
How to List Certifications on a CV (with Samples)
Guide for how to list certifications on CVs + examples and tips. Lists of easy certifications and job-critical certifications + how to put them on CVs.
Can a CV be two pages? Or should you always make it shorter? The best answer: if your relevant and eye-popping achievements can’t fit on one page, write a 2-page CV.
Submit a too-short CV, and they won’t think you’re worthy.
But—
They won’t read a too-long CV.
But how do you know?
Don’t worry.
There’s a quick way to know how long to make your CV.
In this guide:
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Connor Franz
Graphic Designer
Personal Info
Phone: 405-543-7278
E-mail: connorzfranz@gmail.com
ConnorFranz.com
linkedin.com/in/connorzfranz
twitter.com/connorzfranz
Summary
Engaging graphic designer with 8+ years of experience. Seeking to delight clients at Maximum Woolf. At Argy Bargy, led production in design firm with annual revenue of £2M per year. Slashed production costs 18% in 6 months with strong Agile and Scrum skills. Raised client transactions 20% and client satisfaction 25% through improved communication.
Experience
Senior Graphic Designer
Argy Bargy Inc., London
2013–Present
Graphic Designer
Kibula Graphics, Manchester
2011–2013
Education
BA (Hons) Graphic Design, Leeds Arts University, Leeds
2005–2009
Portfolio
www.ConnorFranz.com
Clients
Hard Skills: Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, print, web, mobile, layout, typography
Soft Skills: creativity, leadership, communication, interpersonal skills, problem solving
Connor Franz
Graphic Designer
Personal Info
Phone: 405-543-7278
E-mail: connorzfranz@gmail.com
ConnorFranz.com
linkedin.com/in/connorzfranz
twitter.com/connorzfranz
Projects
App Design
Web Design
Coffee Table Book Design
Awards and Honours
Volunteering and Freelancing
Certifications
Conferences
Should you write a two-page CV? See our guide: How Long Should a CV Be? One-Page CV vs Two Page
Looking for CV samples for your career? See our CV examples for every profession.
Yes, a two page CV is OK if you can't cut it shorter without hurting the message. Professionals with lots of experience in technical professions often need a two page CV.
So, yes it can.
But—
Not always.
Write a 2-page CV if:
Expert Hint: Can you guarantee that anywhere they look, you’ll blow their minds? Then write a two-page CV.
Here’s how to write a 2-page CV that works:
Hold up.
A 2-page CV is different from a 1-page CV.
Use these tips for the right CV format:
Expert Hint: Save your CV in the PDF format. PDFs stay legible no matter what device they’re viewed on. Bonus: ATS hiring software can parse them. But not all CVs are ats friendly: check out our list of ATS-friendly CV templates that are guaranteed to make it past the bots.
Will the hiring team read your two-page CV?
Most don’t.
So—
Give them a reason, with an attention-grabbing career summary.
Include:
These 2-page CV examples show how:
Compare.
The first of those two-page CV examples says who you are and how you’ll help.
The second is hot air.
Expert Hint: Write your 2-page CV summary after you’ve written the rest. It’s easier to write a summary when the rest is finished.
This is so important.
Anyone can write a 2-page CV.
But why should employers read it?
The answer:
Because everything in it matters to them.
So—
Tailor your CV to their needs.
Here’s how:
Look how these two-page CV examples do it:
The job ad wants these skills: (1) leadership (2) Agile (3) training (4) communication.
Experience
Senior Graphic Designer
Argy Bargy Inc., Manchester
2013–Present
Wait...
The second of those 2-page CV examples lists the “training” keyword.
But—
It lacks details. The first says “15 new hires” and shows specific subjects.
Here are the most wanted CV skills to start:
Technical Skills | Soft Skills |
MS Office | Interpersonal Skills |
Google Drive | Communication |
SEO | Collaboration |
Graphical Skills | Time Management |
Enterprise Systems | Organisation |
Programming Languages | Problem Solving |
Research | Leadership |
Quickbooks | Critical Thinking |
Writing | Detail Oriented |
Presenting | Creativity |
Expert Hint: A 2-page CV needs hard skills and soft skills. Soft skills work for any job. The right technical skills are different for each job opening.
Where does the education section go in a 2-page CV?
After work experience.
But if you want them to remember you—
Add additional achievements.
These 2-page CV examples show how:
Education
BA Graphic Design, Leeds Arts University, Leeds
2005–2009
That’s great.
Achievements make that 2-page CV sample stand out.
Expert Hint: Are you writing an academic CV? You can write a two-page CV for academic purposes if you’ve got two pages of relevant projects.
The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your CV in our CV builder now.
Nail it all with a splash of colour, choose a clean font, highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You’re the perfect candidate and we’ll prove it. Use the ResumeLab builder now.
Argh.
Your CV is 1.4 pages.
That’s not good.
A 2-page CV should be more than 1.5 pages. If not, add more text or cut it to one page.
But consider this:
Adding “other” sections to a two-page CV can get you interviewed.
You can add sections for:
These two-page CV examples show how:
Portfolio
www.ConnorFranz.com
Clients
Projects
App Design
Web Design
Awards and Honours
AIGA
Certifications
Conferences
Additional Activities
No contest.
The first of those 2-page CV examples drops jaws at every bullet.
Expert Hint: Enclose a cover letter with your two page CV. Use it to show your passion for the job. The hiring team will read your CV with extra interest.
Too long?
Always shorten an overstuffed 2-page CV.
Cut out:
Here’s how to cut a two-page CV to make it stronger:
Let’s say the job ad wants leadership, training, and communication.
Experience
Senior Graphic Designer
Argy Bargy Inc.
2013–Present
That’s drastic.
But—
Cutting “extras” makes the important parts of your CV stand out.
Expert Hint: Not sure whether to cut your two page CV down to size? Look at each bullet as if it’s the only one. Will it wow this employer? If not, lose it.
Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.
Want to try a different look? There’s 18 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
For a 2-page CV worth reading:
Got questions on how to write a great 2-page CV? Only worked for three years, but still think you need a two-page CV? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!
Guide for how to list certifications on CVs + examples and tips. Lists of easy certifications and job-critical certifications + how to put them on CVs.
With the CV power words from our list, you’ll turn your CV into a captivating narrative of success. Find the words you need, see examples, and adapt them for your purposes.
You don’t need to be a Booker Prize laureate to make your own curriculum vitae. Learn how to write a CV highlighting your qualifications using this guide in a matter of minutes.