Many people work hard to obtain credentials besides their name, with some people taking many years to get their particular credentials. The following article will explain what credentials are worth listing on a resume and how you should display them on your resume.
What kind of Credentials should I list on my resume?
It would be best to list any significant credential that is valued and relevant for the job you are applying for. Below I will discuss the various type of credentials and if you should list them.
Listing graduate degree Credentials on a resume
When it comes to listing graduate degree Credentials on a resume, it is recommended to only list relevant credentials. For example, if you apply for a leadership role, an MBA or Doctorate in business would be recommended. If you obtained a master’s degree in fine arts or a Ph.D., it would not be recommended to list these credentials beside your name as they are not relevant to the job you are applying for.
Should I list my undergraduate degree as a credential on my resume?
Suppose your undergraduate degree is relevant to the job you are applying for, and you do not have a post-graduate degree. In that case, you can list the relevant undergraduate credential on your resume. For example, if you are in engineering and have an engineering degree, it would be ok to list your B.Eng credential on your resume beside your name.
What certification Credentials should I list on my resume?
It would be best if you listed and relevant and important certification Credentials on your resume. If you work in Project management and have your PMP certification, you should list this credential. On the flip side, if you are a personal trainer, a PMP certification beside your name does not help you get work in your profession.
Only list known certification Credentials on your resume!
If you have obtained minor certifications that most people have not heard of, I would not recommend adding these Credentials to your resume. By adding these to your resume, you look like you are trying to add extra credibility from an unknown entity. Instead of looking more impressive, you do the opposite and make yourself stand out negatively.
Listing credentials can make you overqualified for some roles
Unfortunately, for some roles having too many credentials might make you seem too overqualified for a role. When you apply for positions where you might be perceived as overqualified, please do not put the credentials in a prominent place or take them off your resume. For example, if you apply for an entry-level bank teller role and have a Ph.D. in education, you will seem overqualified for that role.
How many credentials should I put beside my name on my resume?
Some people have worked hard and have many credentials. This is a great thing but listing too many credentials on your resume beside your name is not recommend? The reason this is the case is it looks like a person is trying to overshow their value. It is recommended not to have no more than 2-3 credentials beside your name on your resume.
Pick your 2-3 most prestigious and relevant Credentials
For example, if you have 5 credentials, you should pick the top 3. Most likely, this would be the main industry certification and the highest level of post-secondary education. For example, CPA who also have their MBA and LLB would list all three on their resume.
How to list my credentials on my resume
When listing credentials on your resume, it should be listed in two places. The first place is beside your name. The credential should be written in the same size font as your name.
For example, if you have an MBA, you will write your name likes this.
