It’s that time of your life again\u2014time to write a resume<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We’ve covered how to include work experience on a resume<\/a>, achievements on a resume<\/a>, and skills on a resume<\/a> already. Even hobbies and interests<\/a> and other resume sections<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, what about education on your resume?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the summer of 2020, entry-level jobs were down 68% due to the pandemic<\/a>. However, with the world starting to open up again, you’re going to want to make yourself stand out amongst the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And, how do you write an education section better than the others?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nWhat Information to Include in a Resume Education Section? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
First, state your college or university’s name. Often schools will have a well-known program, and if you’ve participated in it, employers may be more interested in moving you through to the interview process. Furthermore, if there are any alumni from your school working at the companies you’re interested in, it might be easier to network with them<\/a> and get your resume viewed by a hiring manager. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your university location is also worth noting when you try to get an internship<\/a> or campus part-time job<\/a> during the school year. If you’ve graduated and no longer live near your university, add your current address to your resume. Employers might ask for it on the application anyway because they may want someone who lives near the office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related Read<\/strong>: Researching Companies Before Writing a Resume<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Optional Educational Information <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are a few other pieces of information you can include to give potential employers a better sense of who you are as a person. You can also utilize these areas to showcase your transferrable skills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Never lie about any of the information on your resume. Your employer will eventually find out about it, either when they conduct your background check or assign a task involving a program you said you could use. By doing so, you could jeopardize your credibility in the workplace or your chances of getting hired. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. GPA and Honors<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first one is your GPA, which you might not want to\u00a0include if it’s lower than 3.4. The reason why you don’t need to\u00a0mention it is that companies don’t always value your GPA<\/a> over the experience you’ve acquired during your academic career. If yours isn’t that high, you can focus on other\u00a0awards or achievements.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related Read<\/strong>: Listing Interpersonal Skills on a Resume<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Extracurricular Activities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another example would be if photography is your hobby and you put it to use by taking photos of big events like weddings, birthday parties, or fundraisers. Potential employers will see that you dedicated enough time to photography that it ended up becoming a freelance job<\/a> or weekend job<\/a>. Hobbies highlight your hard work and consistent effort when it comes to learning new things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related Read<\/strong>: How to Plan Your Career Path<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Study Abroad<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, if living in another country allowed you to become proficient in another language, it’s worth mentioning. According to NBC News, multilingual employees<\/a> are becoming more coveted because the economy is globalized now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Certificates <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related Read<\/strong>: Best Resume Tips and Advice<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Examples of How to Write Education on a Resume <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you are going for the minimum amount of information in the education section of your resume, it should look like this: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Rutgers University | New Brunswick, NJ | Bachelor of Arts \u2014 English | 2017-2021<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
However, if you want to add more background information regarding your education, you can do so by formatting it like this: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- University of Massachusetts | Amherst, MA | Bachelor of Science \u2014 Biology | 2016-2020<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- GPA: 3.9 \u2014 Magna Cum Laude<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Editor in Chief of The Massachusetts Daily Collegian <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Studied Abroad in Madrid, Spain <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Related Read<\/strong>: How to Ask for a Recommendation Letter<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where to Put the Education Section on a Resume<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The less work experience you have, the higher your education should be on your resume. Any professional work experience, like former internships<\/a>, you might have should go on the top of your resume. Afterward, you can put your college education. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You don’t need to add your high school degree once you get your Bachelor’s degree because employers can assume you have your GED. You’ll likely find this extra space helpful because when you apply for entry-level jobs<\/a>, your resume should only be one page long. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you attend or recently graduated from high school, place it at the top of your resume. If you’ve held any summer jobs<\/a>, part-time ones, or you’ve done some volunteering, you can list that experience afterward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related Read<\/strong>: Putting a College Minor on a Resume<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to List Education in Progress on a Resume<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Just because you haven’t completed the coursework for your degree yet, doesn’t mean you can put your higher education on your resume. There’s just a few tweaks you need to make to let employees know that you are still in school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the date, write what year you expect to graduate. Also, state what degree and major you are pursuing at the moment. If high enough, you can also put your current GPA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There’s a chance that you’ve already earned a certificate for a software program or led a major project presentation so far in your academic career. Maybe you’ve even taken a course that was practically a mini-internship. Listing the classes relevant to the experience companies are looking for is a strategic way to prove that you have what it takes to work in the real world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related Read<\/strong>: How to Write a Resume with No Work Experience<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Progress Education Section Example<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Current students should put down both their high school and college education. Since you haven’t finished getting your degree and your GPA isn’t set in stone, employers want to see how you’ve done academically in the past. Your education section should look similar to this: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- San Diego State University | San Diego, CA | Bachelor of Arts \u2014 Accounting <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Expected Diploma, 2022<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Current GPA: 3.7<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Coursework: Fundamentals of Finance, Managerial Accounting <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Certificates: Excel Certification <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fairview High School | Boulder, CO | 2014-2018<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Graduated Valedictorian <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- GPA: 4.5 <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Clubs and Sports: Debate Team and Varsity Golf <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Related Read<\/strong>: How to Get a Job Without Experience<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Begin Drafting a Resume With an Awesome Education Section <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The education section isn’t a one size fits all situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It differs depending on where you are in your academic journey, as well as the activities and courses you’ve participated in while being there. With several new tips under your belt and some examples to go by, you should be all set to list your education on a resume. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next, get working on writing a great cover letter<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Rutgers University | New Brunswick, NJ | Bachelor of Arts \u2014 English | 2017-2021<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n