how to write bs degree on resume

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How to Write Your Degree on a Resume

Last Updated: April 19, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Colleen Campbell, PhD . Dr. Colleen Campbell is the Founder and CEO of The Ignite Your Potential Centers, Career and Life Coaching based in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. Colleen received her MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology from Sofia University and has been career coaching since 2008. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 402,578 times.

Including information about your degree in a resume can be tricky business. You might wonder where to place your education section, how to list multiple degrees, or whether to list things like dates or your GPA. While there are few set rules about formatting or including content, there are several guidelines to follow. Format your education and other sections consistently. Include your university, its location, and your degree title, and list the date only if you’re a recent grad. Be concise and strategic when writing your resume, and try to include only relevant information that will make your application as competitive as possible.    

Sample Resumes

Formatting Your Education Section

• For example, if you bold employers’ names in your experience section, write your college in bold, especially if it’s a prestigious school or one known for excellence in your field.
• Use a standard sans-serif font, like Arial, for easy readability. Use a 10-12 point size for general text and 14-16 point for section headings.   

• If you’re a recent grad with a high GPA, you could opt to include your GPA. Just be sure to explain your GPA system by writing, for example, “3.92/4.0.”
• You can also include your graduation year if you’re a recent grad. Otherwise, you should avoid including dates, especially if your degree is older than 15 years.
• An example degree listing could be: Yale University, New Haven, CT. Bachelor of Arts in English, Magna cum laude .

• Avoid unnecessary words elsewhere in your resume, too. For example, don’t write “Email:” or “Phone:” before listing your contact information. Just write your email address and phone number.

• If you’re not a recent grad or have substantial professional experience, place your relevant experience section ahead of your education. In general, professional experience is more valuable information than your education.

• If you double majored, you can just list both degrees in the same section under your university: Yale University , New Haven, CT. Double major: Bachelor of Arts, English. Bachelor of Arts, Art History.

• If not, and if your high school diploma is your highest degree, include your high school's name and location, graduation date (if it's within the last three years), and, if it's above a 3.5/4.0, your GPA: Nashua High School, Nashua, New Hampshire High School Diploma, 2016. GPA: 3.8
• If your highest degree is a GED diploma or state equivalent certificate, include it if you don't have substantial work experience: Education General Educational Development Diploma, 2016. Education CHSPE (Certificate of Proficiency from the State of California), 2016.

Including the Best Information

• Don’t include undergraduate degree acronyms after your name. For example, never write, “Jane Smith, B.A.”

• Exceptions to this rule include study abroad programs or coursework at prestigious institutions. For example, you might include relevant information like this: University of Georgia , Athens, GA. Bachelor of Science in Biology (Marine Biology emphasis), 2016. University of Auckland , Auckland, New Zealand. Study abroad program with emphasis in ecological preservation.

• For example, you could describe an incomplete undergraduate degree like this: Yale University , New Haven, CT. Bachelor of Science, Biology (expected 2017)
• You could describe a graduate degree like this: Yale University , New Haven, CT Master of Business Administration degree candidate Thesis under development; anticipated completion June 2018

Tailoring Your Resume for Each Application

• For example, suppose you’re applying for an engineering job and earned an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering in 2009 and a master’s in graphic design in 2012. You should list your engineering degree first.
• You might have also researched your prospective job and found that the department head who will read your resume graduated from your undergraduate university. You might then want to include your undergraduate degree first and place your education section at the top of your resume.

• For example, you could structure your education section like this: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering , University of Texas, Austin, TX. Relevant courses : Thermodynamics, Properties of Engineering Materials, Solid Mechanics, Dynamics of Machines, Strength of Mechanical Components.

• For example, instead of listing computer programs and other skills you learned at school in a block of text under your degree, put them in a separate section at the top of your resume. Be sure to include skills, programs, and other keywords from the job posting.    

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://careercenter.georgetown.edu/major-career-guides/resumes-cover-letters/resume-formatting-tips/
• ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/how-to-list-education-on-a-resume
• ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/high-school-education-on-resume
• ↑ https://www.southeastern.edu/admin/career_srv/student_alumni/build_a_resume/assets/resume-faq2.pdf
• ↑ https://careerservices.fas.harvard.edu/blog/2023/01/17/exactly-when-where-and-how-to-list-certifications-on-your-resume-because-youve-earned-them/
• ↑ https://career.arizona.edu/resources/tailoring-your-resume/
• ↑ https://icc.ucdavis.edu/materials/resume/step2

About This Article

To write your degree on your resume, start by writing the name of your school, followed by where it's located. Then, write your degree and any honors you received. For example, you would write something like, “Yale University, New Haven, CT. Bachelor of Arts in English, 2.1” If you’re a recent grad with a high GPA, you can include your score at the end. Write your degree at the top of your education section so it’s above your high school. If you've completed or you're currently studying a postgraduate degree, put this above your undergraduate degree so it's in chronological order. In addition to your major, feel free to include your minor underneath if it’s relevant to the job you’re applying for. If you haven’t graduated yet, you can still include your degree on your resume, but make it clear that you’re still studying by putting something like, “Expected 2020,” in brackets at the end. For more tips from our Careers co-author, including how to tailor your resume for each job application, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to list a degree on your resume: Quick and easy guide

A strong education could catapult you toward your dream job. To showcase your studies to recruiters, learn how to list a degree on your resume. Fortunately, there’s a straightforward formula you can use time and time again. Within this guide, we will cover the following: 

• Why you should list a degree, or degrees, on your resume.
• General formatting advice when listing your degree or degrees.
• How to write an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree on your resume.
• Additional expert tips on how to format and write your education section .

