How to Showcase Certifications on a Resume
A perfect candidate for any job is someone who is a mixture of hard and soft skills and full of enthusiasm to perform their professional responsibilities. But a work provider will not be able to appreciate the outstanding personal characteristics of any potential employee if they do not prove to be qualified for the job. And the argumentation should be persuasive — according to Yale School experts, and you have only 30 seconds of your resume reader’s attention to get them interested.
No doubt, one of the most important elements in a resume is including your professional certifications. There is a number of reasons why:
- In some industries like health care system, they are mandatorily required to perform some type of service;
- In case they are not critical, certificates are still a confirmation that you are a well-qualified worker;
- They show that you are willing to grow and perceive knowledge.
But where should you place the information concerning these documents when creating a resume? How to list them properly so that your future boss gets impressed and invites you to a face-to-face meeting? In this article, we will answer these questions.
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What are Certifications?
Generally speaking, certifications are granted by accredited organizations after you have paid a participation fee, took part in a course, and passed an exam to show that you have obtained specific knowledge or skills. Getting certified is normally quite expensive and time-consuming. However, it certainly adds up to your professional reputation.
Types of Certificates
There is a variety. Here are the most common ones:
- NCLEX-RN: a license that serves official permission to perform medical service for nurses and nurse practitioners;
- PMP: you may get this certificate to prove to be a professional project manager;
- PHR: it is given for those specialists who have shown excellent human resources management skills;
- CompTIA A+: you may receive this one if you demonstrate IT-related accomplishments.
- TESOL: this (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) will prove that you have profound knowledge of how to teach English to non-native speakers. You may use it to teach abroad or improve the language skills of foreigners in your country.
Why Do I Really Need to Attach My Certificates to a Resume?
You obviously have to attach a certificate if it is asked by your potential employer. Make sure to visit the official website of the company where you are willing to work prior to submitting your CV. There is quite a big chance that you will find some specific requirements (concerning certificates issued as well).
Another good reason is if you have been working in some industry for quite a long time and have been awarded a certificate recently. This will demonstrate that you are not only an experienced specialist but also someone who is still very well aware of what’s going on in your sphere. It also is a bright marker that you are ready to learn new trends even though there’s a lot you already know.
Some of the certificates you own may not be critically important at first glance but can turn out to be valuable for your employer. If you have some documents proving that you have taken part in some extra courses, it will definitely be an additional advantage.
There is also a possibility that your experience is a little less than the potential boss expects from a new staff member. Still, showing a relevant certificate might become the key factor why you get the job position.
Where Do I Have to Place Them?
There are several options. Critical certifications may be put next to your name. Normally, you will list the certificates you possess either in your resume summary or in a special block near the top. You might also want to show the papers you have been awarded next to your work experience description. Try at least two different ways to organize your resume to see which one looks best.
How to List Your Certificates to Build a Perfect Resume
The methodology of listing your certifications may vary, depending on where you are about to send your CV. We will describe the most common way down below:
- Provide the Complete Title
Your future work provider might not be familiar with the paper you are presenting, so make sure to indicate both its full name and an abbreviation, if there is any. Highlight this first line so that the resume reader will be attracted to learn more about the paper you are describing.
- Input the Host Organization’s Name
Use this line to verify your certificate by submitting the name of the association that has issued the document. If applicant, include the mailing address and the e-mail as well.
- Indicate When You Got It
Even if quite a long time has passed and it seems a bad idea to inform your future boss about the date when you earned the certificate, never hide this info. The employer may want to call the issuing organization and check whether you have really been awarded this document.
- List the Prospective Earn Date
Still studying to get your certificate? Splendid! Specify all the details above and provide the date when you are about to get the paper.
Should I Inform the Employer About All My Certifications?
To cut it short, yes. It is pretty apparent that you must submit all position-related documentation. However, if you own some other certificates, it might be a very good sign for your potential boss. An employee that is skillful and interested in something new, even if the sphere is not a 100% match, is always valuable.
Still, remember some simple rules: the job-critical certifications go first, then include the least important ones, and finish it off with the papers you got through online mentorship and all the similar easy-to-get documents.
The Bottom Line
So, let us highlight the key points one more time:
- Place critical certifications either next to your name or in a special block at the top of your resume;
- Make sure to provide the full name of your certificate;
- Indicate the issuing organization exactly as it is, the misspelling is unacceptable;
- Specify the date when the document was granted to you;
- If you are expecting to get the certificate in the foreseeable future, list it on your resume with the anticipation date;
- Include all the certificates you own, even if they are not completely relevant;
- Never try to mislead your potential employer or lie about the documents you do not really possess.
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