Learn how to list certifications on your resume with these tips and examples

After you earn an advanced degree, you may decide to – or have to, depending on your chosen career – pursue additional certifications. When you take the extra step to participate in continued learning and pass an exam to earn a certification, you will want to add that to your resume.

But how do you list certification on your resume the proper way? How do you list them in a way that gets the attention of the hiring managers that you want? Here, you'll learn just how to do that to prove to prospective employers that you have what it takes to succeed in the position they're trying to fill. 

What are certifications on a resume?

Certifications are credentials issued by accredited institutions, including various associations, boards, schools, and professional organizations. Achieving a certification indicates you have proficiency in a particular skill or have reached a certain level of knowledge or technical know-how in a specific area of expertise. 

To receive a certification, you generally have to do one or all of the following:

  • Prove years of experience

  • Pay a fee

  • Pass an assessment

Some of the most popular certifications that people choose to pursue to further their careers include:

  • Project management certifications: Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or Project Management Professional (PMP)
  • Business analyst certifications: Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) or the IIBA Agile Analysis Certification (IIBA-AAC)
  • Marketing certifications: These include certifications from Google Analytics and Hootsuite for things like social media marketing and SEO strategy
  • Skilled trade certifications: HVAC mechanics and welders who want to be promoted from apprentice to journeyman
  • Accounting certifications: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designations
  • Human resources certifications: Professional in Human Resources  (PHR), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Society of Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM - CP), and Society of Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM - SCP)

Related reading: The really great thing is that while most certifications require a substantial monetary commitment, there are some out there that are free. Check out 7 Free Certification Courses to Enhance Your Resume.

Are certificates worth putting on a resume?

Certifications take time, effort, and, sometimes, money. So you might be wondering if they're truly worth it. The short answer is yes, they definitely can be. However, at the end of the day, it depends on several factors. 

When certifications are worth it

  1. Certifications and licenses indicate you took the time and effort to pursue personal and professional development – it shows you're committed to your career. From that perspective, certifications and licenses can impress prospective employers. 

  2. A relevant certification can set you apart from other job applicants if all else remains equal between you.

  3. It goes without saying that if a certification or license is required by an employer or to work in a particular field, then having the certificate or license is not only helpful but necessary. For example, you can only work as an independent Certified Public Accountant, or CPA, with that specific certification. In most states, certification and licensure are also required to work independently as a Counselor or Social Worker. 

  4. Securing a certification can be beneficial if you want to change careers or land a job with little experience. 

  5. Certifications are a great way to showcase your skills and industry knowledge. 

When certifications might not be worth it

  1. They aren't relevant to your career aspirations.

  2. The cost outweighs the value added to your resume and career in general.

  3. You already hold a required degree or certification that supersedes the certificate you're considering, making it less relevant or necessary to add to your resume.

Overall, when they're worth it, certifications on a resume can boost your job hunt by:

  • Enhancing your resume

  • Setting you apart from other candidates

  • Showing employers that you're a qualified candidate

When to list certifications on a resume?

Even though they're not always required, there are several reasons to highlight certifications as a way to take your resume from decent to excellent. Here are the top five.

1. To meet an employer's requirements

A key reason to include your certifications on your resume is when the employer requires it. Suppose the employer requires a specific certification, and it's not on your resume. In that case, it will likely disqualify your resume from moving forward. Refer to the job description and the company's website to determine what certifications might be needed. 

Since AI has become more integrated into the hiring processes, particularly through the use of applicant tracking systems, it's critical to have the right information on your resume to get past these bots. AI can help you identify important keywords, such as relevant certifications, making it a great tool to use in determining what needs to be included in your resume.

2. To showcase your skills

Your certification could provide valuable skills beyond what's required by the employer. For example, let's say you're applying for an Administrative Assistant position in a project-driven department, and you list your Certified Associate in Project Management, or CAPM, on your resume. In that case, the certification shows that you're knowledgeable in project management in addition to having the required admin expertise, which can set you apart from other candidates. 

3. To make up for a lack of work experience

Sometimes, even with the necessary skills, you might not have all the years of experience that a company requires for a job opening. In that case, your certification could compensate for the lack of practical experience. Plus, many employers like to hire those who are personally invested in their own professional development outside of employment. 

4. To emphasize your industry knowledge

Since some certifications require you to have a certain number of years in a particular field or position, highlighting your certification on your resume speaks to those years of experience and acquired knowledge. If this is the case for your certification, listing it further validates your work experience. 