Why should you list a degree on your resume?

It’s important to list your degree on your resume. Let’s face it, you don’t want those years of studying to go to waste. It takes an average of four to six years to earn a bachelor’s degree. Add that to your blood, sweat, and cash, and it’s quite a hefty investment. 

When you’re applying for a job, a degree is a notable achievement . Whether it applies to the role or otherwise, it may turn the hiring manager’s head. Having a solid educational foundation shows that you have what it takes to work hard and succeed. If you are up against candidates with only a high school diploma, it may give you the competitive edge. 

Having a degree shows drive, determination, and skill. However, you may no longer need one to land certain skill-based roles. The last decade has seen a colossal shift. More employers than ever are now prioritizing skills over education alone. 

According to Harvard Business Review , between 2017 and 2019 employers lowered degree requirements for 46% of middle-skill positions and 31% of high-skill positions. While some positions will always require a degree, the same isn’t true across industries. It’s worth checking out the job market when you’re considering a college education. 

There’s a right and wrong way to list your degree on your resume. Before you start working on your application, learning how to format this achievement is a major bonus. 

How to list a degree on your resume: General format

When listing a degree on your resume, it needs to be clear and simple. Recruiters’ time is precious. They should be able to scan your document and get the information they need. 

Luckily, there’s a standard format you can use every time. You will need to include the following details: 

• The University Name
• Start and End Dates
• Degree Type
• Minor (if you had one!)

Looking to bolster your resume ? You can add some extra information about your degree. With that in mind, you may find that it’s useful to include: 

• Coursework Subjects
• Extracurricular Activities

If you were a member of a society or club during college — and it applies to the role — you might want to mention it. For example, if you were President of the Anthropological Society and you’re applying to work at a museum, be sure to mention it on your resume. 

Check out our example below: 

University of Texas at Dallas, TX

Bachelor of Science in Business

Aug 2008 - May 2012

• Graduated with High Honors

While you don’t have to list bullet points below your degree, it can be useful. Figure out how much space you have on your resume before you add in these extras. 

How to list multiple degrees on your resume

Are you a serial student? If you happen to have more than one degree under your belt, you must highlight that on your resume. As a general rule, you should use a reverse chronological approach. That means that your most recent degree appears first. 

Of course, rules are there to be broken. If one of your degrees is more relevant to the job role than the other, you can highlight it by listing it first. Note that is the only time that you can switch up the order of your degrees on your resume. 

Needless to say, your degrees sit under the education section of your resume. When it comes to formatting, they need to go above each other in order. See our example here: 

Master of Science in Business

Sept 2012 - Sept 2014

Once again, you can bullet-point some additional details below. However, you don’t want your education to take up too much space on your resume. Consider whether you have enough room to add in your GPA , honors, subjects, or any extra information. 

Work and study now, graduate later. If that’s your timeline and you’re looking for a job, don’t let this common sticking point stand in your way: How do I put my expected graduation date on a resume? It’s really quite easy. Here are some tips and examples.

How to write an associate degree on your resume 

An associate’s degree is the lowest level of higher education, taking around two years to complete. When you’re listing this certificate on your resume, you should use the term ‘Associate of’. For example, you might write ‘Associate of Arts’ or ‘Associate of Science’. 

Most of the time, you should use the full name for this type of degree. However, if you have a load of information to squeeze onto your resume, there are abbreviations you can use. Most employers will understand the following: 

• AB = Associate of Business
• ABA - Associate of Business Administration
• AA = Associate of Arts
• AS = Associate of Science
• AAS = Associate of Applied Science

Don’t get too jazzy with the formatting. You should use the same format we have already mentioned and slip the ‘Associate of’ line beneath the university name. See our example: 

Associate of Arts in English Literature

Aug 2012 - Aug 2014

Avoid using columns when listing your education. More than 50% of U.S. businesses now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to vet candidates. Complicated resume designs may confuse the software, meaning your application ends up in the ‘junk’ pile.

Volunteer work can be a wonderful way to feature a variety of valuable skills, Here's a list of how to add volunteer work to your resume.

How to write a bachelor’s degree on your resume 

Next up, let’s talk about bachelor’s degrees. When listing this type of degree on your resume, you should use the words ‘Bachelor of’ plus your discipline. So, you might write that you have a ‘Bachelor of Science’ or a ‘Bachelor of Education’. 

Do you need to save some space? If things are getting tight, you can use some common abbreviations. Here are the main ones that you need to know about: 

• BS = Bachelor of Science
• BA = Bachelor of Arts
• BEd = Bachelor of Education
• BBA = Bachelor of Business Administration
• BLA = Bachelor of Liberal Arts
• BSW = Bachelor of Social Work
• BFA = Bachelor of Fine Arts

If possible, you should write out the full title of your degree. However, if you’re applying for a role in which the hiring manager will be familiar with the abbreviation, you can use it. For instance, if you are going for a job at a school, the employer will understand BEd. 

Need some inspiration? Check out our example here: 

Bachelor of Social Work  

Winning an award at work or during your education might seem like a pleasant pat on the back at the time, but a relevant award can also impress a potential hiring manager.

How to write a master’s degree on your resume 

So you got a master’s degree? Good for you! You might have guessed it already — you’re going to use the words ‘Master of’ along with the discipline. Some examples of this include ‘Master of Arts’ and ‘Master of Science’. 

