Professional certifications act as a significant indicator of your specialized knowledge and commitment to your field. For employers, they are a quick way to verify that a candidate possesses a specific skill set validated by a third-party organization. Including these qualifications on your resume can communicate your expertise and distinguish you from other applicants. This guide provides a clear path to integrating your credentials into your resume in a way that is both professional and ensures they are noticed by hiring managers.
Where to List Certifications on Your Resume
The most common and often most effective placement for your credentials is in a dedicated “Certifications” section. This approach works best when you have two or more relevant certifications to showcase. Creating a distinct section allows a recruiter to quickly scan and identify your specific qualifications. This section is typically placed at the bottom of the resume, following your work experience and education.
Alternatively, you can list certifications within your “Education” section. This is a suitable option if you have only one certification or if the certification was part of a broader academic program. For clarity, you might consider renaming the section to “Education and Certifications.” This method consolidates your formal training and qualifications.
For certifications that are a mandatory or highly desired prerequisite for the role, consider mentioning them in your professional summary at the top of your resume. For instance, a nurse could note “CCRN certified nurse with 6+ years of professional experience.” Some professionals also add key license abbreviations after their name in the header, such as “Priya Anand, RN,” to ensure this critical information is seen first.
What Information to Include
When listing a certification, present the information clearly and completely. Always start with the full, official name of the certification. Avoid using acronyms unless the abbreviation is widely recognized in your industry, such as PMP for Project Management Professional; even then, it is best practice to write out the full name first followed by the acronym in parentheses.
Follow the certification name with the name of the issuing body or organization. This provides context and credibility to the credential, as it shows that you were certified by a recognized authority in your field. For example, you would list the Project Management Institute as the issuing organization for a PMP certification.
Include the date you earned the certification, specifying the month and year of completion. This information shows how current your skills are. If the certification has an expiration date, it is also advisable to include it, which demonstrates your awareness of the need for ongoing professional development to maintain the credential.
How to Format Your Certifications
Standard Format
For a standard, completed certification, the format should be clean and easy to read. List the information in a logical sequence: the name of the credential, the issuing organization, and the date it was awarded.
Project Management Professional (PMP) – Project Management Institute, August 2023
In-Progress Certifications
If you are currently working toward a certification, you can still include it on your resume to show your commitment to professional development. List the certification name and the issuing body, but in place of the completion date, state that it is “in progress” and provide the expected completion date.
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) – Scrum Alliance (In Progress, Expected December 2025)
Expired or Renewed Certifications
You should remove expired certifications from your resume, as they can suggest that your skills are outdated. If a certification has been renewed, you should indicate this to show that your qualifications are current. You can list the original completion date alongside the most recent renewal date or simply list the current valid-through date.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) – (ISC)², Renewed May 2024
Deciding Which Certifications to Add
When deciding which certifications to include on your resume, relevance is the most important factor. Carefully analyze the job description and prioritize listing the certifications that are explicitly mentioned or that align directly with the required skills and responsibilities. Listing credentials that are not relevant to the job you are applying for can clutter your resume and distract from your most important qualifications.
Tailoring your resume for each application is an effective strategy. This may mean you have a master list of all your certifications from which you select the most pertinent ones for a specific role. For example, if you have certifications in both marketing analytics and graphic design, you would emphasize the analytics credential when applying for a data-focused marketing role.
The goal is to present a focused document that highlights your suitability for the specific position. Including a long list of unrelated certifications can dilute the impact of your most relevant qualifications. A concise, targeted list demonstrates that you understand the role’s requirements and have the specific expertise the employer is seeking.