{"id":9222,"date":"2019-10-14T15:33:21","date_gmt":"2019-10-14T19:33:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.spcollege.edu\/careers-internships\/?p=9222"},"modified":"2025-11-13T20:38:49","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T01:38:49","slug":"adding-industry-certifications-to-your-resume","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.spcollege.edu\/careers-internships\/adding-industry-certifications-to-your-resume\/","title":{"rendered":"Adding Industry Certifications to Your R\u00e9sum\u00e9"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
When you need to update your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 to reflect your latest industry certification and be captivating at a glance, you have a few choices and a couple must-do\u2019s. Our quick guide below will walk you through industry-certification specific tips, to help you land an interview after getting certified. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Choice: Listing your\nCertifications in your Heading<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
For single credential holders, or those with stackable certifications with their own unique title (think CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist (CSIS) that implies CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+) including your credentials in your heading, after your name, might be a perfect fit. However, once you have amassed multiple credentials, this information is better in a short positioning statement at the top of your r\u00e9sum\u00e9, or even better, in a Stand-alone Certification section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Choice: Stand-alone\nCertification section or Education & Certification combo<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Whether you choose to position yourself using a traditional\nchronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9 or trendy functional r\u00e9sum\u00e9, your certifications should\nhelp you stand out. I recommend a Certification section above your Education,\nespecially if you hold more than one valid credential. You may choose instead, to\nlist your certifications under your Education section, because creating another\ncertification-specific section, may take up valuable space on your r\u00e9sum\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I feel it is a personal choice that can be based on the amount of other information you would like to list on your r\u00e9sum\u00e9. Keeping in mind r\u00e9sum\u00e9s should be one page long, and no longer than two, for high-level applicants. A veteran in their field may have more compelling Experience and value to highlight. A new-to-the field candidate could be better served by placing their Certifications front and center. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In my opinion, a dedicated certification section says just that\u2014you are dedicated to building your specific technical skillset and your credentials can validate it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Must-Do: List the\nfull Title and Acronym of your certification credential<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
It might be tempting to list only the acronym or common term for your certification (think CEH.) Given that most r\u00e9sum\u00e9s are run through Applicant Tracking Systems before ever landing in front of a Recruiter or Hiring Manager, stack the deck in your favor by listing both terms: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH.) This way, no matter how the system is tagged with the skillset they are looking for, your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 will match it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Must-Do: Note the Date\nyou Certified, the Expiration Date, and any Unique Identifiers<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Employers will be curious about your certifications. Help take the guesswork out of their process by explicitly stating your certification date, and expiration date (if applicable.) Include any unique identifying numbers associated with your credentials, in the same place. This will help Hiring Teams audit your credentials from your Certification Vendor\u2019s website. Many times, without listing your credential ID number, or association number, your certification cannot be validated until you directly share further details with the hiring manager. Help them take the next step toward you, and share this information with them on the front-end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Choice: List your\nEducation after your Experience, or before<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Traditionally, Education follows your Experience section. However, for students who have been certified or graduated recently, with less relevant experience in the workforce, I recommend listing your Certification and Education sections before your Experience. While waiting tables and computer networking administration have similar words in common (Server) the old workforce you, should not stand in the way of the new MCSA-certified<\/a> you. If you are changing fields, list your latest education first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Computer](\"https:\/\/blog.spcollege.edu\/careers-internships\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2019\/10\/Networking-24-1024x683.jpg\")
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