how to write school qualification in resume

How to List Education on a Resume in 2022 (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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Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.

Mandela has left us with a compelling line that no one in the 21st century can ignore.

Currently, every student is concerned about getting a higher-level education to get a pleasant job and live a prosperous life.

Every year nearly 2 million students get a bachelor’s degree in the United States . So, how can you present yourself better than others in this competitive market?

You must showcase your education on resume elegantly to beat your competitors during the recruitment process.

We are helping you make that happen by answering these below-given queries:

• Should I put my GPA on my resume?
• How to list education on resume?
• How to list minors on a resume?
• When to include coursework on resume?
• Should you include high school on a resume?
• How to list education in progress on a resume?

How to List Education on a Resume?

Crafting your resume education section can be tricky. However, you can follow the tips below to frame an impressive education section on your resume.

The two possible places for your resume education section can be:

• Before your work experience section
• After your work experience section

Education on a Resume Before Your Work Experience Section

You should put your resume education section before your work experience section in the following cases:

Just graduated :

• You can consider putting your resume education section before your work experience if you just graduated from high school or college.
• It helps you build a good resume because you will have more educational background than work experience.

Starting a new education :

• If you were a professional and recently planned to get a new degree, it is advisable to put your resume education section first.
• Your new degree should be relevant to the job description.

An academic resume :

• Your resume education section should be positioned above the work experience for a fresher or academic resume.
• For academic posts/ fellowships, education matters more than the outside work experience.

Education on a Resume After Your Work Experience Section

You should put your resume education section after your work experience section in the following cases:

Seasoned professional :

• As a seasoned professional, you should put your resume education before your work experience section.
• Employers find your educational experience more relevant throughout your career.

High school graduate/fresher :

• If you are a fresher or high school graduate, you can place your resume education before your work experience section. Employers will look for your educational experience in your career.

How to List Education on a Resume: Educational Information

Choosing the correct resume education template is the first step you must take while building your resume.

You can follow the tips below to write an effective resume education section:

• Put your highest degree first.
• Follow reverse-chronological order for other degrees.

If you are a distinguished professional with tons of experience, it is not recommended to add your high school information.

The information that must add to your resume education section is:

• Degree you received
• Major/minor
• Institution Name
• Location of your institution (Area, Country)
• Graduation Year

Following are the resume education examples:

• BA in English LiteratureCambridge University | Cambridge, US | 20173.8 CGPA
• Stanford University | Chicago, US | 2013Masters in Computer Science4.0 GPA

In case you're lost, here is a quick resume education checklist:

• Spell out your degree as “Master of Science” or use the initials “MSc.”
• Use periods to separate the initials "B.A." or leave them like "BA."
• Write the name of your major as “MA in Business Administration” or separate your degree with a comma from your major as “MA, Business Administration.”
• Arrange the information based on importance. If your degree is not directly related to the job description, focus on the university rather than the course.
• Make sure your format remains consistent for all your resume education section entries.

How to List Education on Resume for High School Students

High school students should place the resume education section at the beginning of their resume.

No Work Experience

For a high school resume with no work experience, you can list the following parameters:

• GPA (if above 3.0)
• Relevant Courses (Courses that are related to the job profile)
• Honors/Academic Achievements
• Clubs/Organizations (Extracurricular activities)
• Positions of Responsibility

You can highlight the essential steps in your academic career by creating a “Major Achievements” section. It gives a detailed look at your skills and abilities.

You can include volunteer work also. It presents you as an active person. You appear as someone who learns quickly and manages a job efficiently.

Also Read: How to create a resume for your first job?

Some Work Experience

If you have actual work experience, you can keep the education section concise.

Having work experience means you have hands-on experience in your working area, which keeps more importance than any other theoretical knowledge.

Hence, if you have work experience, you can focus on detailing that in your resume rather than the education section.

How to List Education on Resume for College Students

• As a college student or recent graduate, place your resume education section at the beginning of your resume.

The length of your resume section depends on the amount of work experience you have

For the lack of work experience, make your resume education stand out, follow the following steps:

• Convey your organization skills, charisma, interpersonal ability, and active lifestyle
• Include your activities like clubs, major group projects, or your participation outside of academic life

If you already have work experience, focus on it more than the resume education section. It shows that you are familiar with the pressures and expectations of the professional world.

