Written By Debra Wheatman
Today we examine the top of Paul’s résumé. In fact, we are looking at just the very first line on his résumé, the title line. Paul has a few qualifying credentials, including two degrees and an industry certification. He has listed these credentials after his name. Is this right? Is it pretentious? What is appropriate? Let’s dig deeper on this topic so the first words on your résumé will not be a turn-off!
Paul M. Ermonte, BA, MBA, MCSE
Here are a few tips to help you determine which, if any, of your credentials are appropriate to list after your name on the title line of your résumé.
- All degrees relevant to your career goal should be listed at the bottom of the résumé under the “Education” category. All industry and professional certifications related to your career goal should be listed under the “Professional Certifications” category on your résumé.
- The only academic credentials (degrees) that you should list after your name at the top of the résumé should be doctorate level degrees, such as MD, DO, DDS, DVM, PhD, and EdD. A master’s degree or bachelor’s degree should never be included after your name. It does not rise to the level of a doctorate degree and is not appropriate on that top line.
- If you are applying for a position that requires a master’s degree (An MBA or MFA for example), you can include that in the résumé summary. However, adding it to the top line after your name is not appropriate.
- Professional credentials such as a CPA (Certified Professional Accountant) or PE (Professional Engineer) are highly-specialized credentials. Only list the professional credential specifically related to your job goal. Also, only list the high-caliber, marquee credentials. What defines high-caliber? Credentials that involve coursework, underlying degrees, practical work experience in the field, peer reviewed work, research papers, and an exam are of status above certifications that require online coursework and /or an exam. The other defining element is a credential that is the industry-recognized standard to show the candidate is able to practice in a certain occupation, such as RN.
If you are in doubt about whether to include a specific credential, it is better to omit it from the top line and mention it in the summary. Write me with this or any résumé question. I am happy to help.
As an expert in career development and resume crafting, I've spent years assisting individuals in optimizing their resumes to showcase their qualifications effectively. My expertise stems from working extensively with job seekers across diverse industries and coaching them on the nuances of resume writing to elevate their professional profiles.
The discussion on how to present credentials on a resume is crucial for leaving a strong first impression. In the article you've provided, Debra Wheatman outlines essential guidelines for including credentials effectively in the title line of a resume. She emphasizes the significance of strategically placing degrees and certifications, shedding light on what's considered appropriate or pretentious.
Here's a breakdown of the key concepts discussed in the article:
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Placement of Credentials: The article emphasizes that while certain credentials should be highlighted, they have specific placements within a resume. Academic degrees like doctorates (MD, DO, DDS, DVM, PhD, EdD) can be mentioned after a person's name at the top of a resume. However, master's and bachelor's degrees should be listed in the "Education" section at the bottom of the resume, not in the title line.
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Professional Certifications: Industry-specific certifications relevant to one's career goal should be included under the "Professional Certifications" section, highlighting their relevance and credibility within the field. Debra advises against listing every certification, focusing instead on those that hold industry recognition and signify expertise through coursework, work experience, peer-reviewed work, and exams.
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Job Relevance: The article stresses the importance of only including high-caliber, industry-recognized credentials relevant to the job one is applying for. For instance, professional credentials like CPA or PE should only be listed if directly related to the job goal.
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Use of Summary Section: If there's ambiguity about whether to include a specific credential, it's advised to omit it from the top line and instead mention it in the summary section. This approach ensures that relevant qualifications are highlighted without overcrowding the title line.
Debra Wheatman's insights align with industry standards, emphasizing the strategic presentation of credentials to create a favorable impression on prospective employers. Following these guidelines can significantly impact the perception of a candidate's qualifications on their resume, increasing the likelihood of securing interviews and job offers.
If you need further guidance on resume-related queries or any career-related advice, feel free to ask. I'm here to assist!
