Correctly listing your major on a resume is a foundational step in presenting your qualifications to potential employers. While it may seem like a simple task, the optimal way to present your academic background can vary depending on your level of professional experience and specific educational path. A well-organized education section ensures that hiring managers can quickly and easily understand the relevance of your training to the role you are seeking.
Where to Place Your Education Section
The placement of your education section on your resume sends a signal to employers about your career stage. For recent graduates, students, or individuals with limited professional history, this section should be positioned prominently at the top of the resume, directly following your contact information and a brief summary. This highlights your most recent and relevant qualifications. Recruiters for entry-level positions often look to education first to gauge a candidate’s foundational knowledge and dedication.
Conversely, for professionals who have accumulated several years of work experience, the education section is best placed at the bottom of the resume. In this scenario, your professional achievements and work history are more pertinent to your qualifications for the role. By positioning your work experience first, you lead with the information that hiring managers for mid or advanced-career roles will find most compelling.
How to Format Your Major
Consistency and clarity are important when formatting your major to ensure recruiters can quickly scan your credentials. The standard format begins with your full degree title, followed by your major, the university’s name and location, and your graduation date. For instance, instead of writing “B.S. in Econ,” you should write out “Bachelor of Science in Economics.” This formality prevents any ambiguity and presents a more professional image.
A clear and easy-to-replicate template helps maintain a clean resume layout. An example would be:
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
University of California, Los Angeles, CA
May 2024
This structure provides all necessary information in a logical flow. The full degree name, major, university, and date provide context and timeline, ensuring that applicant tracking systems (ATS) and human recruiters can easily parse your educational background without confusion.
Handling Special Circumstances
Double Majors and Minors
When you have a double major, you should list both concentrations clearly under the same degree. The primary major, or the one most relevant to the job you are applying for, should be listed first. For a minor, you can list it on a separate line directly below your major or on the same line if space is a concern, often formatted as “Minor in [Minor Name].”
Unrelated Majors
If your major is not directly related to the job you are targeting, your focus should shift to highlighting transferable skills. You can create a “Relevant Coursework” subsection to list classes that have provided you with applicable knowledge. This reframes your academic experience to align with the employer’s needs.
Unfinished Degrees
It is beneficial to include an unfinished degree on your resume to show your academic experience and commitment. Honesty is important, so clearly state the coursework completed and the years you attended without suggesting you graduated. Use phrases like “Coursework toward Bachelor of Science in Biology” or list the university and dates attended followed by “[Number] credits completed toward degree.”
Multiple Degrees
For individuals with more than one degree, the standard practice is to list them in reverse chronological order. Your most recent or highest-level degree should appear first. Each degree entry should follow the same consistent format, including the degree title, major, institution, and graduation date.
Including Additional Academic Details
You can supplement your education section with a few optional details, but only when they add clear value. Your Grade Point Average (GPA) should only be included if it is high, typically 3.5 or above, as this can be a positive differentiator, especially for recent graduates with limited work experience. Academic honors such as Dean’s List, magna cum laude, or other awards should also be included to showcase achievement. These distinctions can be listed directly under the corresponding degree entry.