5. To support changing careers

When changing careers, you need to highlight transferable skills from previous work experience on your resume. You might also seek training and volunteer opportunities to compensate for a lack of direct experience. Another great way to boost your resume is to acquire a certification or two that encompasses the required skills and knowledge needed for your new career path. 

How do you list certifications on a resume?

Now you know why you should include certifications on your resume. Next, and more important, is knowing how to add them. There are specific ways to list certifications on your resume. Here's how: 

  • Title: Include the full title of the certification under the certifications section of your resume. Be sure to spell out any abbreviations or acronyms to ensure the resume reader knows what the certification is and can more easily look it up if needed. 

  • Where you got it: Provide the name of the issuing organization below the title of the certification (or next to it separated by a pipe, comma, or semicolon). This increases the credential's credibility and provides the hiring manager with additional data to confirm the credential.

  • When you got it: You should insert the date the certification was issued, so it's clear how long you've held the credential. Including the year also makes it easier for hiring managers to verify it with the organization that issued it. 

  • If you've renewed it: If your credential expires and requires renewal, add the date it was renewed or the expiration date in addition to when it was issued.

  • Give context, if necessary: An optional choice is to incorporate details about the skills the certification speaks to – or confirms you have. Do this to help the hiring manager see the relevance to the job – but only if you have space for it. 

Should you include certifications in progress?

Yes. If you have relevant certifications in progress, include all the details mentioned above. Use the expected issue date in place of the issued date.

Should certifications go at the top or bottom of your resume?

There are, in fact, several places you can list certifications on your resume. Obviously, the first choice would be to include them in your “Education and Credentials” section, but that's not the only place to put your certifications. 

1. List certifications with your education and professional development

Going with the obvious place first, it's absolutely the right thing to do to incorporate certifications on your resume under a section titled “Education and Credentials,” or, if you want them to have their own spot, you can create a “Certifications” section just below “Education.” 

Example of certifications in an “Education and Credentials” section:

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

Master of Science, Analytics, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2022

Bachelor of Science, Data Science, West Virginia University, 2018

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Cybrary, 2023

Certified Data Scientist, Udemy, 2020

Examples of certifications in a standalone spot on your resume:

Certified Nursing Assistant, City College of San Francisco, 06/2020

Public Notary, WV Secretary of State, Issued: 05/2022, Renewal date: 05/2026

CPR, National CPR Foundation, 07/2021, Expiration date: 07/2023

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), International Information System Security Certification Consortium, 01/2022. Notable skills include: Risk Management, Asset Security, Security Operations, Software Development Security

Examples of certifications in progress on a resume:

Certified Nursing Assistant, City College of San Francisco. Expected completion: 04/2024

CPR, National CPR Foundation. Expected completion: 05/2024

2. In your resume summary

If you hold a certification or license that is considered a major selling point for the positions you're targeting during your job search, you may decide to incorporate this information into your professional summary at the top of your resume as well. For example:

Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) with over 15 years of experience servicing the oil and gas industry. Dedicated to enhancing employee relations at all levels within an organization. Intuitive problem solver and leader, driving growth and best practices while delivering HR services, growth strategies, compensation analysis, and benefits design. 

3. With your contact information

You can take it one step further and incorporate the acronym for your most coveted credentials after your name at the top of your resume. Some examples of including a certification as part of your contact information are:

  • Mary Smith, CPA

  • Ronald Jones, PHR & SHRM-CP

  • Roger Smithson, Certified Medical Assistant

You may need to spell out the acronym after your name if it is something that can stand for more than one thing, as is the case with “Roger Smithson, Certified Medical Assistant.” Simply using CMA could be mistaken for Certified Management Accountant. 

By mentioning your certifications and licenses at the top of the resume and listing additional details at the bottom under a specified certifications section, you're ensuring a recruiter or hiring manager doesn't accidentally overlook one of your key selling points during his very quick look at your resume.

Listing certifications on your resume

No matter which way you slice it, having certifications on your resume can really help you stand out from the crowd. Not only does it prove your skills and knowledge, but the mere fact that you went out and obtained it shows that you're willing to do what it takes to succeed. Either way, you're impressing future employers and stand a better chance of landing the job you want. 

Click on the following link to check out TopResume's library of resume samples, including some that incorporate a license or certification section. When you've added your certifications to your resume, why not send it for a free resume review by one of our experts?

This article was originally written by Amanda Augustine and has been updated by Ronda Suder and Marsha Hebert. 

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