Once again, there are some abbreviations you can use if you need to. Here are some of the most common ones you need to familiarize yourself with: 

• MS (or MSc) = Master of Science
• MA = Master of Arts
• MEd = Master of Education
• MBA = Master of Business Administration
• ME = Master of Engineering
• MIB = Master of International Business
• MFA = Master of Fine Arts
• MAT = Master of Arts in Teaching
• MH = Master of Humanities

Chances are, you will stack your master’s degree above any previous degrees on your resume. The format you need to use is the same as before. Here’s an example: 

Master of Arts in English Language 

Decide whether you want to use periods in your abbreviations. For example, you can choose between writing ‘MAT’ and ‘M.A.T’ when listing your degree. Simply make sure that you take the same approach to all of the degrees you list. Consistency is key.

If you’ve gone through the trials of writing a paper or article, don’t be afraid to brag about it. Here’s how to list publications on your resume like a professional.

Key takeaways

• Degrees may give you the competitive edge when applying for jobs. However, more and more recruiters are now valuing skills more highly than education.
• Keep things simple when it comes to the format. A recruiter should be able to quickly and easily see your educational background.
• You will need to include the basic information: university name, start and end dates, degree type, major, and minor (if applicable).
• If you have additional space, you can add details beneath your degree listing. You can include your honors, GPA, and any extracurricular activities.
• Don’t overcomplicate the design or you might not get past the ATS. Make things easy for yourself by using our recruiter-tested resume templates.

How to List Degrees on Your Resume

Customers Interviewed by:

You’ve worked hard for years to earn your degree, and now you have it in your hands. So, how do you list your degree on your resume to attract the attention of hiring managers?

Keep reading to learn the following key tips:

• How to format your resume for associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees.
• How to list incomplete degrees on your resume.
• The best way to list in-progress education on your resume.
• How to list multiple degrees on your resume.
• Where to include your education section on your resume.

NOTE : If you’re building your resume from scratch, try Jobscan’s free resume builder . There are no hidden costs and it allows you to build an ATS-compatible resume in no time!

How to list an associate degree on your resume

An associate’s degree is a 2 or 3-year college program. It can be a stepping stone to your bachelor’s degree or a short stand-alone program. Types of associate’s degrees and their abbreviations include:

• Associate of Arts (AA or A.A.)
• Associate of Business (AB or A.B.)
• Associate of Business Administration (ABA or A.B.A.)
• Associate of Applied Science (AAS or A.A.S.)
• Associate of Science (AS or A.S.)

It’s best practice to write out the full degree name to eliminate confusion, but if you don’t have space, hiring managers know what the abbreviations mean.

All your education should include at least the college or university name , the location , and your degree and program .

Examples of how to list an associate’s degree on your resume

If the name of the university or the city you attended are wordy, it’s possible to shorten the degree name to create white space. In the example below, the resume uses an abbreviated form of the associate’s degree that’s commonly understood. This saves space for more specific and relevant information.

Listing your GPA isn’t an obligation. But if you’re a new grad and have an impressive GPA, you can include it.

In the examples below, the entirety of the degree is spelled out. Associate’s degrees can be listed as “Associate of Arts” or “Associate in Arts.”

If you have additional degrees, keep the format consistent.

How to write a bachelor’s degree on your resume

In many professional circles, bachelor’s degrees are the gold standard of post-secondary education, both for stable employment and earning potential. 

A bachelor’s degree is a 4-year (or longer) undergraduate degree. They’re highly flexible and personal, with endless combinations of major and minor subjects. 

Popular bachelor degrees and their abbreviations include:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA or B.A.)
• Bachelor of Science (BS or BSc or B.S./B.Sc.)
• Bachelor of Commerce (BCom or B.Com.)
• Bachelor of Education (BEd or B.Ed.)
• Bachelor of Engineering (BEng or B.Eng.)
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA or B.F.A.)

Examples of how to list a bachelor’s degree on your resume

The example below illustrates how to clearly format your resume education section with all the required information.

If you’re an older applicant with a proven work history, excluding your graduation year can help combat ageism in the hiring process.

To include your major and minor on your resume, see this example below of using a bulleted list to help the information stand out.

In the below example, the resume uses a common abbreviation for bachelor of science in nursing to keep the degree list compact and clear.

While not required, if you want to include your achievements like honors, your degree list is the ideal place. This example uses the abbreviation for bachelor of commerce to leave space to show off accolades.

How to list a master’s degree on your resume

When you go to graduate school after an undergraduate degree, you earn a master’s degree. 

A list of master’s degrees and their abbreviations include:

• Master of Arts (MA or M.A.)
• Master of Science (BS or BSc or B.S./B.Sc.)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA or M.B.A.)
• Master of Engineering (ME or MEng or M.E/M.Eng.)
• Master of Education (MEd or M.Ed.)

Examples of how to list a master’s degree on your resume

Since the master’s degree is the higher and more recent degree, it’s listed first in this example. And since this person earned their undergraduate and graduate degrees at the same school, grouping them together saves precious space and eliminates redundant information.

In the following example, the resume lists the degree with both the complete spelling and abbreviation. This is helpful if you’re referencing your degree in other sections of your resume so you don’t have to spell it out each time.

Not all post-graduate degrees are master’s degrees. Law school graduates earn a Juris Doctor, Doctor of Jurisprudence, or J.D. degree. All these variations mean they become an entry-level lawyer.