• Keep your resume education section to a minimum
• Feel free to list your activities, but emphasize your work experience

How to List Education on Resume for Working Professionals

If you are a working professional, your resume education section is just evidence of your degrees.

• You should place your resume education section below the Professional Experience section
• Be straightforward, do not include unnecessary details
• State your educational degree with your field of study and best achievements
• Try to avoid positions of responsibility, awards, recognitions
• Try to include a vast skill set, list your training, certifications

How to List Education on a Resume: Special Cases

What if you fall into the category of professionals who bore the brunt of misfortune for reasons beyond their control?

You don't have to worry. Here's a list of what you can do:

How to List Education on Resume for a Degree in Progress

If you are still in high school/or pursuing a degree, write:

Expected to graduate in 2022

You can use the following phrases to describe your education in high school resume:

• In progress
• Expected + year
• Expected Graduation + year
• To be completed + year

How to List Education on a Resume for an Unfinished Degree

• If you did not graduate high school, write the name of your school and the years you attended as Attended school from 2013-15
• If you did not finish a college or university level degree, write the credits you managed to get as Completed 63 credits toward MA in Physics

Awards, publications, and training

• If you want to show off your skills and achievements, add honors, awards, training, certifications, licenses, extracurricular activities you did during high school.
• Pick activities that illustrate the keyword skills listed
• Mention all the honors programs like graduated with Spanish honors (summa cum laude or magna cum laude), if any
• Acceptance into campus, national, or international honors societies
• List your publications under your degree
• Include a coursework description and add relevant classes to the job profile.
• A course of study that has a particular skillset
• List your recent extracurricular roles/ positions of responsibility
• Avoid adding controversial activities (political or religious)

Highlighting Soft Skills

If you have specific soft skills, you can add them to your resume education section.

Mention your participation in any activity that highlights these skills.

Following is the list of skills employers prefer on a high school resume:

• Ability to Work on a Team
• Communication Skills (Written + Verbal)
• Problem-solving Skills

Optimizing Resume Education for an ATS

Many companies have started using the Applicant Tracking Systems. This software helps an organization filter out undesirable applicants. This program goes through resumes and looks for keywords specific to the job profile.

If you want your resume to make it past an ATS, you need to keep in mind the following things:

• Use a clean format
• Ensure that this program can read your full resume
• Minimize the use of tables, graphs, or pictures
• Use keywords relevant to your job profile

Also Read: What are resume action words and power verbs?

Education Resume Template

A well-written education should follow this order:

Let's say that this is your educational background:

• Degree: Bachelor of Science in Electrical Science
• University: Harvard University
• Location of University: Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Graduation year: 2022

In addition to this information, you can also put this add-on information to make your education section more meaningful:

• Relevant Coursework : Business Communication, Systems, and Circuits Designing, English Language Studies, Analog, and Digital Designing, Embedded Systems
• Extracurricular Activities : Captain of the Tennis Team

When you incorporate all that information in your resume, it looks something like this:

Dos and Don’ts while listing Education on Resume

You can practice and avoid the below-given points while listing education on resume for your next job search:

Resume Education FAQ

1. Should I put my GPA on my resume?

You should put the GPA in your resume if it is >3.5 or if the hiring organization asks for it.

2. How to list education on a resume?

The necessary educational details are:

• Institution
• Contribution

3. How to list minors on a resume?

The education on a resume often includes minors if it's relevant to the target job. In that case, you may include it under a sub-header of "Coursework.”

4. When to include coursework on resume?

Include coursework as a part of education on a resume only when:

• The candidate is a fresher
• It is required in the target job description
• It is relevant to the target job

5. Should you include high school on a resume?

Your resume education section can only include high school data when:

• High-school qualification is relevant
• To state high-school extracurricular activities/achievements

6. How to list education in progress on the resume?

To list continuing education on a resume, you should:

• List your education section at the top
• Write your dates in "Date - Present" format

Key Takeaways

You can keep these points in mind while framing your resume to make it impressive and technically stronger than your competitors:

• If you already have work experience, focus on it more than the resume education section
• Put your highest degree first . Follow reverse-chronological order for other degrees.
• If you are a working professional, your education on a resume is just evidence of your degrees.

Go to Hiration’s 360-Degree Career Platform , which has 24/7 chat support, and get professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries.

