Certifications on Resume

Should You List Certifications on Resume

In most professional contexts, particularly in the United States, listing relevant certifications on your resume can significantly enhance your credibility and attractiveness to potential employers. However, this practice may vary depending on the industry, region, and job level. For instance, in fields such as healthcare, IT, finance, and education, certifications are often highly valued and are expected to be included in resumes. In other regions like Europe or Asia, while not always required, they can still provide a competitive edge.

Why to List Certifications on Resume

• Demonstrate Expertise: Certifications serve as tangible proof of your proficiency in specific skills, validated by an authoritative body. This can help employers quickly assess your qualifications and suitability for the job.
• Enhance Credibility: A certification adds credibility to your resume, signaling that you have invested time and effort to acquire specialized knowledge and competencies. This is particularly important in highly technical fields or regulated industries where expertise is crucial.
• Stand Out from the Competition: In a crowded job market, certifications can help you differentiate yourself from other candidates with similar backgrounds and experience. They provide a unique selling point that highlights your commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Access New Opportunities: Certain certifications may open up new career paths or advancement opportunities within your field. For example, a project management certification might make you eligible for managerial roles or international positions.

Where to List Certifications on Resume

• Professional Summary: Briefly mention relevant certifications that support your key skills and competencies in the summary section at the beginning of your resume.
• Skills Section: Create a dedicated skills section to list all your certifications, particularly those most relevant to the job you're applying for.
• Work Experience: Include any certifications related to the specific roles or responsibilities listed in your work experience section. This can help emphasize the impact of your achievements and contributions.
• Education Section: If a certification is closely tied to your academic background, it may be appropriate to include it under the education section. For example, a Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) or a PhD would often include relevant certifications like Six Sigma or Lean Management.

Examples of How to List Certifications on Resume

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

• CPA Certification

• Year: 2018

• State: California

• License Number: 456789

• Description: Demonstrates expertise in accounting principles, financial reporting, and auditing practices.

This example clearly lists the certification, its issuing body (the state), and license number to validate its authenticity. Additionally, including the year of acquisition shows a commitment to ongoing professional development.

Project Management Professional (PMP)

• PMP Certification

• Year: 2021

• Issuing Organization: Project Management Institute (PMI)

• Description: Proves expertise in project management methodologies, including Agile and traditional waterfall approaches.

In this example, the certification is tied directly to the candidate's relevant work experience, demonstrating how their PMP skills have contributed to successful projects.

What to Avoid While Listing Certifications on Resume

• Outdated or Irrelevant Certifications: Only include certifications that are current and directly related to the job you're applying for.
• Lack of Detail: Provide sufficient information about each certification, including the issuing organization and any relevant licensing details.
• Incorrect Use of Acronyms: Clearly define all acronyms or abbreviations to avoid confusion. If a certification's name is not widely recognized, provide a brief explanation alongside it.
• Overemphasis on Certifications: While certifications are valuable, they should not overshadow other important aspects of your resume such as relevant work experience, skills, and achievements.

How to List Educational Certifications (e.g., Ap, Ib, Clep) on Resume

Best Practices:

• Highlight the Relevant: Only include certifications that are directly related to the position you're applying for. If you have a wide range of educational certifications, prioritize those that best align with the job requirements.

Example: If you're applying for a teaching position and hold an Advanced Placement (AP) certification in English Language and Composition, include this on your resume as it demonstrates proficiency in teaching English at a high school level.

• List Specific Details: Include the name of the certification, the exam number if applicable, and the year you received it. This provides clarity and shows that you are detail-oriented.

Example: Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition, Exam Number 4712, Received: Year

• Showcase Achievements: If you scored exceptionally well on the certification exam or if it is particularly recognized in your field, mention this to highlight your expertise.

Example: Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition, Exam Number 4712, Received: Year – Scored a 5 out of 5, indicating exceptional performance.

• Create a Dedicated Section: Group all certifications, including educational ones, under a single heading such as "Certifications" or "Professional Development." This makes it easy for the hiring manager to find this information quickly.

Example: Certifications:

• Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition, Exam Number 4712, Received: Year – Scored a 5 out of 5, indicating exceptional performance.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, Received: Year
• College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam in History, Received: Year

Example 1: Educational Certifications (e.g., Ap, Ib, Clep) on Certifications Resume

Context: As a recent graduate applying for teaching positions, you want to showcase your relevant educational certifications to demonstrate your expertise in the field.