A graduate will likely list their degree like in this example below. You can also include societies or organizations to give your resume a competitive edge.

How to include unfinished degrees on your resume

Sometimes, the path to finishing your education gets interrupted. Should you include an unfinished degree on your resume?

If the job you’re applying for is relevant to your existing coursework, including it on your resume can boost your resume . But it’s important to make clear that your degree is incomplete. 

Examples of how to list unfinished degrees on your resume

Even if your degree is incomplete, you can still draw on your completed credits to enhance the strength of your resume.

In the following examples, both resumes highlight the completed credits and the years they attended school, but makes clear to the hiring manager that the degrees are incomplete.

How to include in-progress education on your resume

If you’re getting a head start on your post-grad job applications, listing your degree as in progress is important for transparency. Luckily, it’s simple to list your in-progress degree on your resume.

Example of how to list an in-progress degree on your resume

Below is an example of a resume with a detailed degree section without the degree. But the resume clearly states when they’ll complete the program, so hiring managers know how close they are to graduation.

How to list multiple degrees on your resume

When you have multiple degrees, how can you organize them on your resume? 

Your degrees should be listed in reverse chronological order, meaning the most recent, and often most advanced, degree is first. 

Example of how to list multiple degrees on your resume

Your education section can show the trajectory of your learning. In this example, the hiring manager will see an increasing specialization in healthcare management from an associate’s to a master’s degree.

In the below sample resume, the standard reverse chronological format highlights the most advanced degree. But both degrees are loosely related, so it’s important to highlight the relevant skills related to the job you’re applying for.

Read more about essential resume skills .

How to add a professional certificate to your resume

The prevalence of professional certifications is on the rise. Of all the post-secondary students in the country, around 50% are choosing associate’s degrees and professional certificates . They differ from bachelor’s degrees because they offer direct pathways to a given career. 

As an affordable option for higher education, certifications can help you develop specialized skills to show off on your resume. 

Example of how to list professional certifications on your resume

In the below examples of alternative education, the diploma earned is niche, so there are no universal abbreviations.

Where to place your education section

Once you know how to list your degrees on your resume, the next question is, where does it go? 

When you’re just starting your professional career or are a new grad, you can include your education section near the top of the document.

If you have a prestigious degree or a new relevant certification, placing it near the top of your resume makes it more noticeable. 

When you’re well into your career, your work experience and skills matter more. So keep your education to the bottom of your resume and leave more valuable real estate for relevant information.

How to format your education section for ATS

There’s more than one way to format your education section, depending on your work experience and what details may be most relevant to the job you’re applying for.

However, consider the ATS when you choose your formatting. 

The ATS , or applicant tracking system, is a database that houses your resume once you apply for a job. It organizes all the resumes, making it easier for the hiring manager to review them. They’ll input keywords from the job description, and the ATS will organize the strongest matches. 

A key detail in this process is the ATS’ ability to read your resume. If your resume isn’t formatted correctly or the formatting is inconsistent, the information can be lost in translation. 

To ease your ATS concerns, use Jobscan’s resume scanner to ensure your resume is formatted correctly, dates are consistent, and your resume is readable by the ATS .  

The scanner also provides you with a resume score that tells you how closely your resume matches the wording of the requirements in the job description. The higher the score on your AI resume , the more likely you are to get a job interview!

Make your resume stand out and get noticed

Upload your resume to see what’s missing and get a free match rate.

View full results and optimize your resume

There are essential details to keep in mind when adding your degrees to your education section. 

List in reverse chronological order

You already know to list your work history in reverse chronological order, and you should do the same with your degrees. 

If you got your bachelor’s degree several years ago but just completed your master’s, place your graduate degree first. 

Keep your formatting consistent

Whatever format you choose, consistency is vital for a readable, professional-looking resume .

When your degree is incomplete but in progress, include your expected graduation date on your resume’s education section. If your degree is incomplete because you took a break or dropped out, include the degree if it’s relevant to your application. However, it’s important not to suggest you have a completed degree. Instead, include the amount of credits you hold towards that degree.

When you list your degree, some universal information to add include: • The degree type and program. • The college or university that granted your degree. • Dates you attended, though it’s optional. • Dean’s list, awards, clubs, or GPA, if applicable to the job you’re applying for.

You can list a dual degree as two separate education bullets. If one is more relevant than the other in your application, list the most valuable one first.

Kelsey is a Content Writer with a background in content creation, bouncing between industries to educate readers everywhere.

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How to List a Degree on a Resume

When creating a resume, experience, and skills are often highlighted. However, it’s important to remember that your educational background is also essential. Specific courses of study and levels of education are required for specific jobs.

Correctly listing your educational qualifications , such as a seminar you’ve attended, or a course or certification you’ve completed, shows that you have the training and, therefore, the skills you need.

Arguably the most influential titles you can will be a diploma or degree .  

So if you’re interested in applying for a job fresh out of college should you add your degree to your resume?

It’s definitely a great option. Having a degree or diploma says something about you as a future employee – you had the determination and perseverance to complete multiple years of study.

In fact, according to the BLS, median usual weekly earnings increase based on the level of education completed, which you can see in the graph below:

That’s why it’s essential to know how to list your bachelor or master’s degree on your resume along with any other title.

Follow our tips below and examples of degrees in a resume to understand the best ways to add your qualifications and stand out when looking for some of the most in-demand jobs out there.

How to Write a Degree on a Resume

Many types of degrees exist, but the same basic format is used for each in your resume education section.

