7 Resume Writing Tips for Your Education Section

7 Resume Writing Tips for Your Education SectionResume Writing Tips for Education Section7 Resume Writing Tips for Your Education SectionEducation is usually the most straightforward resume section to write. In most cases, it is what it is. But there are a few factors that can make things a little cloudy. These seventips will help you determine how to complete the Education section of your resume. Theyll help you decide what to include, what to leave out, and what to do about that school you attended but didnt graduate.TIP 1List your highest level of education first, then work your way backward to high school. If youve earned a bachelors degree or higher, do not include your high school information.Example2007 Master of Science in Information TechnologyGeorgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA2005Bachelor of Science in Computer ScienceUniversity of Idaho, Moscow, IDTIP 2Include your GPA only if it is higher than 3.0 and its been less than three years since you graduated. (Exceptio n If the employer specifically asks for it.)Example2010 Bachelor of Arts, PsychologyUniversity of Massachusetts, Amherst, MAGPA 3.75TIP 3If you graduated within, say, the past three years, its appropriate to mention academic honors or extracurricular leadership roles, (but not if theyre political, religious, or controversial). Once you have two or three years of work experience, you should drop the school-related activities from your resume.Example2010 Burlington High School, Burlington, IA GPA 3.9Class Salutatorian, Student Council Treasurer 2008-2010,Captain of Lacrosse kollektivTIP 4If you attended college, but did not graduate, include the dates you attended, your major, and how many credits you earned toward your degree. List your high school after the college information.Example Franklin Community College, Springfield, MO2002-2003 Completed 30 credits toward Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education Springfield High School, Springfield, MOGraduated 2002TIP 5If you attende d high school, but did not graduate, just show the years you attended. If you later earned a GED, put that above the high school listing, and indicate the date.Example 2002 GED High School Equivalency DiplomaErie Adult Learning Center, Erie PAErie Vocational Technical High School, Erie, PA1998-2001TIP 6If you earned a license for a trade after high school, and its related to the job youre pursuing, you can either put it above the high school listing in your Education section, or create a separate section called Licensure (or similar) and put it there.Example2000Esthetician LicenseColin-Carter Beauty School, Denver, CO1998 West Boulder High School, Boulder, COTIP 7Should you eliminate graduation dates on your resume if youre older than 40 or 45? Thats a judgment call youll have to make yourself. If you list your graduation date, youre effectively revealing your age, which might be perceived as a negative (or a neutral or a positive, for that matter). If you dont, employers might assu me youre trying to hide your age. They might perceive that as a smart move, or an insult to their intelligence. You cant know how it will be perceived, so do what feels right for you.