Wondering where to put certifications on your resume? Follow our step-by-step guide on how to list certifications on your resume and get inspired by our proven examples.
If employers can’t find job-critical certifications on your resume, you’re sunk. Your professional certifications list must stand out like a rescue flare.
Even easy certifications like Udemy certificates or bartending certificates can make a resume shine. But there are rules for how to put certifications on resumes.
In this guide:
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Certificates should be added in a dedicated "Certifications" section on your resume. Critical certifications should be added front and center: by your name, in your resume summary, or in your work experience section. Extra certifications can go after your education and work experience.
Our comprehensive analysis of 500,000 resumes built through our service showed that*:
- 29.73% of our users include certifications on their resumes.
- Median creation time for a resume on ResumeLab is just 21.3 minutes.
- Problem-Solving, Teamwork, Collaboration, Adaptability, and Multitasking are the most popular skills our users include in their resumes.
* The data comes from the last 12 months (August 2023-August 2024).
The hiring manager just tossed your resume atop a blazing bonfire. She thought, this applicant’s not qualified.
But you are! You just don’t know how to list certifications on resumes. Put job-critical certifications for jobs in four places:
1. By your name
2. In your resume summary, resume objective, or summary of qualifications
3. In a special certification section near the top
4. In your work experience section
These examples of certifications on a resume show how:
Steve Madland, (1) PMP
Phone: 206-817-7846
E-mail: steveqmadland@gmail.com
Summary
(2) Certified PMP with 5+ years of experience and solid planning skills, seeking to improve delivery times and quality for DHGX International Foods. At Blarz-Gigney, cut project costs 18% in 7 months and slashed wasted labor cost 25%. Trained 120 employees in Lean Principles.
(3) Certifications
Work Experience
Aardvark Edibles, Inc.
(4) PMP
2014–2018
That how to add certification in resume sample will get attention like a Klieg light. The key is to keep the resume format nice and clean, while showcasing the points you want the spotlight to be on.
What are job-critical resume certifications? They’re certs you absolutely need to get the job. Often, job-critical certifications are listed on the job offer and should be used as resume keywords.
For examples, see this professional certifications list:
How to list certification in progress on resume? Show certifications in progress by adding “Anticipated completion” and the date.
Need to know how to list certifications on resumes not central to the job? Non-critical, good certifications to have are up next.
Expert Hint: Job-critical certs and licenses are necessary. You can’t get the job without them. Easy certifications help more when you’re an entry-level candidate.
Easy certifications can put turbo thrusters on an entry-level resume. But there are rules.
Listing certifications on resumes when they’re “extra”:
These IT certifications examples show how:
[Contact Info]
[Resume Summary]
[Experience]
[Education]
Certifications
[Additional Activities]
That how to list certifications on resumes sample is unicorn-level. It’s got the right list of certifications in the right place to make hiring managers fumble for the phone.
When should you leave certifications off a resume? When they’re unimpressive, out of date, or not relevant to the job. Unless you’re angling for a bottle-washing job, leave that bottle brush certification off your resume. And put newer and more impressive certs higher in the list.
Expert Hint: Online courses don’t always offer certification. But—you can still list non-cert classes on a resume to show proficiency.
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Now you know how to list certifications on resumes. But do you still need a list of good certifications to have?
Showing a cert on a resume is the difference between saying you’ve got a skill and proving it. Resume certifications can also land a bigger paycheck. This list of certifications shows the 12 best certs for popular careers.
Also check out Udemy Certificates and LinkedIn Learning Certificates. Udemy offers PMP, IT, and other certifications online.
Easy Certifications List:
Expert Hint: Should you show CPR certifications on resumes? If it’s a medical job or dealing with the public, yes. Otherwise, save the space for impressive achievements.
Do IT and Google certifications matter? In the IT, tech, and marketing world, yes. Most IT professionals tout the CompTIA A+ as the best cert for the industry.
Will it make up for thin experience? Nope. But it’ll put your application fifty steps ahead of other no-experience resumes. Find yours in this IT certifications list and Google Certifications list:
With credentials like these, you'll be writing a Google resume in no time. Check out more computer skills here.
Microsoft Office Specialist Certification: Is it worth it?
If you’re an entry-level candidate, definitely. Otherwise, save you money and list on-the-job MS Office accomplishments.
Expert Tips: Certification online can be just as impressive as in-person licensing. Servsafe certifications, PMP certifications, and Fema Certifications are all available online.
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Here’s a recap of how to list certifications on resumes:
Need more career advice? Check out these blog posts:
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Got a question about how to put certifications on resumes? Wondering where to put certifications on resume? Need to know how to include certifications in resumes for a specific career? Leave a comment. We’d be happy to reply!
At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines, ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets. Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.
Having published over 200 career-advice articles, Tom Gerencer is a career expert who covers the whole array of job-seeking topics for people at all career stages, from interns to C-suite members. His insights, commentary, and articles reach over a million readers every month. With inside knowledge of key industry players and in-depth research, Tom helps job seekers with advice across all professions and career stages.
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