How to List Certifications on a Resume (With 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 more rules for how to put certifications on resumes.

In this guide:

• How to list certifications on a resume so they catch employers’ eyes.
• Where to put certifications on a resume for both job-critical and “extra” certs.
• A list of easy certifications you can get to put a resume on overdrive.
• An IT certifications list, Google certification courses list, and Microsoft certifications list. Plus job-specific certifications and how to get them.

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1. How to Add Certifications to Your Resume? 

Certifications should be added in different sections of the resume depending on whether they are critical or not. 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 before your education and after your experience.

TL;DR—Where to put certifications on resumes? If they’re job-critical, in four places. After your name, in your summary, in a certifications section near the top, and in your experience section.

If they’re not, in a resume certifications section below your education.

2. How to List Certifications on Resumes When They’re Job-Critical [+ Clear Examples]

Nightmare.

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:

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:

• IT Certifications Online (See list of certifications for IT below)
• PMP Certification—PMI offers several key PM certifications
• Pharmacy Technician Certification
• Dental Assistant Certification
• Financial Analyst Certifications
• Nursing Certification
• Teaching Certification
• Caregiver Certification
• Medical Assistant Certification
• Truck Driver CDL Certification
• Security Guard Certification

How to list certification in progress on resume:

Show certifications in progress on a resume 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.

3. How to Put Certifications on Resumes When They’re “Extra”

Easy certifications can put turbo thrusters on an entry-level resume.

But there are rules.

Listing certifications on resumes when they’re “extra”:

• Put “extra” certs high on a resume if they’re your most impressive professional achievement.
• List them lower down if they’re an added bonus.

These IT certifications examples show how:

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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4. Easy Certifications List

Now you know how to list certifications on resumes.

But—

Need a list of good certifications to have?

Who could blame you?

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:

• First Aid and CPR—American Red Cross, National CPR Foundation
• Bartending Certifications—BartendingOnline, Learn2Serve
• Customer Service—Service Strategies
• Computer Science—AWS, CRISC, CISM, CISA, CISSP, CCNP
• Graphic Design—Adobe ACE, Autodesk
• Marketing—AMA Professional Certified Marketer, Google Analytics
• Web Developer—Adobe ACE, Microsoft MCSD, Google Adwords
• Substitute Teacher—First Aid/CPR, ALICE School Safety Training
• Data Entry—Online Classes and Typing Speed Tests
• Retail—Retail Fundamentals Cert
• Nanny—Child Development Associate, Pediatric First Aid/CPR
• Bookkeeper—AIPB, NACPB, Quickbooks

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.

5. Bonus: Google Certifications and Best IT Certifications Online

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:

IT Certifications Online

• CompTIA A+
• Microsoft Certifications list with all Microsoft certification listings
• Cisco Certifications list CCENT, CCT, CCDA and many more.
• VMWare Certifications list
• Citrix Certifications list

Google Certifications Courses List

• Google Developers Certification
• Data Engineering Certification
• Associate Cloud Engineer
• Professional Cloud Architect
• Professional Data Engineer
• G Suite
• Digital Marketing Certification
• AdWords Certification
• Mobile Advertising assessment
• Display Advertising assessment
• Shopping Advertising assessment
• Video Advertising assessment
• Google Analytics Academy
• Google For Education Training Center
• Machine Learning Crash Course

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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Key Points

Here’s a recap of how to list certifications on resumes:

• Put job-critical resume certifications in four places: 1. By your name. 2. In your summary. 3. In your work history. 4. In a special certifications section.
• Show easy-to-get certifications in a certifications section lower down.
• For a list of easy certifications to get, like Udemy certificates or Lynda certificates, scroll up.
• For an IT certifications list, a Google certifications list, or a Microsoft certifications list, see the sections above.

Need more career advice? Check out these blog posts: 

How to list education on resume?

How to list relevant coursework on resume?

What should you include in a resume?

Which skills should i put on my resume?

How to write a targeted resume?

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!