, highlight the one that aligns best with the position you're applying for. This directs the hiring manager's attention to your most relevant qualifications.
- Use action verbs when describing your education: Instead of simply listing your educational details, use strong action verbs to portray your skills and academic achievements.
For instance, avoid saying you ‘studied accounting.' Instead consider writing that you, ‘applied advanced accounting principles to analyze financial data.’
Conclusion
The resumé education section is crucial for displaying your qualifications to potential employers. It gives insight into your academic background, skills, and accomplishments. To make this section impressive, provide accurate details. Emphasize the most relevant college degree and use action verbs in descriptions.
Now is a great time to review and update your resumé’s education section. Add any new courses or certifications you've completed to accurately reflect your accomplishments. A well-crafted education section can set you apart and enhance your prospects in the job market.
FAQs
Here are answers to several frequently asked questions on the topic of education on your resumé:
- Should you list all your subjects under the education section of the resumé, or is just mentioning a degree's title good enough?
Just mentioning the degree title is usually enough in the education section of your resumé. Listing all the subjects may be unnecessary and could make it look cluttered. Employers often prioritize the bachelor's degree you obtained over individual coursework.
There are exceptions to this rule, especially for specialized technical or professional roles. In these cases, you can mention relevant courses as bullet points or create a separate section called "Relevant Coursework." Always consider the job requirements. Customize your resume to showcase the most pertinent information.
- Should I put education first on my resumé?
The general recommendation is to prioritize the education section by placing it at the top of your resumé. This is particularly beneficial if you're a recent graduate or if your education directly aligns with the job you're applying for. Highlighting your education first draws attention to your qualifications for the hiring manager.
Alternatively, if you possess extensive and more relevant work experience, it may be appropriate to prioritize the work experience section. In this case, position your education section below your work experience. Emphasize your professional background while still providing essential information about your education.
- Should I include my high school education on my resumé?
If you've already graduated or have a lot of relevant work experience, there's usually no need to list your high school. However, if you've recently graduated from high school, it can be included in your resumé.
- Should I list my GWA on my resumé?
Including your GWA on your resumé is neither standard nor necessary. The primary focus of a resumé is to showcase your skills, experiences, and qualifications. However, there are circumstances where including your GWA could be beneficial:
Academic positions: For a job in academia or research where your GWA is relevant to the role, it may be appropriate to include it.
Fresh graduates: If you're a recent graduate with limited work history, including a high GWA can highlight your academic achievements.
Competitive programs/scholarships: If you're applying for highly competitive programs (such as study abroad programs) or scholarships where academic performance is a crucial evaluation factor, a high GWA can improve your chances of being chosen for the program/scholarship.
- Should I include online courses or certificates in my resumé education section?
You can add online courses or certificates, particularly if they align with the job you are applying for. These achievements highlight your ongoing learning, skill development, and commitment to professional growth.
Here are some tips to make a positive impression when including online courses or certifications:
Title and provider: Mention the course or certification name along with the platform or institution
Relevance: Prioritize courses directly related to your target job or industry
Certification date: Include the completion date to indicate the recency of your achievement.
Depending on your resumé's structure, you can feature online courses in a separate “Education and Certifications” section or integrate them into your education details. But ensure that you include only credible and recognized courses to boost your resumé's value. If you have completed several courses, consider listing only the most pertinent ones.
