The education section of a professional resume provides hiring managers with a candidate’s foundational qualifications. Properly listing educational credentials ensures immediate clarity and establishes professionalism. A standardized presentation allows recruiters to quickly verify minimum requirements and focus on relevant experience and skills.
The Correct Terminology for High School Completion
The universally accepted and most professional term for completing secondary education is the “High School Diploma.” This specific phrase should be used exclusively on a resume to prevent ambiguity. Using precise terminology conforms to established human resources standards and ensures applicant tracking systems correctly categorize the qualification.
Phrases like “High School Graduate” or “H.S. Degree” are less formal and should be avoided. The term “degree” is reserved for collegiate credentials, such as an Associate’s or Bachelor’s qualification. A high school completion certificate should be presented using its formal designation, confirming the applicant understands professional documentation standards.
Standard Formatting and Placement on a Resume
The education entry should follow a standardized, scannable format. Begin by stating the official name of the high school attended, followed by the city and state where the institution is located. This geographical information provides immediate context.
Immediately following the location, clearly list the credential as “High School Diploma.” The entry should use a consistent font and size. If multiple academic entries exist, place them in reversed chronological order.
The placement of the Education section depends on the applicant’s career stage. For entry-level individuals, recent graduates, or those with less than five years of experience, the section should be positioned near the top. This ensures foundational education is immediately seen as a primary qualification.
If the applicant has extensive professional history or holds advanced degrees, move the Education section toward the bottom. This strategic placement allows relevant experience and skills to take precedence. The high school information is then treated as a necessary but secondary detail.
When to Include or Omit High School Education
Including the high school entry depends on the applicant’s highest level of completed education. The high school diploma must be listed if it represents the highest academic qualification obtained. This verifies the fundamental educational requirement for nearly all professional positions.
If a job description or application system explicitly requests high school information, the entry must always be included regardless of subsequent degrees. Adhering to all application instructions demonstrates compliance and attention to detail.
If an applicant has completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or higher academic qualification, the high school information is typically omitted. The higher credential implicitly confirms the completion of secondary education, making the high school entry redundant. Removing the secondary education entry saves resume space and maintains focus on the highest academic achievement.
Handling Non-Traditional High School Completion
Individuals who have not completed a traditional curriculum must clearly list recognized equivalency credentials on the resume. These alternatives demonstrate the same academic proficiency as a standard diploma and should use the same formatting standards. These entries replace the “High School Diploma” listing while retaining the name of the issuing authority or testing service.
General Educational Development (GED)
The most common equivalency credential should be listed as “GED Credential” or “High School Equivalency Certificate.” Avoid using the acronym alone, as adding “Credential” or “Certificate” provides necessary context. The entry should still include the city and state where the certificate was earned, if applicable.
High School Equivalency Test (HiSET)
This is a widely accepted testing pathway for demonstrating high school-level academic skills. The appropriate listing is “HiSET Certificate” or “High School Equivalency.” This ensures the designation is clear and unambiguous.
Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC)
The TASC assessment is used in several states as a replacement for other equivalency tests. List the credential as “TASC Certificate” or “High School Equivalency” to accurately reflect the achievement. Using the full name or the acronym followed by “Certificate” is the preferred method.
Key Details to Include (and Exclude)
Specific data points can be included alongside the diploma entry to provide context. The graduation year is important for recent graduates, as it establishes a clear professional timeline. Listing the year becomes less necessary as professional experience accumulates.
It is appropriate to list specialized academic achievements or specific honors if they are relevant to the target job. Examples include graduating with honors or noting relevant coursework that aligns with the career field. These additions should be concise and directly support the job application.
A common detail to exclude is the Grade Point Average (GPA). The GPA should only be listed if the applicant graduated very recently (within the last three years) and if it is exceptionally high (typically 3.5 or above). Detailed course descriptions, reasons for leaving a school, or specific extracurricular activities should be omitted to maintain focus.