You’ll need to include the following details to display your credentials in an organized manner:

• Name of the school
• Location of the school
• Type of degree earned

You can also choose to list the year you graduated . However, depending on when you finished college, it may be better to add it or leave it out.

If you have more than 5 years of experience, you don’t need to list the year you graduated in your resume.

Remember to include the city and state when you mention the location or country if you studied abroad.

Try our  intelligent resume builder  to  ensure that these details stay organized  in your application. Nothing looks worse than a sloppy education section.

How to List Different Degrees on a Resume

You may think that having more than one college degree is automatically a positive and will look good no matter what.

It’s fantastic that you can display your advanced knowledge, but having the right plan in place for listing your degrees on a resume is critical.

To effectively add your well-deserved degrees you should:

• List your degrees in reverse chronological order
• Place your highest level of education at the top of your education section and continue from there
• Separate your double majors with an & symbol to avoid clutter

Remember to  include any noteworthy honors or distinctions  along with your  degrees , especially if they’re relevant to the position you are applying to.

Here’s an example of how to list a bachelor of science degree on a resume:

Master of Business Administration, Focus on Finance, Ivy League University, 2023

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Double Major: Marketing, Management, State University, 2020

• Relevant Coursework: Strategic Marketing, Operations Management, Organizational Behavior
• Achievements: Graduated Cum Laude, President of the Business Club (2019-2020)

How to Write Your Associate’s Degree on a Resume and Impress Employers

While it may take less time to get an associate’s degree is  nothing to look over , especially on a resume.

That means you’ll need to highlight your achievements,  just like on bachelor’s or master’s degrees .

Generally, you will record your associate’s degree in the format of the example below:

Associate of Applied Science in Graphic Design, Springfield Community College, 2021

• Relevant Coursework: Digital Illustration, Typography, Web Design
• Honors: Graduated with Distinction

As a general rule, you should spell out the name of the degree rather than abbreviating it. This prevents confusion on the part of the recruiter.

If you’re running out of space on your one-page resume,  you can opt to abbreviate . These are common associate’s degree abbreviations and their meanings:

• AA means Associate in Arts
• AAB means Associate of Applied Business
• AAS means Associate in Applied Science
• AAT means Associate of Arts in Teaching
• ABA means Associate of Business Administration
• AS means Associate in Science

Depending on your college, your degree may be called “Associate of” or “Associate in.” Double-check to make sure you are using the correct terminology. Also, never write “Associate’s Degree” on your resume.

It should always be listed as the proper degree name, without an apostrophe “s”.

How to List Bachelor’s Degree on a Resume

A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate degree that takes four or more years of study. As like an associate’s degree, you will list your degree with the years you were in school, the university name, the city, and state, the type of degree, and the subject of study. Here’s an example:

Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Magna Cum Laude, University of Michigan, 2021

• Major: Marketing, Minor: Communication Studies
• Relevant Coursework: Consumer Behavior, Digital Marketing, Public Relations, Social Media Marketing

Remember to  spell out the name of your degree  rather than abbreviating it. If you need an abbreviation to save space, you can use BA for Bachelor of Arts or BS for Bachelor of Science. Additional, less common abbreviations include:

• B.A. for Bachelor of Arts
• Bach. Sci., B.Sc., S.B., B.S., BCs for Bachelor of Science
• BJHum for Bachelor of Journalism and Humanities
• BMPD for Bachelor of Media Production and Design
• BMusA for Bachelor of Musical Arts
• BPAPM for Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management
• BScFS for Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science.

Before using any of these uncommon abbreviations, think seriously about whether the meaning will be clear to your hiring manager.

Again, you won’t be using an apostrophe. It’s “Bachelor of” not “Bachelor’s.” As with the high school diploma, you can also cite your GPA if it was above 3.5 and include any distinctions, such as graduating Cum Laude .

How to Include Unfinished Degrees on a Resume

What if you are currently working on your degree, but have not yet graduated?

An in-progress degree on a resume doesn’t look bad at all so go ahead and add it!

List it similarly, with your expected graduation date on your resume as the closing year.

If you list a future date, your hiring manager will understand it is your expected graduation date. Optionally, following the listing, you can place the words “Expected graduation in [year]”.

What if you worked hard in college but  did not finish your degree ?

Don’t worry! Life happens. This experience can  still be placed on your resume . You can still list your relevant classes and focus on the transferable skills you picked up while studying.

Consider this unfinished degree on resume example:

2019-2022 Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN Completed 48 credits toward a Bachelor of Arts in English

How to List a Master’s Degree on a Resume

Once you’ve obtained a bachelor’s degree, you might get a master’s degree. These graduate degrees usually require two additional years of study.

Always  list your master’s degree first  and your bachelor’s degree second.

Like previously discussed degrees, your master’s degree listing will include the standard format, meaning dates, the institution’s name, etc.

If you need to abbreviate, the following are common master’s degree abbreviations:

• A.M., M.A., or MA for Master of Arts
• M.B.A. or MBA for Master of Business Administration
• M.E., ME, MEng, or M.Eng. for Master of Engineering
• M.Ed. or MEd for Master of Education
• M.S., MS, M.Sc., or MSc for Master of Science
• M.S.Met. for Master of Science in Metallurgical Engineering

How to Add a Ph.D. to a Resume

If you have a Ph.D. it will look fantastic on your resume or CV , especially if you are looking for a position in the field of education.

Having a Ph.D. in a field that values it will help your application big time. 

