Nearly two-thirds of employers incorporate skills-based hiring in their screening process.(1) Relevant certifications validate key skills that will promote success in a particular role. Including them on your resume is therefore critical to setting yourself apart as a competent, dedicated, and qualified candidate.

This article will cover:

• Why certifications matter to employers
• How to list certifications on your resume step-by-step
• Mistakes to avoid when including your certifications
• FAQs to answer your most pressing questions

We’ll also provide you with lots of resume examples to ensure that you have an effective job application that positions you for job-hunting success.

What are certifications?

Certifications essentially prove that you have mastered specific skills and met certain qualifications that pertain to your profession. Certifications are typically awarded by official associations, accredited boards, or other well-recognized experts. Often, you must pay a fee, take a course of some kind, and pass an assessment or final exam in order to earn a certification.

There are many different types of certifications available for various professions, such as:

• NCLEX-RN certification for nurses
• Board certification for surgeons
• CPR/lifeguard/first aid/EMT certification
• Teaching certifications
• Business and accounting certifications
• Online certifications for SEO, marketing, etc.

Why you should include certifications on a resume

There are three main instances when it’s a good idea to include your certifications on your resume:

1. If certifications are required for the position

Of course, if a certification is specifically required for the position that you are applying for, you should include that certification on your resume to demonstrate that you are qualified and a good fit for the job. If you don’t list that you have the certification, you may not be considered for the position.

2. To demonstrate relevant skills or experience

In some cases, a certification might not be required for the position that you are applying for, but you might still wish to include a certification that shows you have relevant skills and experience. Additionally, some certifications are only available to professionals who have worked a certain number of years in the field, so including such a certification can serve to verify your level of work experience.

Some employers might not require certain skills, but they may give preference to applicants who possess certain desirable skills and experience.

Jobseeker’s resume builder tool, which is powered by AI, offers tailored skill recommendations for your resume to ensure that it better aligns with what hiring managers and recruiters are looking for.

Save time by streamlining the creation process with resume templates and cover letter examples that can help you highlight certifications and achievements to make your application more impactful.

Certifications are a tangible way to reinforce your skills and experience, which can give you an advantage over applicants who have similar experience but lack the certifications that you have.

3. To supplement limited work experience

Finally, it can be beneficial to list your certifications when you have little or no relevant work experience. For example, if you are a high school student applying for your first job and you obtain a lifeguarding certification, your chances of being hired as a lifeguard increase exponentially. This same concept also applies for college students, recent graduates, and those who are changing careers. Investing in your future by obtaining a certification shows employers that you are dedicated to developing your skills and committed to your success in the field.

For the most part, you will likely only want to include certifications that are directly relevant to the position that you are applying for. However, if you have space left over on your resume, you may wish to include other certifications that may not be directly related but that have still helped you gain transferable skills and experience.

How to list certifications on a resume

If you’ve decided that it makes sense for you to include certifications on your resume, make sure to include these pieces of information for each of your certifications:

1. List the certification title

List the complete official name of the certification that you have earned. Keep in mind that some hiring managers or recruiters may not be familiar with your certifications, so they might need to research the exact title in order to see how it bolsters your ability to perform in the role. Spell out abbreviations for extra clarity.

2. Name the host organization

Make sure to include the name of the organization, association, board, or entity that gave you the certification to add validity. Again, spell out the full name of the awarding body in case a recruiter or potential employer isn’t familiar with the organization. You can also include a clickable link to the organization’s website if you are submitting your resume online.

3. Add the date earned/expiry

It’s also important to list the date that you earned each of your certifications. This shows potential employers how long you’ve been certified in your area of expertise, and having the certification date allows them to more easily verify your credentials if necessary. If your certification needs to be renewed periodically, include your most recent renewal date as well as your initial certification date. You might also wish to include an expiration date in this case.

If you are currently in the process of earning a certification, you can still list it on your resume. In that case, include the anticipated certification date and give an indication of how much of the certification process you have already completed.

4. Highlight relevant skills gained

If it’s not immediately apparent what skills you may have gained from a certification, you may also wish to include a brief description of what the certification entails, the skills you gained from completing it, and/or how it’s relevant to the position that you are applying for.

5. Provide other important details

Depending on the certification, there could be other information that will be helpful for employers to know, so you may wish to add more details. For example, some certifications are location-specific, so you may need to include the location parameters of your certification if applicable.

Mistakes to avoid when listing certifications

Here are some potential pitfalls you should remain aware of when highlighting your relevant certifications on your resume or cover letter:

• Listing irrelevant certifications won’t emphasize your qualifications for the role
• Including expired certifications may give the impression of outdated knowledge
• Featuring too many certifications can make you come across as unfocused
• Giving vague course names may make it difficult to understand what you learned

By keeping your resume free of these mistakes, you’ll be able to better showcase your unique skills and qualifications.

Where to list certifications on your resume

There are several different places that you can highlight your certifications on your resume. First, if you have any post-nominal letters or titles (such as PhD, CPA, MD, etc.), you can list these next to your name at the top of your resume. You can also mention relevant certifications in your resume summary and in your education section if it makes sense to do so. Finally, you can create a separate certification section as well.

Examples of certifications on a resume

Here are a few resume examples showing how certifications might look when they appear on your document:

Jobseeker’s resume builder and resources can help you structure your certifications and suggest relevant skills and achievements tailored to your profession.

How to list an in-process certification

While most resume articles focus on certifications you already have, you can (and should) list certifications that you’re still working toward on your resume. Doing so signals a commitment to continual learning and professional growth.

To include these certifications, simply add the words “in progress” to the certification title. Then, instead of adding the date earned or the date of expiry, you can include the expected completion date. 

Here’s an example:

Top certifications that boost a resume

Are you wondering which certifications can increase your chances of landing a great role? Here are several that tend to stand out to the hiring managers and recruiters who will be reading your resume:

Make a point of adjusting your resume and cover letter templates to include only those certifications that are most relevant to and likely to increase your performance in the role you’re currently applying for.

Key takeaways

Listing certifications on your resume can validate your skills and distinguish you from other candidates. To make your certifications shine:

• List only those that are relevant to the position
• Avoid listing vague or expired certifications or course names
• List certs in multiple places, including next to your name, in the summary or education section, or in a dedicated section of their own
• Include the certification title, host organization name, date earned, and date of expiry
• Stay up to date with industry trends to know the top certifications hiring managers want to see

Not sure how to start translating your certifications and skills into an attention-grabbing resume? You can easily add certifications to your resume with Jobseeker’s resume builder tool, which provides professional resume templates, AI skill suggestions, and instant formatting to help you stand out.

Sources:

(1) National Association of Colleges and Employers: Nearly Two-Thirds of Employers Use Skills-based Hiring Practices for New Entry-level Hires

(2) Bureau of Labor Statistics: Professional certifications and occupational licenses: evidence from the Current Population Survey

(3) Coursera: New Coursera survey shows high demand for industry micro-credentials from students and employers in tight labor market