How to Put a GED on Your Resume

Should I put a GED on my resume?

A General Educational Development (GED) credential shows you have high school-level knowledge and skills. If it’s your highest level of education, list it in your resume’s education section just like a high school diploma.

Most employers treat a GED as equivalent to a high school diploma, so including it helps you meet basic educational requirements, especially for roles asking for a “high school diploma or equivalent.”

When to omit your GED

You can leave your GED off your resume if:

• You’ve earned a four-year college degree: Employers care more about your highest completed degree than how you qualified for admission.
• You have several years of relevant work experience: Your professional background speaks louder than your educational credentials.

GED vs. high school diploma

If you’re unsure whether an employer will accept a GED, apply anyway. Many job postings say “high school diploma or equivalent,” which includes GEDs.

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How to list a GED on your resume

Follow these guidelines to present your GED professionally on your resume:

List it in your resume’s education section

Your GED belongs in your education section. A clean, ATS-friendly format for your resume is “High School Equivalency Diploma (GED),” followed by your completion year and the testing authority.

This format reads well to both hiring managers and ATS software, which might filter out candidates who don’t list a high school education.

Using this approach also frames your GED as equivalent to a traditional high school diploma without overexplaining it.

If you’re currently working toward your GED, list it as in progress and add an expected completion date:

Where to place your education section

• If you have work experience: put your education section after your work experience to emphasize what you’ve accomplished professionally rather than your educational path.
• If you have no work experience (and no volunteering or internship experience to replace it): place your education right below your resume summary.

Strengthen your education section

Your GED meets baseline qualifications, but adding relevant coursework, training, or certifications makes your education section more competitive against applicants with a degree.

Add college coursework (even if incomplete)

College classes still signal post-secondary ability, even if you haven’t finished a degree. Here’s an example of how to include college-level studies:

Add educational achievements

Additional training and certifications show continuous learning that can set your resume apart. Group related achievements together and list the most job-relevant credentials first.
Here’s an example of how to include them in your education section:

If your target job requires several certifications, consider adding a standalone certifications section on your resume so employers can quickly confirm you meet their requirements.

Specify the type of GED

Not every state uses the standard GED test. Some other equivalency tests such as the HiSET (High School Equivalency Test). If you earned an alternative credential, name it.

Some states also offer adult education programs that involve completing coursework to earn a standard diploma rather than an equivalency certificate.

Your potential employer may place more value on a diploma earned through coursework rather than testing, so emphasize this on your resume:

GED Resume example

Here’s a complete resume showing how to present your GED effectively:

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Why this resume works

• Education section is clear and professional: The GED listing is ATS-friendly and listed with a completion date and testing body
• Experience leads: The candidate’s 4+ years of relevant work history take priority over education
• Certifications add value: CGDP, ServSafe, and CPR show hospitality-specific qualifications beyond high school equivalency

Create your resume in minutes

Our resume builder handles each section automatically, including education formatting for GED credentials.

Start with a professional template, add your information, and download your resume in minutes. The builder removes formatting guesswork, so you can focus on showcasing your qualifications.

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