Your Resume: Addressing Education

It would seem that the area of listing education on your resume would be very straightforward. In many cases it is. But, in most cases, how you address education is an issue fraught with obstacles and complications. And, how you address these issues can make or break your job candidacy.

“Maybe you believe that the education section isn’t important, especially if you have solid work experience behind your back. However, it’s more than just listing schools and degrees. It’s your chance to show how your academic journey has shaped your career.”

Here, we will discuss many areas which need to be addressed.

Where Education Belongs on Your Resume

This is a fairly simple proposition. If you are a recent graduate, place education above your experience, as your recent graduation is the key selling point. But, if you have not graduated in recent years, place education below experience, as this experience is now your key selling point.

Dates of Education: How to Address

As a general rule, you should only put the date (year) of graduation if you have graduated within the last two to three years. But, if it has been any longer, I do not recommend listing your date of graduation, as putting the year will allow potential employers to figure out your age. Of course, listing the age for a recent graduate is expected, as you are young enough so that age discrimination does not come into play. I have seen many clients with resumes listing graduation in the 80’s and 90’s, which automatically allows them to discriminate about your age.

Did You Graduate or Not

This is a key area. Many make the mistake of saying that you did graduate when they have not. Honesty is everything on a resume, and if you are not honest, it will come back to bite you. You may get a job from your resume, and it is later revealed that you did not graduate, this is grounds for dismissal, plain and simple. Also, people talk to each other, and this could ruin your reputation.

The best way to address not getting a degree is to simply say your major, without saying whether you graduated or not (such as “majored in English). This may be slipping and sliding, but it is also honest. You may be asked at an interview if you graduated, but, by then, you’ve gained the interview and the resume did its job.

In the end, NEVER say you’ve gotten a degree when you have not. There are ways to address the fact that you did not graduate, and still be honest and a bit evasive at the same time.

If I have a Four-Year Degree, Do I Also List an Earlier Two-Year Degree?

This is an interesting question. If you have gotten a bachelor degree, and earlier obtained an associate degree, you have options. In general, if your associate degree was only for general prerequisites, I recommend not listing it, as it does not sell you above your four-year degree.

But, if you had a special major or course of study at an earlier school, something which would be beneficial to your job candidacy, you should list the earlier school.

In the end, it’s a judgment call. If there is something that you studied earlier at a junior college which you feel would help sell you for the position, list it. Otherwise, you can leave the junior college studies out of your resume.

Do I Include my GPA

This can be another tricky one. In general, I only recommend listing  GPA if it is excellent, say 3.5 to 4.0. This shows accomplishment, and is a good selling point.

But, if you have anything less than 3.5, I do not recommend listing it. By not listing a GPA which is under the great accomplishment level, you place information which may not help you in your candidacy, but may in fact hurt you. In the end, withholding information here can be to your benefit.

Rule: Only list your GPA on your resume if it was excellent or exceptional.

Do I List Foreign Schools

This can be another tricky one. If the school in question has a degree, you should list it. If, on the other hand, you have a more recent American-based degree, and the foreign school did not have a degree, you can leave it out. Of course, if you got your degree at the foreign school, it should be listed.

Many people leave off the location of foreign schools because they fear that this will hurt their candidacy, and they simply list no school or no school location. This is a mistake, as it tells potential employers that you are being evasive, which is a major mistake.

So, in general, list foreign schools and their locations if you’ve obtained a degree. Otherwise, you can omit if there is an American-based school where you’ve studied more recently.

Do I List My High School?

This is another judgement call. Could be yes or could be no. As a general rule, once you have obtained a degree, it’s not important to list your high school.

Still, there may be compelling reasons to include high school. For one, you may have some solid honors in high school, such as valedictorian, you should include high school. Same for such things as athletic achievements.

Also, if that’s the only education you have, it must be included, of course. But, in most cases, if you have a college degree, normally you do not need to include high school.

What if My School has Lost its Accreditation?

This is an interesting one. For one, for-profit trade schools have been closing in droves during the last decade, so this is not an unusual situation. Frankly, even if the school has lost its accreditation, or has closed, it still needs to be included in your resume, because you studied, and you obtained your degree or certificate.

Whether or not the school lost its accreditation or has closed is not a factor in your credentials. You attended, you studied, and you succeeded in your studies.

Yes, the school is no longer accredited or is out of business, but this does not reflect on you, and the school and your work should absolutely be included in your resume.

If I Attended the School at Different times, should this be addressed?

No! Many people have gone to certain schools, and have done so at different times. It bears no relevance to note the different dates of your studies. Listing that you have attended at different times only works against you – showing a possible red flag to potential employers.

Do I Mention if I Attended on Scholarship?

Absolutely! This is a very strong selling point, and it should also be included on your resume. It shows achievement, and a strong work ethic.

Do I Include Extracurricular Activities

This, again, is a margin call. You may have had many activities in school, but not everything should be included. Only list activities if they show leadership and teamwork skills.

Things like Class President and the like should definitely be included, as they show great achievement.

But, unless the activity is a strong selling point, it should not be included.

The Best Extracurricular Activities To Include on Your CV

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