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Six Steps to a Blockbuster Resume> STEP SIX: Education & Training

The Education and Training section will be configured in various ways depending on the target of your resume. This section of your resume should be prioritized (and included) according to:

• Your current career level (entry-level as opposed to professional)
• The purpose of your resume
• The country in which your resume will be distributed

Your current career level:

If you’re an entry-level candidate with little or no professional experience, your education should be presented immediately after the Qualifications Summary and/or skills area. The reasoning for this is that education is currently your most marketable asset. Here, you would include: GPA (if 3.5 or above) Awards/scholarships Dean’s list Coursework relevant to job search

If you’re a professional with five or more years of experience, Education should be listed last on your resume. GPAs, awards or scholarships, and mention of dean’s lists are not generally provided in a professional or executive resume, except for those used for entrance into graduate school programs.

The purpose of your resume:

Resumes sent to admissions directors for graduate school can list Education before Professional Experience or after, depending upon these factors:

1. If the applicant has just recently completed his bachelor’s degree, it should be listed before Professional Experience.


2. If the applicant has real-world experience related to the graduate degree she is seeking, the Professional Experience should be listed first.

The country in which your resume will be distributed:

If you are distributing your resume within the US, high school education is not included. The only exception to this rule would be if you’re applying for a job with the federal government. In that case, you would include high school data.

When distributing a resume outside the US, then high school education is included.

If you have not attended college:

Include all specialized training in your target field. Hiring managers generally prefer to see some post-secondary education.

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