You can also write to us at [email protected] .

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Learning About Your Resume Education Section: Tips and Tricks

When skimming a resume, one of the few sections recruiters really pay attention to is your education.

What’s the reason for this?

All the details in your education section say a lot about you and your background, which in turn says a lot about how you are suitable for the role you’re applying for.

When you’re applying for a job and your educational qualifications or training credentials are required to complete the job, your education section is going to bring your resume to the top of the pile.

In this article, we’re going to show you the different ways to lay out your education section and give you some resume tips for the education section.

Keep reading to find out how to:

• Write your education section when you’re a professional.
• Include your high school education , even if you didn’t get your diploma.
• List your college background if you’re still studying, never finished, or hold a degree.

Along with plenty more important information.

Let’s do this…

What Goes Into Your Resume’s Education Section?

The most vital information that you must include is any degrees you have and the schools you went to. You have to make sure you include:

• School or institution name
• Degree subject and level
• Location of the school
• Which years you attended

Using that as your starting point, you can add in any academic honors you got, scholarships you received, and any other relevant and applicable achievements.

When it comes to the numbers…

Add in your graduation dates if they weren’t all that long ago. Don’t include the dates if it’s been a fair few years since you were at school.

Pro-Tip Stick with the truth on your resume, as obvious as it sounds. If you get caught out lying after you get the job, you’re likely to get fired.

How to Write Resume Education Section?

You might have an unusual or interesting educational background, but whatever the nuances, a hiring manager still wants your education section to be laid out so it’s easy to navigate.

Here are the steps you need to follow when formatting your resume:

• Name the school or education provider, then type of school if it’s not obvious, and where it is
• Give the time that you went there or your graduation date, with a clear note if your studies are completed, in progress, or not finished
• Add your specialization and the level of qualification, certificate, or diploma, if it applies to you
• Note your field of study and what your major and/or minor were, if applicable
• Where it’s relevant, include your GPA , too

It should look a little something like this:

It’s important to note that you should list your education starting with the most recent achievements.

If you’ve got both a master’s and bachelor’s degree, the master’s comes first on the list and then you note down your bachelor’s.

It’s as easy as that!

Pro-Tip If you’re lucky enough to have a lot to pack into your education section, you can use subsections to keep it ordered. Use headings like “Awards and honors”, “Certificates”, and “Professional qualifications”.

Where Does the Education Section Go in Your Resume?

Does your education go above your work experience if you’re still studying but have got some jobs under your belt?

Sounds like a tough call.

We’ve got the answer to where your education section will land.

• For college students or recent graduates , you should highlight your education nicely and high on your resume. The interviewer will see your academic achievements even if you’ve not worked much yet.
• When you’re changing careers and you’ve expanded your education to make the shift, make sure your education section comes before your work experience.
• For those with strong and impressive work history , you can look to add the education section lower down in your resume.

The optimum place to drop in your education section is going to depend on what you’ve achieved academically, as well as how solid your work experience section is.

Pro-Tip To get to grips with resume writing quickly and effectively, and learn how to target it to your skills and profession, check out our resume writing guide .

Does My GPA Belong In My Resume?

If your college years were a blur of frat parties, beer pong, and borrowing class notes, should you be including your GPA on your resume?

There’s a simple rule…

If your GPA isn’t impressive, leave it off.

Meaning that…

A student or someone freshly graduated with a not-so-great GPA, but other accolades and achievements, can leave off their GPA. Instead, look to include something else significant, like “Jones Scholar” or “Hockey team captain”. After you’ve been out of school for a few years, you don’t even need to add in your GPA at all.

To give you a feel for what it can look like:

Pro-Tip Once you’ve been out of school for a few years, there’s no need to include your GPA on your resume, no matter how impressive.

What to Do When I Only Finished High School?

Writing a resume education section for high school students is a little different.

If you didn’t study at a college, what you include in your resume education section should be pretty easy to complete. You just need to write down the name of the high school that you went to, where it was, and the dates that you attended.

For someone whose highest education is high school, your education section will look like this:

When you’ve only got a high school to include, you can show off some of the skills you’ve picked up and other achievements.

These can include school honors, academic awards, and participation in extracurricular activities, as well as any jobs you held when you were at high school.

