How To Put Certifications On Your CV In 2024

After weeks of tirelessly searching for jobs, you are still out of luck. What have you not done, from editing your resume to short-listing the jobs you want to apply to?

You have even trained yourself for each and every interview question that is asked by the interviewers.

Still, you find no luck (or receive no call for an interview)… Sob, sob!

Hold up, silly, have you listed your certifications in your resume? Oh no, you haven’t! Why? What stopped you? Well, you didn’t know how to. So, this was the case!

Well, count your lucky stars because this is exactly what we are going to discuss in our blog below.

 So, give it a read right now, and by the end of this blog, you will be well aware of how to put certifications on your resume to get the job that you deserve. Let us get going!

Hold Your Horses, What Are Certifications?

Certifications are documents that are awarded by accredited institutions, such as professional organisations, associations, or boards. They highlight that the candidate possesses certain skills or that they have reached a specific level of proficiency. There are countless certifications one can get.

These certificates add more value to your resume. If you are not sure how to add them to your application, maybe hire any top CV services in Abu Dhabi, or if you want to write your application yourself, then read below. We have briefly discussed each step to help you put your certifications together efficiently.

Steps To Format Certifications Entry On A Resume

Your recruiter would want to know every bit of detail regarding your certification. So, it is vital that you not only write its name but also share the important details. Here are the basic steps you can follow to list your certifications easily on your resume.

Step No. 1 – List The Certification’s Title

It is important that you list the complete title of your obtained certification as a bullet point under the heading “Certifications”. Make sure to type the title correctly and to spell out any abbreviations, too. It will help the prospective recruiter conduct their search using the complete title if they are unfamiliar with the certification.

Step No. 2 – Mention The Name Of The Host Organization

To verify the validity of your certification, you have to list the name of the association from where you received it. Keep in mind to spell it out as well and proofread for any typos. If you are sending your resume online, then consider inserting a link to the organization’s website directly in your application. By doing so, you will make it easier for your hiring manager to conduct their research.

Step No. 3 – List The Date Earned

There are a lot of reasons why one must list the date on which they earned their certification. Some of them are:

1. It informs your hiring manager of how long it has been since you earned the certification.
2. It offers your recruiter enough information that they require in order to call the issuing organisation and confirm that you truly earned your certification from them.
3. It also gives insights to your hiring manager into whether your certification needs to be renewed or not.

Or List The Prospective Earn Date

However, if you have not earned your certification yet and are in the process of earning it, it won’t hurt anyone to list it on your resume along with the expected date to be awarded. You can also include how far along you really are in the certification process.

Step No. 4 – Provide Details On The Associated Skills

If you have enough space in your resume and if your acquired skills are directly relevant, then you might want to include a short list of some specific skills that are associated with the certification. By doing this, you can help explain the relevance of your awarded certification to your field and thus answer any queries your hiring manager might have. Wouldn’t that be great?

If you are still unsure as to how to put certifications on your resume, then stop being so hard on yourself. Rather, seek help from any of the best CV writing services in Dubai. We assure you that these experts will make your application shine a bit brighter than those of other job applicants. How wonderful!

An Example Of How To Put Certifications On Your Resume

Consider this – you have earned a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification. Instead of writing “TEFL” on your resume, it is recommended that you write the full form and write each acronym at least once in your application.

The point of doing so? It will facilitate the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software and humans to read your resume. Here are the correct and incorrect ways of listing your certification to help you differentiate between both of them.

• Correct Way: Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certification, International TEFL Academy, 2023
• Incorrect Way: TEFL, 2023

Where To Add Certifications To Your Resume

There are many places where you can put your certifications in your application. As mentioned above, the most ideal one is below a dedicated “Certifications” heading. On the basis of how significant your certification is, you can also add them to these resume sections:

1. Your resume summary
2. Your contact information
3. Your education section

Are Udemy certificates worth mentioning in my resume?

Yes, why not? Highlighting any certifications you achieved from Udemy is more beneficial if you can showcase how the skills you acquired from the course are relevant to the position you have applied for. Simply listing your certifications without demonstrating how they will help you in your career path might not be as impactful.

Can we add certificates to a resume?

Yes, you can most definitely add your certifications to your resume. If you have one or two certificates, consider adding them in the header of your resume. However, if you have more than two, then it would be wiser to put them in a separate section.

Should a resume include certificates?

Yes! You must include any certifications in your resume only if they are relevant or required for the position that you are applying for. For many career fields, however, listing them is optional.

What is a certificate on a CV?

Certifications are official documents that are awarded to a candidate and verify training, qualification, study, or course. Including these certifications in your resume can make you catch your hiring manager’s eye and help you stand out from the competitors.

Summing It All Up!

Indeed, certification proves to be a valuable addition to your resume that can help you stand apart from your competitors. These documents make your resume more appealing, enhance your credibility, and validate your expertise to potential employers.

However, it is important to be strategic while choosing and presenting these certifications to make sure they match your career goals as well as the job that you are applying for. In these challenging times, the job market is likely to remain competitive. So, staying up-to-date with relevant certifications can help you stand out easily.

So, while tailoring your resume, create a dedicated section to add your list of certifications. Keep the information organised and concise. Moreover, prioritize the most relevant ones. By following these guidelines and choosing the right certification for your application, you can enhance your chances of securing your dream job and proceeding in your career. So, boost your resume to greater heights by adding your certifications to it.