However, if you are applying to a field that is unrelated to your Ph.D. no need to show it off that much.  But let’s say your Ph.D. is relevant to the position . Where should you place it?

Since it’s the highest distinction you can earn in education, you’ll want to place your Ph.D. at the top of your education section , and even s how it off in your summary.

Here’s how it should look when written on a resume:

Ph.D. in Computer Science, Focus on Artificial Intelligence, ABC Institute, 2019

• Dissertation: “Deep Learning Approaches to Natural Language Processing”
• Advisor: Dr. John Doe
• Research Interests: Machine Learning, Neural Networks, Sentiment Analysis
• Publications: 3 peer-reviewed articles published in leading journals
• Teaching Experience: Graduate Teaching Assistant, Introduction to Programming, Prestigious Institute (2019-2021)
• Awards: Best Paper Award, International Conference on Machine Learning (2022)

How to List a High School Diploma

If you’ve only completed high school, don’t worry; your education section can still shine! A large portion of the U.S. job market only has a high school diploma to their name.

However, there are a couple of questions you should ask yourself before including your high school diploma:

• What if you received a General Education Development Diploma or a General Education Development Certificate (GED)?
• Should you list your high school education on your resume if you have later degrees?

Firstly, a GED is the equivalent of a high school diploma , and it should be listed similarly.

Secondly, If you have just one additional degree, you can also list your high school. Remember to place the college degree first and the high school diploma second, following the reverse chronological order.

Listing your high school information is unnecessary if you have multiple graduate and undergraduate degrees.

Variations in Listing Your Degrees

Now that we’ve looked at how to list each type of degree, let’s look at  some acceptable variations .

First, you don’t always have to list all the years you attended a college in [Year-Year] style. It’s also okay to list the year you graduated.

You can also adjust the order of the listing if you want to  emphasize  what  you studied  rather than  when  you graduated.

This is especially helpful if you  completed your education many years ago . You can replace the year, school/place, and degree order with a degree, school, and year order. Here’s an example of what that might look like:

[Type of Degree] in [Subject] [University Name, City, State] [Graduation Year]

You can also do this if you’re still working on your degree. Then, it will look like this:

[Type of Degree] in [Subject] [University Name, City, State] Expected Graduation in [Year]

The important thing is that you maintain the same format throughout your resume.

In Conclusion

Having the right education can mean the difference between getting your desired job and missing out. Therefore, it is essential to master listing your degrees in your resume education section.

Whether you need to list a high school diploma, GED, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or Ph.D., the steps are the same.

Remember to always list your education in reverse chronological order , placing the most recent achievements – and the highest degrees – first. It’s up to you to place the education section before or after the work experience section.

Your choice should depend on how much experience you have, as education is great for new applications, and if education is more pertinent to the position. 

In either case, you can use a resume template and these tips to ensure you create a stand-out application.

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How to List a Degree on a Resume

Write the Full Name of Your Degree

List multiple degrees in reverse chronological order, recent graduates should feature additional information, how to list unfinished college degrees, how to list an associate degree on your resume, how to list a bachelor’s degree on your resume, how to list a master’s degree on your resume.

Your education section is an important aspect of the resume, and it is important to list your academic credentials properly as you begin your job search. The first step is to list the name of your degree and your major followed by your graduation date. Next, write the full name of your university followed by the city and state. Be sure to list your degree before the academic institution because you always want the hiring manager’s eye to be drawn to your career achievements. In this guide, we’ll show you how to properly feature your associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees on your resume.

You can write out the full name of your degree followed by an abbreviation in parentheses. This ensures that your document achieves Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) compliance for either “Bachelor of Arts” or “B.A.” when the software parses your document for keywords. There is some level of nuance amongst the Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), and other academic institutions regarding the use of periods in abbreviations of degrees. Whether you choose to write “Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or “Bachelor of Arts (BA),” the most important thing is to maintain consistency throughout your document.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Computer Science

Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, September 2012 – May 2016

Bachelor of Science (BS), Computer Science

When listing multiple degrees on your resume, feature them in reverse chronological order. As a rule, you’ll always highlight your most recent work experience or degrees ahead of your older career highlights. That being said, if you’ve obtained a master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degree all within the same major, feel free to leave off your associate to save space on your document.

Master of Science (M.S.), Information Technology

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL September 2018 – May 2020

Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Information Technology

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL September 2014 – September 2018

Associate of Science (A.S.), Information Technology

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL September 2014 – September 2016

Because you’ll be listing your degree towards the top of your document, use this opportunity to showcase additional academic achievements to impress the hiring manager. These may include your GPA, academic awards, associations, or even coursework. Because recent graduates likely won’t have relevant work experience to highlight, you’ll need to compensate for this by drawing attention to the strongest aspects of your academic accomplishments.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Philosophy

Harvard University, Cambridge, MA September 2017 – May 2021

GPA: 3.92/4.0

• President of the Continental Philosophy Association, 2020 – 2021
• Member, Harvard Diversity Student Coalition, 2018 – 2021
• Editor, Harvard University Literature Magazine, 2017 – 2019
• Summa cum laude
• Dean’s list, 2017 – 2021

Although you may be tempted to leave your college experience off your resume if you didn’t finish your degree, it is helpful to include. Having some higher level education is certainly better than none, and this may help you avoid being rejected during the hiring process by ATS if the company is scanning for a particular word such as “bachelor.” Be sure to list the dates you attended and the number of credits you achieved so that you don’t give off the wrong impression that you graduated.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), English Literature

University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA September 2016 – May 2018

• Completed 40 Credits in English Literature

As previously suggested, write out the full name of your associate degree followed by the abbreviation in parenthesis. If you have limited years of experience, you’ll likely include your GPA and academic awards in this section. Although your job prospects will be stronger with a bachelor’s or master’s degree, this is certainly enough education to help you begin your career in many industries.