Check out this example for some ideas:

Wrote 16 articles for your high school newspaper? Played defense on the football team and got to the state finals? These things are definitely worth mentioning in the education section of your resume.

It all comes down to this…

You want to talk about anything that shows you’re enthusiastic about work and you have a great work ethic.

Pro-Tip If you got a professional license or certificate after you graduated high school, you definitely want to include it if it’s directly relevant to the job you’re applying for. Remember also to use an appropriate resume format. For details about how to choose the right resume format for you, check this out.

What if I Didn’t Finish School?

When it comes to writing a resume education section for current students or people who didn’t finish their education, here’s how you can handle it.

This is the process:

Include a list of any coursework that you completed

You can include a different section called “Professional development” where you can highlight how you continued your vocational education.

For unfinished college education, you can still add details to your resume to show how far you did get:

• Write the number of credits earned and the major you were pursuing, so: Completed 120 credits toward Bachelor of Science, Organic Chemistry, 1997-2000.
• Students still at college should include this fact on their resume, for example: Bachelor of Engineering, Electrical Engineering. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Anticipated graduation date: June 2021

This is also a good place to add details of any coursework that has already been completed and talk about classes you’ve taken that have relevance to the job you want to land.

Pro-Tip Keep everything in your resume relevant to the post you’re going for, in the education section, and everywhere else. Just recently we shared about how to write a strong resume objective and get your resume contact information section right.

It might seem pretty straightforward to write your educational history for your resume. All that you need to do is list the schools you’ve been to in chronological order and all in well.

Simple, but hold up…

There are some things that you need to make a choice about in the education section of your resume. You need to think about where it goes and how to make it stand out to your prospective employer. Always make sure you have the following information listed:

• Institutions name
• Type of degree
• When you graduated, or will graduate

You can also add extra details if it’s appropriate for your situation, such as:

• Academic achievements and honors
• An impressive GPA score
• Coursework relevant to the role
• Extracurricular roles, organizations, and activities

When you’re making choices about what to add, keep it honest and think smart .

Looking at where to add your education to your resume, you need to consider where you’re up to on your career path and what you want your future employer to notice most .

• When your education is the most relevant and prominent feature of your resume, it goes near the top
• When you’ve got plenty of industry experience, put this high up and your education below it

With this one, there are no solid rules that you can get completely wrong when you’re looking at your education section in your resume. For someone who doesn’t have any education, training, licenses, or certificates, it’s not the end of the world because you can just leave it out completely. There are other sections of your resume that will show off who you are and what you can do. Check out our guide to writing a killer resume skills section .

Last of all…

To make sure you’ve got everything listed that you need and you’re not making any glaring errors, it’s a great idea to use our well-structured resume templates . Or just start creating your CV using our online resume editor. Sign up now 👈

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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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Home » Job Tips » Resume Writing Tips » Learn How to Write Educational Qualification in a Resume

Learn How to Write Educational Qualification in a Resume

In this competitive job market, your resume acts as your hall pass for grabbing the attention of potential employers which is why knowing how to write educational qualifications in a resume is a game-changer. Your qualifications highlight your skills, knowledge, and commitment to learning.

Whether you’re a recent graduate stepping into the professional world or a seasoned professional eyeing career advancement, this blog will help you showcase your educational journey the right way.

Table of Contents

How to Write Educational Qualification in a Resume for Freshers & Experienced?

Whether you are a fresher or experienced professional, clarity and simplicity in presenting information are vital. Here are some common tips on how to mention educational qualifications in a resume

1. Formatting

Create a separate section for your educational qualifications. This section usually comes after your professional summary or objective statement and before your work experience. Keep it clean, and organized, while making sure to list things in reverse chronological order.

2. Provide Degree Details

Spell out what degrees you’ve earned. Don’t just say you have a degree in something. Mention the university’s name, where it is located, and the year you graduated.

For example , “Bachelor of Science in Computer Science | Noida University in Uttar Pradesh India | May 2022”

3. Include GPA

Your GPA will give a clear idea of how well you did in your college/university. It shows your dedication and skill in your studies, which can be important, especially if you’re new to the job market.

4. Add Relevant Coursework

Your coursework proves that you understand that the job requires more than just grades. It shows you have practical knowledge in specific areas related to the job, demonstrating your expertise beyond basic education.