Certifications:

• Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition, Exam Number 4712, Received: Year – Scored a 5 out of 5, indicating exceptional performance.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, Received: Year
• College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam in History, Received: Year

Example 2: Educational Certifications (e.g., Ap, Ib, Clep) in Certifications Context

Context: A professional seeking a promotion or career change who has educational certifications relevant to the new role they are pursuing.

Professional Development:

• College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam in Accounting, Received: Year
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in Business and Management, Received: Year
• Project Management Institute (PMI) Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), Received: Year
• Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB Exam, Exam Number 4213, Received: Year – Scored a 5 out of 5, indicating exceptional performance.

How to List Healthcare and Medical Certifications on Resume

Best Practices for Listing 'Healthcare and Medical Certifications' on a Resume:

• Highlight the most relevant certifications first: List your healthcare and medical certifications in order of their relevance to the job you are applying for. If multiple certifications are equally relevant, consider listing them alphabetically.

  Example: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Basic Life Support (BLS)

• Include the full name of the certification and the issuing body: Clearly state the exact title of your certifications, along with the organization that issued it. This provides a clear understanding of your qualifications to potential employers.

  Example: Certified Medical Laboratory Scientist (ASCP-BOC), American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification

• Mention the expiration date (if applicable): If your certifications have an expiration date, include this information so that employers can easily determine their validity.

  Example: Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), American College of Nurse-Midwives; Expires: December 31, 2025

• Detail any additional qualifications or achievements: If you have earned honors or specializations within your certifications, be sure to include this information to showcase your expertise and commitment to professional development.

  Example: Board Certified Pediatrician (ABP), American Board of Pediatrics; Recognized for outstanding performance on the board exam

• Use consistent formatting: Keep your healthcare and medical certifications section neat and organized by using a consistent format. This includes keeping bullet points uniform, maintaining appropriate spacing between entries, and ensuring proper capitalization and punctuation.

  Example:

  • Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), American College of Nurse-Midwives; Expires: December 31, 2025
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), American Heart Association
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), American Academy of Pediatrics

Example 1: Healthcare and Medical Certifications on Certifications Resume

Certifications

• Registered Nurse (RN), State Board of Nursing; Expires: March 31, 2024
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), American Heart Association
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), American Academy of Pediatrics
  • Certified Case Manager (CCM), Commission for Case Management Certification
  • Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN), Association of Rehabilitation Nurses

In this example, the job seeker is a registered nurse with additional certifications in case management and rehabilitation nursing. By listing their certifications in order of relevance to the position they are applying for, the candidate demonstrates to potential employers that they possess the qualifications necessary for the role.

Example 2: Healthcare and Medical Certifications in Certifications Context

Certifications

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthesia; Expires: December 31, 2026
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), American Heart Association
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), American Academy of Pediatrics
  • Basic Life Support (BLS), American Red Cross

In this example, the job seeker is a certified registered nurse anesthetist with additional certifications in ACLS, PALS, and BLS. By clearly stating the name of each certification, issuing body, and expiration date, the candidate provides employers with all necessary information to assess their qualifications.

How to List Compliance and Security Certifications on Resume

Best Practices

• Highlight Relevance: List only certifications that are relevant to the compliance and security field you're applying for. Include the certification name, issuing body, and date earned. For example:

  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) - (ISC)², Earned: January 2020

• Contextualize Certifications: Provide a brief description of the certification to help employers understand its relevance. This could include the areas covered by the certification and any practical skills gained.

  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) - (ISC)², Earned: January 2020. Demonstrates expertise in security and competencies in seven core security domains.

• Order of Listing: List your certifications in reverse chronological order, with the most recent certification first. This shows that you are actively keeping your skills up-to-date.

  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) - (ISC)², Earned: January 2020

  Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) - EC-Council, Earned: July 2018

• Include Expired Certifications: If a certification has expired but you plan to renew it or have the necessary plans in place to maintain it, include it on your resume. This shows your commitment to continuous learning and staying current in the field.

  • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) - ISACA, Earned: January 2016 (Valid until January 2021)

Example 1: Compliance and Security Certifications on Certifications Resume

Certifications

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) - (ISC)², Earned: January 2020

  • Demonstrates expertise in security and competencies in seven core security domains

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) - EC-Council, Earned: July 2018

  • Provides understanding of various attack vectors and the ability to look for vulnerabilities and recommend solutions

• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) - ISACA, Earned: January 2016 (Valid until January 2021)

  • Demonstrates audit, control, and security expertise, focusing on IT and business issues

Example 2: Compliance and Security Certifications in Certifications Context

Professional Development

Certifications

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) - (ISC)², Earned: January 2020

  • Relevant for roles requiring a broad understanding of security and the ability to secure systems against attacks

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) - EC-Council, Earned: July 2018

  • Beneficial for roles where understanding attack vectors and being able to look for vulnerabilities is crucial

• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) - ISACA, Earned: January 2016 (Valid until January 2021)

  • Suitable for roles that require IT and business expertise in auditing, control, and security.

