Written By Jennifer Inglis
Edited By Jess Feldman
Course Report strives to create the most trust-worthy content about coding bootcamps. Read more about Course Report’s Editorial Policy and How We Make Money.
Course Report strives to create the most trust-worthy content about coding bootcamps. Read more about Course Report’s Editorial Policy and How We Make Money.
You worked hard to get those tech certifications, and now it’s time to put them to good use—on your resume! Certifications help your job search by verifying to potential employers that you have the skills that they’re looking for, so make sure to effectively include them on your resume to give you the edge you need to stand out from the crowd. In this guide, learn how to incorporate your certifications into your resume and LinkedIn profile. Plus, our advice on how to talk about your certifications in a job interview.
While these terms are often—incorrectly—used interchangeably, they’re actually different things. A credential is a broad term that means anything that can be used to prove a person’s qualifications or skills, while a certification is a specific type of credential that demonstrates competence in a particular skill or area. To illustrate, a “credential” is an umbrella term, and “certification” is one of the things that can fall under that umbrella.
You can also break it down this way:
Credential: a document that shows that a person has the knowledge to complete a task, such as a college degree, professional license, or a security clearance.
Certification: a formal confirmation by a professional organization that an individual has met a set of standards and demonstrated competency in a specific area, such as CompTIA, Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals, or AWS Cloud Practitioner.
Keep in mind, too, that getting a certification is different from a degree, and will be listed separately on your resume. A certification is also not to be confused with a professional license, which is usually issued by a state organization and is required by law before you can do the job, such as a teaching, nursing or law license (and they also require ongoing professional development to renew them).
Pro Tip: It’s important to remember that “certification” and “online certificates” are not the same thing. Online courses or certificates are generally not standardized and are not issued by an accredited organization. They’re still valuable, however, as they verify that you’ve completed certain courses, and should be included in the education section of your resume along with your degrees and certifications. |
You should list certifications because they may be required for the position, and you don’t want your resume to be overlooked if you have them! But even if a certification isn’t listed as a job requirement, you should list them:
However, best practice dictates that you shouldn’t include certifications on your resume that are not relevant to the job you’re applying for, or if the certification has expired (and you’re not going to renew it). Also make sure to differentiate between your certifications and your online certificates.
Include certifications that are relevant to the position you’re applying for on your resume. If you’re applying for a software developer position, you would definitely want to feature your Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) certification. Try to take the point of view of a hiring manager, and tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for and what skills your certification implies.
For example: A Scrum master certification demonstrates your coaching, teaching, and organizational skills, and that you can facilitate streamlined work processes. This would give you an edge and help you stand out from other similarly skilled candidates.
Remember: Only include certifications if they’re relevant to the position you're applying for and increase your value as a candidate. If you include other certifications—say, your Human Resources certification when you’re applying for a data scientist role—hiring managers might think your application was in error or that you’re not committed to your current career path. You might be proud of that CPR certification, but unless you’re applying for a job in a hospital, leave it out of your job materials!
You have a bit of flexibility when it comes to listing your certifications on your resume, as it depends on your format and overall work experience. You can modify your “Education” section and call it “Education and Certifications” and place it near the bottom of your resume after your work history.
There’s no “one size fits all” rule when it comes to your resume, so use your best judgement on placement, or use a resume template that fits your current experience level.
Pro Tip: If you’re a fresh grad or career changer without a lot of practical work experience, position your education/certification section near the top under your professional summary. You can also mention your certifications in your professional summary, which is a 2-3 sentence synopsis of your career path and achievements. |
If you choose to have one section titled, “Education and Certifications,” list your degrees first (school name, degree, and your graduation date if it’s less than 10 years ago), then list your certifications in a second paragraph. You can also place them under separately titled sections.
Regardless, the formatting of your certifications will be the same. List them in reverse-chronological order (most recent certification first) and include:
Examples of formatting:
You should also list these certifications in your “Skills” section so that the hiring manager doesn’t miss them!
To include your certifications on LinkedIn, you’ll include the same information as above. To add to your LinkedIn profile, follow the following steps:
LinkedIn breaks it down this way for desktop:
Chances are that the hiring manager will have a good idea of your certifications before calling you into an interview—after all, they’ve seen your resume. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bring them up during the course of discussion. The key is to work your certifications into your answers, rather than just listing them (unless they ask you to, of course).
So how do you do that? The key is to keep it relevant to the position you’re interviewing for. Instead of just “name dropping,” explain how you used a specific certification on the job in past projects and the successful outcomes you had from utilizing the skills you learned to get that certification. Since the person you’re talking to may not have a tech background (more likely if it’s a first-round interview), avoid overly-technical jargon and explain how your skills and expertise contributed positively to the success of the project.
Pro Tip: When crafting your interview answers, including those regarding your certifications, consider utilizing the STAR method. STAR is an acronym that stands for:
Utilizing the STAR method to craft your interview answers not only helps you be clear and concise, it helps you connect with the interviewer and demonstrate that you’re a good fit for the job. |
Jennifer Inglis, Guest Editor
Jennifer Inglis is a freelance writer, editor, and content creator with extensive professional expertise in advertising, media analysis, teaching, writing, and literature. Prior to becoming a writer, Jennifer was a Media Analyst for ten years and then earned her master's degree in Teaching, instructing middle-school students in college/career readiness, writing, and public speaking..
Jess Feldman, Content Manager at Course Report
Jess Feldman is an accomplished writer and the Content Manager at Course Report, the leading platform for career changers who are exploring coding bootcamps. With a background in writing, teaching, and social media management, Jess plays a pivotal role in helping Course Report readers make informed decisions about their educational journey.
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