STEP SIX: Education and Training

Education:

Data provided in this section should be prioritized (and included) according to:

1. Your current career level (entry-level as opposed to professional)

    

   
   
2. The purpose of your resume
3. The country in which your resume will be distributed

Your current career level:

If you’re an entry-level candidate with little or no professional experience, your education should be presented immediately after the Qualifications Summary and/or skills area. The reasoning for this is that education is currently your most marketable asset. Here, you would include:

• GPA (if 3.5 or above)
• Awards/scholarships
• Dean’s list
• Coursework relevant to job search

If you’re a professional with five or more years of experience, Education should be listed last on your resume. GPAs, awards or scholarships, and mention of dean’s lists are not generally provided in a professional or executive resume, except for those used for entrance into graduate school programs.

The purpose of your resume:

Resumes sent to admissions directors for graduate school can list Education before Professional Experience or after, depending upon these factors:

• If the applicant has just recently completed his bachelor’s degree, it should be listed before Professional Experience.
• If the applicant has real-world experience related to the graduate degree she is seeking, the Professional Experience should be listed first.

The country in which your resume will be distributed:

First Page: Six Steps to a Blockbuster Resume