5. Mention Honors and Awards

Your honors and awards show your outstanding accomplishments. It proves your skills and dedication, making you stand out to potential employers. These recognitions boost your credibility increase your chances of getting noticed and open new doors to better job opportunities.

6. Add Certifications

If you’ve got certificates or licenses in your field then that’s great, as it proves that you have specialized skills. It also makes your resume stand out, showing employers you’re qualified for specific roles and dedicated to improving yourself.

7. Give Thesis or Project Details (if any)

It shows how you have applied your learnings in real-life situations. This makes your qualifications stronger and helps employers see how you can contribute to their team with your practical experience.

8. Mention MOOCs

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) demonstrate your ongoing learning and adaptability. It reflects your commitment to improving your skills and staying updated with industry trends, making you a more valuable candidate in today’s dynamic job market.

9. Highlight Language Proficiency

In today’s global job market employers value language proficiency as it signifies the potential to connect with clients or teams from various backgrounds.

10. Mention Industry-Specific Skills

Employers want someone who can adapt easily, and by showcasing these skills, you demonstrate your readiness to step in and make an immediate impact. For example, if you’re aiming for a tech job, highlight programming languages or software you’ve mastered during your university days.

Examples of Educational Qualifications in a Resume

Keeping the above points in mind, here are some examples of how to put educational qualifications in a resume:

For Freshers 

Here are some templates to help freshers craft effective education qualification summaries for their job applications:

Example 1 – IT Sector Job

Here’s a sample of how to write your qualifications for an IT sector job.

Example 2 – Research Position

Here’s an example of how to write your qualifications for an academic research position.

Example 3 – Finance Sector Job

Here’s a sample of how to write your qualifications for a finance job.

For Experienced Professionals 

Here are some sample templates to highlight your academic achievements alongside your expertise:

Example 1 – Manager

Here’s how to write your qualifications for a managerial role if you are an experienced candidate pursuing an executive MBA. 

Example 2 – Human Resources

Here’s a way to draft your qualifications for an HR job.

Example 3 – Civil Engineering

Here’s a sample of how to write your qualifications for a civil engineering job

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Creating an effective resume is important, but pitfalls abound. Here are key tips for a standout resume:

• Grammatical Errors and Typos- Spelling and grammar mistakes might seem minor, but they can significantly impact your chances of getting hired. Take time to proofread your resume use spell checker tools or ask someone else to review it too.
• Keep It Relevant- Don’t oversell yourself on your resume; honesty is key. Exaggerating your achievements is a red flag for employers. Keep it real, as authenticity speaks louder than inflated claims.
• Using a One-Size-Fits-All Approach- Avoid using a generic template for every job application. Create your resume differently for each position by emphasizing relevant skills and experiences that align with the job description.
• Use a Professional Email Address- Make sure your email address sounds professional. Consider creating a new one if your current email is too casual or outdated.

In this article, we’ve covered how to write educational qualifications in a resume. We have learned how to format our educational qualifications according to our level of experience. We have also observed some common errors to avoid while formatting our resume. So, as you embark on your next professional journey, remember to showcase your degrees, honors, and coursework with a touch of enthusiasm.

What’s the most challenging part of drafting your educational qualifications on a resume? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.

For additional insights on creating an impactful career objective, check out this resource on writing career objectives in a resume .

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Shailja Kaushik has been an Editor with Internshala since March 2023. She loves creative writing and experimenting with different forms of writing. She has explored different genres by working with journals and radio stations. She has also published her poems and nano tales in various anthologies. She graduated at the top of her class with Bachelor's in English and recently completed her Master's in English from the University of Delhi. Her experiments with writing continue on her literary blog.

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How to Write Educational Qualifications in a Resume

Last Updated: February 8, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by Kent Lee . Kent Lee is a Career and Executive Coach and the Founder of the Perfect Resume, a career development services company based in Phoenix, Arizona. Kent specializes in creating customized resumes, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters, and thank you letters. Kent has over 15 years of career coaching and consulting experience. Previously, he has worked as a Career Consultant for Yahoo and has worked with thousands of clients including Fortune 500 executives from around the world. His work and career advice have been featured in ABC, NBC, CBS, Yahoo, Career Builder, and Monster.com. This article has been viewed 14,625 times.

