Struggling to get interviews?
Certifications are credentials that prove you have the knowledge and training necessary to do a particular job or task. In fields like healthcare, having a certification or license is almost always required.
For most jobs, the best way to list certifications on your resume is to create a dedicated section with bullets for each certification and the date you earned it, like this:
CERTIFICATIONS
- Google Analytics Individual Qualification
June 20XX - HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification
September 20XX - Facebook Blueprint Digital Marketing Certification
May 20XX
When you should list certifications on your resume
When an employer requires specific certifications
If a company requires certifications for a particular job, make sure you list them clearly on your resume. Otherwise, you reduce your chances of being called in for an interview.
In most cases, the job advertisement mentions what certification or license is needed, but you should also research your industry to check for other relevant certificates you can earn.
Check O*NET online or explore other job postings in your target industry if you aren’t sure.
You want to show skills relevant to the job
If you have certifications that aren’t needed for the job (but could be helpful), include them to make your resume stand out. For example, you can list CPR and first aid certifications if you’re applying for a job where you’ll frequently be around customers or children.
You need to make up for a lack of work experience
If you’re looking for your first job in an industry and have no professional experience, listing the correct certification can help you get an interview. For example, if you’re trying to find your first job as a caterer, add food safety certifications to make your resume more competitive.
Resume examples for different industries
Not sure what your resume should look like? Take inspiration from resume examples written by other candidates in your industry to learn how to format your resume.
How to put certifications on your resume
Every certification you list on your resume requires the following information:
- Name of the certification
- Name of the organization that awarded it
- Date earned
- If completed in person, the location (city, state)
Here’s an example of this:
CERTIFICATIONS
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Project Management Institute
Chicago, IL
March 20XX
You can also include certifications that you’re currently working on by adding “In progress” next to the name of the certification, and including the date you’ll complete it.
CERTIFICATIONS
CompTIA Security+ (In progress)
CompTIA
Expected completion: June 20XX
Where to put certifications on a resume
1. In your certifications section
If you have multiple certifications that you want to list, list them in a separate “Certifications” section.
Where you put your certifications section depends on how important they are to the job you’re applying for.
If they’re required or highly relevant, put them near the top of your resume below your resume summary, like this:
Licensed RN recent graduate seeking to use earned skills and knowledge to assist Brandywine Hospital in a nursing role. Proven experience at handling any medical emergency or situation, with the skill-set to perform under pressure. Excellent interpersonal skills, and a dedicated worker with a sense of purpose to provide excellent care for patients. Possess a BS in Nursing.
CERTIFICATIONS
• New York State Board of Nursing, License #1234567
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certified by American Heart Association
If certifications aren’t required you can place them toward the bottom of your resume under your education section, like this:
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
University of Colorado, Boulder
Boulder, CO | Graduated: May 20XX
CERTIFICATIONS
- CPR & First Aid Certification | American Red Cross | 20XX
- AED Certification | American Heart Association | 20XX
2. In your skills section
If you need to save space and only have one or two certifications, change the title of the skills section of your resume to “Skills & Certifications” and list them there:
SKILLS & CERTIFICATIONS
- Microsoft Excel Associate certification – online course (20XX)
- Expert in amortization loan software and FAS Loan Service Plus
- Proficient in financial software (VueCentric MortgageDashboard)
3. In your resume summary
If you have a certification required by the job listing, mention it in your resume summary or resume objective at the top of your resume. This way, employers will immediately see that you’re qualified for the role.
Here’s an example of a certification in a resume summary:
RESUME SUMMARY
Detail-oriented Financial Analyst with 5+ years of experience developing and presenting informed analyses to guide executive-level decisions. Possesses an M.S. in Accounting, CFA certification, and extensive experience in financial software. Excited to leverage my strong analytical skills in support of team operations at Silver Management to become an indispensable asset.
More examples of certifications on a resume
Here’s an example from a sales resume:
- Meddic Certified | Meddic Sales Methodology Academy | Online Course / 20XX
- Sandler Sales, Silver Certified | Jane Smith Enterprises LLC | New York, NY / 20XX
- Spin Sales Training | John Miller International | New York, NY / 20XX
- HubSpot Inbound Sales Certification | HubSpot Academy | Online / 20XX
- Enterprise sales strategy
- Solution selling
- CRM management (Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Account relationship management
- Strategic planning
- Negotiation & closing techniques
- Client presentation
- Market research
- Consistently exceeded annual sales quota by 125%, generating over $3.5M in annual recurring revenue
- Developed and implemented strategic account management processes, increasing client retention by 40%
- Led enterprise sales efforts for cloud computing and AI solutions targeting Fortune 500 companies
- Managed a portfolio of 50+ key accounts with an average deal size of $250,000
- Recognized as top performer, ranking in the top 5% of sales team nationwide
- Pioneered a consultative selling approach that reduced sales cycle by 30%
- Closed 25+ new enterprise contracts, expanding company’s market presence in financial services sector
- Conducted comprehensive needs assessments and developed custom solution proposals
And here’s another example from an HR resume:
Chicago, IL | emily.richardson@email.com | (555) 987-6543 | LinkedIn: /in/emilyrichardson
Dedicated HR professional with a strategic approach to talent management, organizational development, and project implementation. Committed to advancing professional certifications and leveraging comprehensive HR expertise to drive organizational success and employee engagement.
- Talent acquisition
- Employee relations
- Performance management
- Training & development
- Organizational design
- Compensation & benefits
- HR strategy
- Project management
- Diversity & inclusion initiatives
- Develop and implement comprehensive talent acquisition strategies, reducing time-to-hire by 35%
- Design and facilitate leadership development programs for mid-level and senior management
- Manage full-cycle recruitment for critical roles across technology and operations departments
- Collaborate with executive team to align HR strategies with overall business objectives
- Streamline performance management processes, improving employee feedback mechanisms
- Led end-to-end HR operations for a 250-employee technology firm
- Implemented HRIS system, improving data management and reporting capabilities
- Developed and conducted new employee onboarding programs
- Managed employee relations, compensation, and benefits administration
- Ensured compliance with federal and state employment regulations
Resume Genius University
Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources Management
Graduation Date: May 20XX
- SHRM Certified Professional | Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) | Chicago, IL / In Progress (Expected Completion: January 20XX)
- Professional in Human Resources | Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) | Chicago, IL / 20XX
- Project Management Professional | Project Management Institute (PMI) | Online Course / 20XX
- SHRM-CP Exam Preparation Course | SHRM Learning System | Online / 20XX
About the Author
Nathan Soto is dedicated to providing practical guidance to job seekers, especially people with nonlinear career paths.
Nathan graduated from the University of Nevada with a double B.A. in French and Music. His articles and career advice have been featured on multiple platforms, offering insights into resume writing, interview preparation, and personal branding.