How to List Technical Certifications on Resume

Best Practices for Listing Technical Certifications:

• Highlight Relevant Certifications: List only certifications that are relevant to the job you're applying for. This helps recruiters understand quickly how your skills align with their needs.

  • Example: If you're applying for a job as a Network Engineer, list certifications like Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or Juniper Networks Certification Program (JNCIA).

• Include the Name and Issuing Body: Clearly state the name of the certification and the issuing body. This helps validate your claim and shows that you've been certified by a recognized authority in the field.

  • Example: Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), issued by Cisco Systems

• Mention Date of Issue: Provide the date when you obtained each certification. This helps recruiters understand your level of experience and the currency of your skills.

  • Example: Obtained CCNA certification on June 1, 2020

• Structure in a Logical Order: Arrange your certifications in reverse chronological order, with the most recent certifications listed first. This helps recruiters quickly see your most current skills and achievements.

  • Example:

• Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), issued by Cloud Native Computing Foundation – June 2022

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, issued by Microsoft Corporation – March 2021

• Include a Brief Description: If space allows, include a brief description of the certification and its relevance to the job you're applying for. This helps recruiters understand how your skills can contribute to their organization.

  • Example: Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) demonstrates my expertise in deploying, managing, and scaling containerized applications on Kubernetes clusters.

Example 1: Technical Certifications on Certifications Resume

• Certification: Professional Scrum Master (PSM), issued by Scrum.org
  • Year: Obtained on January 1, 2021
  • Description: Demonstrates my understanding of Scrum framework and its practical application to deliver products in complex and changing environments.

Example 2: Technical Certifications in Certifications Context

• Certification: AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, issued by Amazon Web Services (AWS)
  • Year: Obtained on April 15, 2021
  • Description: Shows my ability to design and deploy scalable, secure, and robust systems on the AWS platform.

How to List Professional Certifications on Resume

Best Practices for Listing 'Professional Certifications'

• Highlight the Relevant: Include only the certifications that are directly related to the job you're applying for. This helps the recruiter quickly understand your skills and qualifications.

  Example: If you're applying for a data analyst role, list your Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) certification but omit your real estate appraisal certification.

• Include Key Details: Make sure to provide essential details such as the name of the certification, issuing body, and the year of acquisition. This helps the recruiter verify your certifications easily.

  Example: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), acquired in 2018.

• Order by Relevance and Recency: Arrange your certifications in order of relevance to the job you're applying for and the recency of acquisition. This helps the recruiter quickly grasp your most recent and relevant qualifications.

  Example: Certified Data Professional (CDP) acquired in 2021, followed by Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) acquired in 2019.

• Use a Consistent Format: Maintain a consistent format for all your certifications to make your resume easy to read and navigate. This can be achieved by using bullet points, consistent use of bold or italics, and proper punctuation.

  Example: - Certified Public Accountant (CPA), issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), acquired in 2018

  • Certified Data Professional (CDP), issued by the International Association for Intelligence (IAI), acquired in 2021

• Include any Additional Information: If your certification includes additional distinctions, such as a high score or specialization, include this information to demonstrate your expertise.

  Example: - Certified Public Accountant (CPA), issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), acquired in 2018. Scored in the top 5% of all candidates.

Example 1: Professional Certifications on Certifications Resume

In a resume for a data analyst position, the 'Professional Certifications' section could look like this:

• Certified Analytics Professional (CAP), issued by the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS), acquired in 2019.
• Certified Data Scientist (CDS), issued by the International Institute for Analytics (IIA), acquired in 2020.
• Certified Data Manager (CDM), issued by the Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP), acquired in 2018.

Example 2: Professional Certifications in Certifications Context

In a resume for a compliance officer position, the 'Professional Certifications' section could look like this:

• Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), issued by the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS), acquired in 2019.
• Certified Financial Crime Specialist (CFCS), issued by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), acquired in 2017.
• Certified Compliance and Risk Professional (CCRP), issued by the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE) and Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA), acquired in 2020.