Whether you are a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, finding the best way to incorporate your educational qualifications into your resume can be daunting. However, there are some simple rules and extra tips that can help. Start by creating educational qualifications section entries that contain everything an employer might want to know. Then, organize the information to suit your needs. Finish up by formatting the section so it will look as appealing as possible.

Creating Entries for the Schools You Attended

• For example, write University of Southern California instead of USC or State University of New York Plattsburgh instead of SUNY Plattsburgh.

• For example, if you attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, then you could list it as “Miami University, Oxford, OH.”
• It’s okay to include an abbreviation for the state where the school is located, such as NY for New York.

• For example, if you completed an Associate’s of Science degree in Computer Science, then list this in the line right below the school’s name and location. You can abbreviate the degree type, such as A.S., B.A., B.F.A., M.A., etc.
• If you graduated in May of 20007, then write “May 2007” next to your degree.
• If you have not yet graduated, include something like “Anticipated Graduation: May 2020.”

• For example, you might include a bullet that reads, “Cumulative GPA: 3.65” or “Major GPA: 3.49.” Then, if you have awards or honors to mention, list these in separate bullets, such as “Awards: Graduate Excellence Award, 2017” or “Honors: Dean’s list Fall 2015-Spring 2018.”

Tip : Be sure to list the exact same GPA on your resume as the one that shows up on your official school transcript. Contact your school’s registrar if you’re unsure what your GPA is.

• If you completed an honor’s thesis for your Bachelor’s degree or a thesis or dissertation as part of a graduate degree, you can also provide the title of your project. However, it’s best to mention this only if you think it will be relevant to the employer, such as if it's related to the job description. [10] X Research source
• For example, if you minored in accounting, and the job description mentions responsibilities that you learned in your minor, then mentioning it would be a smart move.

• For example, if you’re applying for a Nursing position in a hospital where you already completed clinical rotations or an internship, then mentioning this in the education section may be a boost for you. It can show that you have experience with the job even though you have not worked as a nurse yet.
• Or, if you are applying to a job where speaking Spanish is a preferred skill, mentioning your semester studying abroad in Spain might help to set you apart from other candidates.

Organizing Your Information

• For example, if you graduated from your Bachelor’s degree program in 1995, but you went back to school for a Master’s Degree in 2010, then your Master’s degree entry would go first followed by your Bachelor’s degree.

• For example, keeping your GPA above a 3.5 could demonstrate to employers that you are hard-working. Being an active member of your major’s honor society can show dedication to your field.

Tip : Note that this depends on how much experience you have in your field. For example, if you have worked in your field for over 10 years, the relevant work experiences you have had will be much more valuable to an employer than your education.

• For example, you could list your degree and then Penn State University, State College, PA followed by a line listing your degree. Then, just omit the date you graduated.

Formatting the Section

• Educational Background, which might work well for listing a degree from a university.
• Education and Certifications, which might be good for listing a degree and a special certificate or license you earned.
• Education and Training, which is a good title to indicate experiences like internships.
• Education and Professional Development, in which you could include workshops and other professional development events you’ve attended along with your degree.

• Good font types for resumes include Arial, Book Antiqua, Helvetica, Calibri, Cambria, and Garamond. [18] X Research source

• Another simple way to make text bold is to hold down “ctrl” and “B” at the same time.

Tip : Resume templates will do all of this formatting for you, but they can also be restrictive. Try making your resume with a template if you want to see what it would look like. If you don’t like it, you can always transfer the text to a blank page and format it how you want.

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ Kent Lee. Career & Executive Coach. Expert Interview. 2 April 2020.
• ↑ https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/resumewriting/education-information/1/
• ↑ https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/career/resources/marketing-materials/resume
• ↑ https://career.louisiana.edu/students-alumni/resume-writing-tips/basic-categories-include-your-resume
• ↑ https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5331-best-resume-fonts.html

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16 High School Student Resume Examples Created for 2024

High School Student Resume

• High School Student Resumes by Experience
• High School Student Resumes by Role

High school is one of the best times of your life, but it can also be one of the most difficult when looking for your first or second job. You’ve got to fill out applications, prep for interviews, and write your resume.

Using ChatGPT for resumes  is a cool idea, but can still feel daunting and overwhelming. We’ve all been there, and up until now, there hasn’t been a good resource for high schoolers to help  craft compelling resumes or student cover letters .

