How to list certifications on a resume.

Explore how to list certifications to enhance your professional success and overcome obstacles.

When it comes to making your resume stand out and be competitive for recruiters, highlighting any certifications you may have is key.

This article will walk you through the importance and process of listing your certifications so you can show your skills and qualifications on your job applications.

What are certifications on a resume?

Professional certifications are a way to validate your skills and knowledge in a particular area. They can be helpful when you’re looking for a job or trying to move up in your current company. There are many different types of certifications, but some of the most common ones are:

• Certified Information Security Systems Professional (CISSP)
• Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)

Depending on your field, there are many other certifications that could potentially benefit your career. Adding a list of your certifications to your resume can be a great way to validate that you’re qualified for a raise or a prospective new job.

Should a resume be one page? Considering the inclusion of certifications, it may be necessary to expand beyond a single page to effectively showcase your qualifications and impress potential employers.

Step by step — how to put certifications on your resume.

Now that you know the importance and unique value of certifications, you can read about the steps and must-knows about listing your certifications on a resume below.

1. List the title of the certification on your resume.

Be sure to spell out what the certification initials stand for. Don’t just put “CPP,” for example — spell out “Certified Protection Professional” as well. Also, list the sponsoring organization for each certification. If you work in the events and meeting industry, for instance, your list might look like this:

• Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP), International Live Events Association (ILEA)
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Events Industry Council
• Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), Scrum Alliance

2. Specify the certifying institution.

It’s always recommended to include the name of the organization or association that awarded your certification. This information will help recruiters and prospective employers when they’re trying to verify and confirm your achievements.

Remember to include the date you renewed your certification if required. Also, don’t forget to check for any spelling errors.

3. Add the date of the certification on your resume.

Include the dates you obtained and renewed your certifications. This can help recruiters and employers learn more about how long it has been since you were certified.

If your certification has an expiration date that hasn’t yet arrived, you should consider including this date as well. Avoid including an expiration date for the certification if this certification has expired.

4. Add the completion date in the resume certification section.

If you’re in the process of completing a certification, you can still list it in your resume, just like you would with an educational degree. Include the date you expect to complete the certification and how far into the process you already are. This can be helpful for recruiters to see how proficient you are with the skills you’re learning.

5. Highlight relevant skills on your resume.

It’s always a good idea to include — as long as you have room for it — the skills and abilities that are tied to the certifications you’ve listed. This is especially important for recruiters who may be unfamiliar with your certifications.

Describing the skills you learned helps them better understand what you know and are proficient with, as well as how you can best fit the role requirements.

Why a resume certification section should be added.

Adding professional certifications to your resume is a good idea for a few reasons:

• It shows that you are committed to your profession.
• Having relevant certifications can make you more attractive to potential employers if they show you have the skills and knowledge necessary to do a particular job.
• Certifications can help you stand out from the competition and may give you an edge in getting hired.

So, if you have any professional certifications, be sure to include them on your resume.

What happens if the certifications on a resume change?

It’s best to add your list of professional certifications to your resume when you’re first creating it, but sometimes things change. If you earn another relevant certification, you can edit PDFs even after converting a Word document to PDF for your resume.

Remember that a current resume that includes current information, such as professional and educational certifications, can serve as a strong tool in your job search, promotions, or raise negotiations.

Discover how Adobe Acrobat online services can aid you in writing your resume by helping you edit, convert, share, and send documents.