Associate of Science (A.S.), Nursing

University of Syracuse, Syracuse, NY September 2019 – May 2021

GPA: 3.8/4.0

You can utilize the same format when detailing your bachelor’s degree on your resume. Keep your years of experience in mind here, as you won’t need to include details such as your GPA, academic awards, or an associate degree if you already have a substantial amount of hands-on experience within your industry. You can also include your major here, but this is only recommended if it’s relevant to your field or adds some other value to your document.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Software Engineering

University of Seattle, Seattle, WA September 2017 – May 2021

In most instances, you’ll show both your master’s and bachelor’s degrees on your resume. Although it will likely be assumed that you’ve achieved a bachelor’s by the hiring manager, failing to include this degree could cause issues for you during the initial ATS scan of your resume. As previously mentioned, be sure to feature your degrees in reverse chronological order. You can also leave off additional academic achievements unless you lack relevant work experience to feature on your resume.

Master of Science (M.S.), Chemical Engineering

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI September 2019 – May 2021

Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Chemical Engineering

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI September 2015 – May 2019

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How to write your degree on your CV

You’ve quite literally dedicated years of your life to your university degree, so you understandably want to do this justice on your CV.

However, knowing the best ways to present your degree on your CV, how much detail to include and where to position this information isn’t always second nature, particularly if you’re new to the world of work.

So, if you’re looking for the best way to showcase your degree and impress recruiters, this guide is for you. Below, we’re going to share with you some proven and effective ways to write your degree into your CV.

CV templates 

Add your degree after your name

One of the simplest ways to include your degree on your CV and to let the recruiter know right away that you’re qualified is to add your degree after your name.

But of course, you don’t want this to take up a lot of room or to look too ‘clunky’, which is where standardised abbreviations come in.

In the UK , there are several types of degrees you can study, and therefore you need a way to demonstrate and differentiate these. The standardised abbreviations are:

• Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Arts (MA)
• Master of Science (MSc)
• Medical Degree (MD)
• Bachelor of Science Honours (BSc (Hons))
• Bachelor of Science (BSc)
• Bachelor of Arts Honours (BA (Hons))
• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

To add these to your CV, simply put your name at the top as you normally would, followed by a comma and your relevant abbreviation, for example, Joe Smith, PhD.

If you’ve got multiple credentials that you need to add, you should do the same but list these in ascending order, for example, Joe Smith, MSc, PhD.

Where to include your degree on CV

As well as putting your qualification next to your name at the top of your CV, there are a number of other places you can highlight this.

You can mention this in your personal profile , stating your course name and given grade if you’ve already graduated.

But perhaps most importantly, you need to include your degree in your education section . This is an essential part of your CV as it is a formal summary of your qualifications. In this section, you will list your qualifications in reverse chronological order, so your degree will come first. You should include the name of your course/degree, followed by the university you study or studied at, and the dates you attend(ed).

The other details will depend on whether you’ve already graduated or you’re still studying.

Student/School leavers

If you’re still a student and you haven’t got a grade behind you yet, there are several ways you can support this section. Instead of including a final grade, you can include the degree you are studying for, to show you are working towards it

You could also include details of any exams you have taken and how you scored on these and possibly even your predicted grade if you know it.

Experienced candidates

If you’re a more experienced candidate, you might prefer to save space on your CV to discuss your career history, but your degree could still be very attractive to employers, so don’t forget to include it.

You could add your degree initials next to your name and mention it briefly in your education and CV profile

Where to put your education on your CV

Something else that you have to consider when writing your CV is how you’re going to structure it. There are a number of different ways you can do this depending on the role you’re applying for; for example, is it an academic role, a graduate role, etc.?

However, there is a standard structure (also known as a chronological CV) that most job hunters tend to use, and this goes as follows:

• Header – containing your name (and possibly credentials) and contact information
• Personal profile
• Core skills
• Work experience/employment history
• Hobbies and interests – optional

Here, you can see your education section is placed towards the bottom of your CV.

However, if you’re a student or fresh graduate with no experience you might wish to prioritise your degree by putting your education section above your employment history.

This might also be the case if you’re applying for a graduate role or if the employer has placed importance on education over experience in the job description.

How to write first-class honours degree on cv

If you’ve achieved a first-class honours degree, you should be very proud of yourself, and you need to make sure you shout about this throughout your CV.

When adding this to your personal profile, you might wish to abbreviate your credentials to ‘1st’ or simply leave it as ‘first class’ – ultimately, it’s up to you which you prefer.

So, for example, you might write

‘I am a talented marketing professional with a first-class honours degree in Digital Marketing’.

Alternatively, you could choose to write:

‘I am a skilled tradesman who achieved a 1st class honours degree in Welding Engineering’

When it comes to including your degree in your educations section, the same rules apply. However, if you’re looking to save space at all costs, you might prefer to use the abbreviation of 1st – after all, every little helps.

How to include an unfinished degree on your CV

How to write 2:1 degree on CV

If you achieved a 2:1, this is also great news, and there are multiple ways you might wish to show this on your CV. Although 2:1 is the most common way of writing your degree, 2.1 is also an acceptable version in the UK.