We’ve analyzed countless high school resumes to discover  what would get students job interviews in 2024 . While you may want to start with a simple  resume outline , keep reading to find 16 high school resume samples (plus writing tips) that are jam-packed with essential techniques and tricks.

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• If you choose to use a template, make sure you adjust the  resume’s formatting  so that your text is big enough to read with one-inch margins on the side.
• However, you should write your bullet points like you would for a job. Highlight any responsibilities and accomplishments relevant to the job you’re applying for now.
• For example, if you’re looking for a job in sales, emphasize your ability to work in groups and create a good customer experience.

High School Student No Experience Resume

• If you don’t have work history, include projects and volunteer work instead. Treat them like a job and write bullet points according to your responsibilities.
• Make sure you start every bullet point with active verbs, and always double-check for typos. You’ve got this!
• Include your unique skills, your desired position, and the company you hope to work for to make your objective stand out from the rest!

First Job High School Student Resume

• To remedy that problem, add a  skills section on your resume  to give hiring managers an important overview of your strengths.
• To really highlight your abilities, incorporate the same skills in your work experience, too. Demonstrate how you used your skills to better your workplace, and you can’t go wrong!
• Adding stylistic elements like color and different fonts can help you show a bit of your personality (and make your resume more fun to read). 

Experienced High School Student Resume

• Remember, your resume is a highlight reel, so you need to include what’s most important (like your achievements and relevant metrics). 
• You can adjust your layout, font sizes, and margins, but keep it easy to read. 
• Use a bit of color and some fun fonts, provided it still looks professional. You’ve got this!

High School Senior Resume

• This statement must align with the potential employer’s needs, proving you understand the job requirements and have gone the extra mile to address doubts about your capabilities. As for experiences that might have prepared you for the job, workshops and volunteering programs you’ve participated in are prominent candidates.

Out of High School Resume

• Leisure activities range from soccer, hiking, drawing and sketching, robotics, and photography to journalism. But how do they fit in the picture? Well, a penchant for drawing and sketching could reflect creativity and an eye for detail, while journalism stints could hint at strong communication and critical thinking.

High School Graduate Resume

• Right from the first line of the career objective, you can see the candidate’s passion and willingness to work in this field. Notice how Serai’s love for photography is clearly backed by a previous project for a school newspaper.
• These details will be perfect when Serai’s ready for the AI cover letter generator to bring her application to perfection.

High School Student Scholarship Resume

• Your high school student scholarship resume should vividly show your positive contributions to noble causes, such as offering ADLs to seniors, and emphasize your impact on society.

High School Student College Application Resume

• Ensure your high school student college application resume shows your practical and classwork achievements that emphasize your grand vision to make a positive contribution to society.

High School Student for College Resume

• Before hitting “submit,” always  check your resume  for typos and other minor errors. It’s amazing what you can miss during your first few reviews.
• A good GPA can demonstrate, at least in part, your willingness to work hard. We’d recommend including your GPA only if it’s above 3.5, but anything above a 3 is a good average.

High School Student for Customer Service Resume

• Including projects, volunteer work, or club memberships is a great way to add value to your resume.
• Your resume should focus on your abilities and other activities you’ve engaged in that will show your value.
• Read the responsibilities and qualifications to look for key skills and tasks. Then, incorporate some of those skills and responsibilities into your high school student customer service resume.

High School Student Internship Resume

• For example, if the job description lists responsibilities like writing and analyzing data, include “written communication” and “data analysis” in your skills section.
• One easy way to customize your resume is by focusing your  resume skills  on things that apply to the internship. 
• Make sure you keep your resume professional and to the point. You don’t want to include anything too personal about your beliefs, religion, politics, or personal information.
• For example, you can list “volunteering at local church,” but avoid saying “fasting every weekend.” It doesn’t show off relevant skills and is a bit too forward for a resume.

High School Student Office Worker Resume

• Good projects include anything that demonstrates your leadership abilities or desire for knowledge. Senior projects, personal blogs, or even being on a sports team are all good examples to include!
• Add work experience directly under your contact information and name, then add any relevant projects if you’re low on space. 
• While there are plenty of  resume writing tips , your resume should be as unique as you. Don’t get so caught up in what you think you “should” do that your resume is bland and cookie-cutter. 

