How to Present Your Education on Your Resume

As one of South Florida’s top employment firms, Future Force can tell you that every element of your resume is just another opportunity for you to stand out in a sea of other job seekers. This includes the Education section.

So what’s the best way to present your academic accolades, and how can you deal with some challenging situations?

Here’s a look at some commonly asked questions and answers related to education on your resume:

Should My Education Go Before or After Work Experience?

It depends. If you have several years of work experience under your belt, then put education after work experience. Hiring managers want to know more about what you’ve achieved while on the job rather than your alma mater and degree.

However, if you’re just starting out, then put your education first. You should also be able to highlight how your degree is relevant for the position by listing related coursework or an independent study project.

Should I Include Things Like Honors, Clubs and Activities?

Again, it depends on your unique situation. For instance, if you graduated with honors, include that next to your degree earned.

For instance:
BS in Business Administration (magna cum laude)

Also, if you were president of a club or organization during your college years that relates to your field or demonstrates your leadership abilities, then you can list that as a bullet point under your degree.

But don’t include a laundry list of all your college activities, especially if you have plenty of work experience to highlight.

Should I Include My GPA?

If you’re a recent grad with little or no experience and you have a high GPA, then by all means, include it. Otherwise, skip it. Hiring managers don’t care about a 10-year-old GPA.

What if I Didn’t Complete My Degree?

You should definitely list any education you have, whether you completed the degree or not. Here’s one way to do that:

ABC College, City, State
Completed 85 credits toward a BS in Business Administration, 2006-2009 

If your academic credentials are lacking a bit, then don’t forget to include any certifications, training courses, or seminars you’ve completed that relate to your field. And be sure to highlight the experience you do have and demonstrate that you have the skills necessary for the job, degree or no degree.

Need More Resume Help?

Let Future Force know. As one of South Florida’s top employment firms, we can help you create a strong resume and match you with job opportunities that are a great fit for you, whether you’re looking for temp jobs or full-time work. Contact Future Force today to learn more.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *