Graduated on Resume

Should You List graduated on Resume

In most cases, yes, it's beneficial to include your graduation dates on a resume, especially when applying for jobs within the United States or other regions where employers typically seek such information. However, there may be instances where you might want to omit this detail, such as when transitioning careers, re-entering the workforce after a prolonged absence, or pursuing certain academic degrees like Ph.D. or law school, where ongoing education is expected and graduation date is less relevant.

Why to List graduated on Resume

• Demonstrate Relevant Experience: Your graduation dates can help recruiters understand your timeline of experience and contextualize the skills you've gained during your academic journey, especially for entry-level positions.
• Show Career Progression: For more experienced candidates, listing graduation dates allows employers to assess how long you have been practicing in your field and identify any potential progressions or gaps in employment.
• Potential Age Discrimination Concerns: Including graduation years may help mitigate age discrimination concerns by providing context for your work history and professional development.

Where to List graduated on Resume

Typically, recent graduates should list their educational details in the "Education" section at or near the top of their resume, while experienced professionals can place it lower down, following relevant work experience sections. Here's an example for each:

• Recent Graduates:

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science [University Name], [City, State] GPA: 3.8 / 4.0 | Graduated: [Year]

• Experienced Professionals:

Work Experience

Senior Software Engineer [Company Name], [City, State] [Employment Dates]

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science [University Name], [City, State] GPA: 3.8 / 4.0 | Graduated: [Year]

Examples of How to List graduated on Resume

Example 1: Recent Graduate

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science MIT, Cambridge, MA GPA: 3.8 / 4.0 | Graduated: 2021

What's good about it: The format is clear and easy to read. The graduation date helps recruiters quickly assess the candidate's recent graduation, while the GPA offers insight into academic performance.

Example 2: Experienced Professional

Work Experience

Senior Software Engineer Google, Mountain View, CA [Employment Dates]

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Harvard University, Cambridge, MA GPA: 3.8 / 4.0 | Graduated: 1998

What's good about it: The experienced professional's resume showcases their career history and relevant work experience before listing the graduation date.

What to Avoid While Listing graduated on Resume

• Leaving out graduation dates: When employers need to assess your timeline of experience, omitting graduation years may make it difficult for them to evaluate your background properly.
• Including High School Graduation Dates: In most cases, high school graduation dates are unnecessary on a professional resume unless explicitly asked for or if you're applying for jobs that require specific high school courses or credentials.
• Vague or Misleading Graduation Dates: Be accurate with your graduation years to avoid confusion and maintain integrity in the application process. If you took time off, completed your degree part-time, or have multiple degrees from different institutions, consider including these details as well.

How to List Year of Completion on Resume

• Include the Year of Graduation: List the year you graduated in a clear and concise format. This helps potential employers quickly understand when you completed your education. For example: Graduated in 2020.

• Use Months if Necessary: If you graduated recently and the month is relevant, include it. This can help provide more context for recruiters who may be reviewing a large number of resumes. For example: Graduated in May 2021.

• Order Matters: List your educational credentials in reverse chronological order, with the most recent degree or certification first. This allows employers to quickly see your highest level of education and the associated year of completion.

• Be Consistent: If you're listing multiple degrees or certifications, ensure that they all follow the same format for the Year of Completion subcategory. This maintains a clean and organized appearance on your resume.

• Avoid Irrelevant Information: Unless specifically asked for, there is no need to include the month of graduation if it's not important in your job context. Additionally, do not provide the exact date (e.g., 12th of any month) unless requested by the employer or if it's relevant to the position you are applying for.

Example 1: Year of Completion on Graduated Resume

Assuming that you have recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from XYZ University, your Year of Completion subcategory may look like this:

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, XYZ University (Graduated in 2021)

Example 2: Year of Completion in Graduated Context

If you are applying for a job and need to provide more context about your educational background, consider the following example:

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, XYZ University (Graduated with honors in May 2021)
• Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts, ABC College (Graduated in 2018)

In this example, the job seeker is providing more specific information about their most recent degree while still listing their previous education for completeness.

How to List Location on Resume

Best Practices

• Be Specific: Provide the city and state or country where you reside, especially if your job application is open to a national or international audience. For instance: "New York City, NY, USA".

Example: In a resume for a graduate seeking a job in San Francisco, CA, it would look like this: "San Francisco, CA, United States"

• Consider Flexibility: If you are open to relocation for the right opportunity, indicate this by adding something like "Willing to Relocate" or simply including a list of cities you are willing to move to.

Example: A graduate in Boston, MA, seeking a job in Los Angeles or Chicago would include: "Boston, MA, United States (Willing to relocate to Los Angeles, CA, or Chicago, IL)"

• Consider Privacy: If you prefer not to disclose your exact location, consider using a broader geographical area such as a region or state. However, this may reduce your chances of being noticed by local employers.

Example: For a graduate who prefers not to reveal their specific city but is open to working in Florida: "North Florida, USA"

• Consider Temporary Addresses: If you are currently living temporarily somewhere due to school or an internship, list your permanent address on your contact information and include the temporary location under "Location."

Example: For a graduate who is in Boston for an internship but lives in Philadelphia: "Philadelphia, PA, United States (Temporarily located in Boston, MA, USA)"

• Consistency: Make sure your chosen method of listing the location remains consistent throughout your resume and other application materials to avoid confusion for potential employers.

Example 1: Location on Graduated Resume

For a recent graduate seeking job opportunities in their city of graduation, their "Location" section may look like this:

• New York City, NY, United States (City of Graduation)

Example 2: Location in Graduated Context

A graduate who has relocated for a job opportunity but is open to further relocation can list their location as follows:

• Los Angeles, CA, United States (Current Location; Willing to Relocate)

How to List Institution Type on a Resume (Graduated Section)

Listing the institution type on your resume is crucial when you have graduated from an educational institution, as it provides employers with important context about your academic background. Here are some best practices to consider:

1. Include Institution Name and Location

• Provide the full name of the institution along with its location (city and state or country). This helps employers quickly identify the institution and verify your degree.

Example: University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

2. Specify Degree(s) and Major(s)

• Clearly indicate the degree(s) you received from the institution (e.g., Bachelor's, Master's, Ph.D.). If you have a double major or minor, list them as well.

Example: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

3. Mention the Year of Graduation

• Include the year you graduated to provide employers with an idea of your work experience timeline. If you are still completing your degree, consider stating the expected graduation year instead.

Example: Graduated in May 2019, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

4. Highlight Relevant Coursework or Achievements (if applicable)

• Briefly mention any relevant coursework, research projects, honors, or awards that align with the job you are applying for. This helps demonstrate your expertise and accomplishments in your field.

Example: Conducted research on artificial intelligence under the guidance of Dr. Jane Smith; Published a paper titled "Deep Learning Algorithms for Natural Language Processing" in the IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence journal

5. Utilize Reverse-Chronological Order (if applicable)

• If you have attended multiple institutions, list them in reverse-chronological order to emphasize your most recent degree or education.

Example:

University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics, Graduated in May 2019

California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA Associate of Science in Computer Science, Transferred to UCLA in Fall 2017

Example 1: Institution Type on a Graduated Resume

[Resume excerpt for a graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Stanford University]

Education

• Stanford University, Stanford, CA
  • Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
  • Major: Finance and Economics
  • Graduated with Honors, May 2019

Example 2: Institution Type in a Graduated Context

[Resume excerpt for a graduate with a Master's degree in Computer Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)]

Education

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
  • Master of Science in Computer Science and Engineering
  • Thesis: "Deep Reinforcement Learning for Autonomous Vehicles"
  • Graduated with Distinction, May 2021

How to List Field of Study on Resume

Best Practices for Listing the Field of Study Subcategory

• Include Specific Degree: Clearly state the type of degree you obtained (e.g., Bachelor of Science or Master of Arts) along with your major (e.g., Computer Science or English Literature). This provides potential employers with a clear understanding of your academic background.

  Education:

  • Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, University of XYZ, Graduated Year

• List Relevant Minors or Concentrations: If you have a minor or concentration that is relevant to the job you're applying for, include it in your Field of Study section. This helps showcase additional skills and knowledge.

  Education:

  • Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Minor in Data Analytics), University of XYZ, Graduated Year

• Highlight Academic Achievements: If you have any academic honors or achievements that are relevant to the job, such as being on the Dean's List, receiving scholarships, or completing an honors thesis, include them in this section to demonstrate your academic success.

  Education:

  • Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Summa Cum Laude), University of XYZ, Graduated Year
  • Awarded the University Scholarship for Academic Achievement
  • Completed an Honors Thesis on "Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning"

• Use Keywords: Incorporate keywords from the job description in your Field of Study section to increase the likelihood that Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) will scan your resume effectively, thus increasing your chances of getting noticed by recruiters.

• Keep it Concise: Avoid excessive details or jargon in this section; focus on providing enough information to demonstrate your academic background without overwhelming potential employers.

Example 1: Field of Study on Graduated Resume

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 2018
  • Concentration in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
  • Received the MIT Scholarship for Academic Achievement
  • Completed an Honors Thesis on "Deep Learning Algorithms for Natural Language Processing"

Example 2: Field of Study in Graduated Context

Education:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Marketing, Harvard University, 2021
  • Awarded the Harvard Fellowship for Academic Excellence
  • Completed a Master's Thesis on "Consumer Behavior and Brand Loyalty"

How to List Degree-specific on Resume

Best Practices:

• Highlight the Degree: Clearly state the degree you've earned in the field relevant to your job application. For instance, "Bachelor of Science in Computer Science."

  Example: Education Bachelor of Science in Computer Science University Name (Graduated Year)

• Specify Major: Make sure to include your major or area of study, as it helps to showcase your expertise and qualifications for the job you're applying to.

  Example: Education Bachelor of Science in Computer Science - Major: Software Engineering University Name (Graduated Year)

• GPA (if impressive): If your GPA is particularly strong, consider including it as it can demonstrate academic excellence and dedication to your field of study.

  Example: `Education Bachelor of Science in Computer Science - Major: Software Engineering University Name (Graduated Year)

  • GPA: 3.8/4.0`

• Relevant Coursework: Briefly mention any specific coursework or projects that are directly related to the job you're applying for. This helps to emphasize your expertise and readiness for the role.

  Example: `Education Bachelor of Science in Computer Science - Major: Software Engineering University Name (Graduated Year)

  • GPA: 3.8/4.0
  • Relevant Coursework: Object-Oriented Programming, Data Structures and Algorithms, Mobile Application Development`

• Graduation Date: Include the year of graduation to help employers understand your level of experience and how your skills may have evolved since your time in school.

  Example: Education Bachelor of Science in Computer Science - Major: Software Engineering University Name (Graduated Year)

Example 1: Degree-specific on Graduated Resume

Education Bachelor of Science in Computer Science - Major: Software Engineering XYZ University (Graduated: 2020)

• GPA: 3.8/4.0
• Relevant Coursework: Object-Oriented Programming, Data Structures and Algorithms, Mobile Application Development

Example 2: Degree-specific in Graduated Context

Education Bachelor of Business Administration - Major: Marketing ABC University (Graduated: 2018)

• GPA: 3.5/4.0
• Relevant Coursework: Consumer Behavior, Market Research, Advertising Strategies