High School Student Sales Resume

• Numbers demonstrate your value, and they’re useful tools for the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) software that hiring managers use to sort through job applicants.
• Trust us, and incorporate metrics into at least 80% of your bullet points!
• For example, you know that different  resume templates  can change your resume’s appearance, but different templates can also stretch or streamline your content. 
• Mess with multiple templates to see what your content will look like—you may find a template that allows for more room, or one that allows you to highlight your skills better.

High School Student Athlete  Resume

• Think of a time you proved you were the MVP on your team—Did you lead your team to a championship? Perhaps you made the game-winning shot in a crucial, nail-biting game?

High School Student Music Resume

• When you include hobbies like songwriting or your interest in classical music in your high school student music resume , it conveys to your recruiter that you’re super dedicated and passionate about your craft.
• You can also include hobbies that are different, too. For example, if you enjoy experimenting with new recipes from around the world, that can show you’re ready to give new genres a whirl or that you understand that music—while art—is still supposed to be fun and adventuresome.

Related resume guides

• Entry Level

10 essential resume skills to showcase your value to employers

by YouScience | Apr 16, 2024 | Blog

Writing a compelling resume involves more than just listing your work history and education. You also need to highlight your skills effectively to stand out to employers. It can be difficult to know what skills to put on a resume, especially if you don’t have much work experience. Below, we discuss 10 essential resume skills and advice for proving your value to potential employers.

What are good skills to put on a resume?

The best skills to put on a resume include a mix of hard and soft skills. Focus on skills that are most relevant to the position you want. Here are some resume skill examples you could include:

Communication skills

Effective communication is a fundamental skill required for almost every type of job. Communication skills include being able to articulate your ideas clearly and listening to others while understanding their perspective.

Active listening skills

Active listening requires paying close attention, asking clarifying questions, and showing empathy to ensure you thoroughly understand what someone is trying to say.

• Interpersonal skills

These skills refer to how well you work with other people. They include collaboration, conflict resolution, and the ability to build connections with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders.

Leadership skills

Even if you’re not in a leadership role, showcasing your leadership qualities on your resume can set you apart from other candidates. Examples can include taking initiative, motivating others, and showing accountability.

Problem-solving skills

Employers value candidates who can think quickly to solve problems. Include times when you’ve identified issues, developed solutions, and implemented effective strategies to overcome challenges.

Computer skills

Nearly every job will require the use of a computer, so experience with computers and software is essential. Make sure to include any specific programs or tools you’re proficient in, especially ones directly related to the job you’re applying for.

Customer service skills

Even if you’re not applying for a customer-facing role, including customer service skills on your resume can still be valuable . These skills demonstrate your positivity, adaptability, communication skills, and attention to detail.

Transferable skills

These are skills that can be used in several different positions and industries. Transferable skills may include teamwork, adaptability, organization, or any other qualities all employers are looking for.

Management skills

Highlighting your management skills is crucial if you’re applying for any management role overseeing projects or teams. Management skills can include examples of delegation, decision-making, and conflict resolution.

Time management skills

Efficient time management shows your ability to prioritize assignments, meet deadlines, and maximize productivity. Employers want to hire disciplined employees who can tune out distractions during work hours.

Hard resume skills vs. soft resume skills

Skills for resumes are either hard or soft skills. Employers typically look for both types of skills on candidates’ resumes.

• Hard skills are specific skills needed to perform the job. These can include technological skills, field-specific education, or credentials related to the job.
• Soft skills include your personality attributes and interpersonal skills. These may include communication skills, leadership qualities, stress management, and problem-solving abilities.

How to list skills on a resume per job type

Tailor your skills to the job you’re applying for to show employers you’re suitable for the job. Here are some hard and soft resume skills examples for different positions:

Digital marketing specialist

Hard skills

• Google Analytics
• Project management systems

Soft skills

• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Analytics thinking

Financial analyst

• Financial modeling
• Data analysis
• Attention to detail
• Creative thinking
• Collaboration

Data analyst

• Python and other statistical programming languages
• Data visualization
• Statistical analysis
• Machine learning
• Time management
• Adaptability

How YouScience helps with building a resume

Related articles.

Check out these articles for more helpful information on optimizing your resume. 

Resume tips for high school students

Resume writing down to a science: How to build teenage girls’ confidence

Getting hired: Five resume tips for students