Put your GED in your resume’s education section
If you’re writing a resume and want to add your GED, place it in your resume’s education section.
When you list your GED, write its full name followed by the acronym in parentheses to ensure the hiring manager or applicant tracking system (ATS) sees relevant resume keywords like “diploma” or “high school.”
States use the GED or HiSET test, or both, so here’s what you should usually write:
However, some states have their own GED requirements. For instance, if you’re applying to work in California, the employer may request a California High School Equivalency Certificate, so you’d need to list that instead.
Our free-to-use resume builder can make you a resume in as little as 5 minutes. Just pick the template you want, and our software will format everything for you.
If you’re unsure what to list, check the job requirements or contact the employer for clarification.
Here are examples of how to put your GED, HiSET, or California High School Equivalency Certificate on your resume:
If you’re putting your GED on your resume, you don’t need to list your high school.
How to add your GED if you have work experience
If you have some work experience, choose a resume format that places your GED near the bottom of your resume. Highlighting your professional experience at the top of your resume can help you overcome any stigma the hiring manager attaches to a GED.
Here’s an example that shows how to put your GED on a resume if you have work experience:
Write a powerful resume work experience section that uses action verbs and quantifies your skills with hard numbers to ensure the hiring manager doesn’t overlook you because you listed your GED.
How to put your GED on your resume without experience
If you have no relevant work experience to include on your resume, you’ll have to put your GED near the top of your resume, but you don’t have to lead with it.
Instead, list your relevant volunteer work on your resume (if you have any), and write an expanded resume skills section.
Employers are looking for well-rounded candidates with the hard skills needed to perform their jobs, as well as the soft skills needed to fit into the company’s culture. So highlight both your hard and soft skills.
Here’s a list of hard skills for your resume, depending on what industry you work in:
- Language skills
- Computer skills
- Software skills
- Research skills
- Coding skills
- Administrative skills
- Equipment operation
- Legal knowledge
These are some of the top soft skills employers value:
- Leadership skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Communication skills
- Management skills
- Organizational skills
- Teamwork
Only include the skills you can prove you have, as lying on your resume could cost you a chance at the job you want.
If you’re writing a resume with no experience, ensure any volunteer experience or extracurricular activities you list showcase how you’ve used your skills.
Here’s an example of how to list your GED on a resume with no work experience:
How to list your GED if you’re still working on it
If you’re still working on your GED, you can list it in your resume by adding “in progress,” or “Expected date: [date]” in parentheses after the GED title.
For example:
When not to list your GED on your resume
If you’re attending college or have graduated from college after receiving your GED, don’t list it. Employers don’t need to know how you got into college, just that you were able to.
However, you should include your GED on your resume if you’re attending or graduated from a vocational school because some of these schools accept students without a GED or high school diploma.