“Junior designer with 2:1 degree in Graphic Design from the University of Brighton”

These two (1st and 2:1) are both classed as upper-division honours degrees. If your grade was lower than this, you might wish to simply characterise this by your degree type and name rather than including the lower grade.

For example, you can open your profile by saying, ‘I am a Graphic Designer with a degree in Design Studies, ’ avoiding giving an actual grade.

In conclusion, whether you’re still studying, you’re a recent graduate, or you’ve been a part of the workforce for several years now, highlighting your degree on your CV is so important. Using our tips and advice above, you can carefully write your degree into your CV to show your passion for your industry and that you’re qualified for the role.

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Properly Write Your Degree

The correct way to communicate your degree to employers and others is by using the following formats:

Degree - This is the academic degree you are receiving. Your major is in addition to the degree; it can be added to the phrase or written separately.  Include the full name of your degree, major(s), minor(s), emphases, and certificates on your resume.

Double Majors - You will not be receiving two bachelor's degrees if you double major. Your primary major determines the degree (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science). If you're not fully sure which of your majors is primary, check CheckMarq or call the registrar's office.

Example: Primary Major: Psychology ; Secondary Major: Marketing

• Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology & Marketing

Primary Major: Marketing ; Secondary Major: Psychology

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing & Psychology

In a letter, you may shorten your degree by writing it this way:

• In May 20XX, I will graduate with my Bachelor's degree in International Affairs.
• In December 20XX, I will graduate with my Master's degree in Counseling Education.

Not sure which degree you are graduating with? Here is a list of Undergraduate Majors and corresponding degrees:

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How to put a bachelor's degree on a resume.

A resume has about 10 seconds in front of a recruiter before they decide whether you're a good candidate for an interview. Providing all pertinent information, such as a college education, gives you an advantage over an applicant without this. Adding a Bachelor's degree on your resume shows the recruiter that you not only finished college, but also completed coursework in the field you're applying for.

Open your resume document in a word processing file. If you don’t have a current resume, begin one with your name, address and phone number. After writing your objective, skills and work history, add your educational experience.

Scroll down to the end of your resume and type "Education," usually in all caps and bold font. List your college history under this header.

Type the college's name, date of attendance and your degree type on the first line. Add your GPA if it was 3.0 or above. List all colleges attended, with most current college first.

Include any classes or activities that relate to the jobs you desire. Use the same list formatting that you used for your work experience.

New college graduates should place the education section at the top of the resume, under the objective, if they don't have a lot of work experience.

Do not put inaccurate classes or achievements on your resume. An employer may verify this information and fire you if any information is untrue.

Related Articles

How to list education on resume →.

How to Write a Competency Based Resume →

How to Fill Out the Education Part of a Job Application →

How to Make a Resume for a 16-Year-Old →

What Is a Functional Summary on a Resume? →

Resume Format for Many Jobs →

Rebecca Gilbert began writing and transcribing in 2003. In 2007, she started a resume-writing company. She earned an associate degree in sociology from Pima College and a bachelor's degree in communications at University of Wisconsin. Gilbert also does tech support for a major technology company and volunteers locally teaching job-seeking skills.

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How should I list a Bachelor's of Computer Science on a Resume?

On my resume, I list the following

Should I list the full title instead (Computer Science) or should I shorten it B.S.C.S.

Any help is appreciated

• 3 Write Computer Science out. B.S. is ok but can also be written out –  jmorc Commented Jun 26, 2015 at 23:14

2 Answers 2

As a rule, the title should always come first. As en employer, what would you like to know first? What the prospective employee studied? Or where?

It also shows what you are considering more important. What you learnt? Or which university you attended.

Also. Try not to abbreviate anything.

• 3 I would have so much trouble not writing "BTW don't abbreviate" ;) –  Jane S Commented Jun 27, 2015 at 3:01
• 1 It depends on where you went. If you went to MIT, I would write the university name first. If you went to some school under a bridge somewhere, write your degree. –  user37427 Commented Jun 27, 2015 at 9:44

As a recruiter it really doesn't matter. BS in relation to a degree is a pretty well understood abbreviation. Saying you shouldn't abbreviate it is like saying you shouldn't abbreviate "USA" or "Dr." Computer Science usually looks better spelled out though it's also common enough to be recognized by anyone who matters.

If the university is well known there's really no need to list city and state (especially if the city or state are actually in the name of the school!)

I would leave year of graduation off. It only invites age discrimination and adds nothing of real value. If a company really cares they find out when you graduated as part of your background check.

Also if you have more than 5 years of experience put your education at the bottom of your resume. If you've been in the business for 5+ years you'd better have done something more impressive to catch my attention than simply graduate from school. Less than that putting it at the top is still acceptable.

Finally, never include GPA. It's a completely useless number.

• 1 Fun fact: I once had a recruiter badger me over & over asking for my GPA. I kept telling him I don't know, and he kept telling me the company he was applying to needed that information. So I told him it's probably not a company worth my time! –  user37427 Commented Jun 27, 2015 at 9:45

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How to List Academic Honors on Your Resume With Examples

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What are Latin honors?

When to include latin honors on your resume, how to include latin honors on your resume, examples of how to list academic honors on a resume, tips for including academic honors on a resume.

Graduating with honors is an impressive accomplishment, and it’s certainly one you should highlight on your resume as a recent graduate. However, many graduates are unsure if, when and how they should list Latin honors and other academic achievements on their resume. In this article, you’ll find resume tips and examples for graduates who have earned the distinction of cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude.

 Here are the three levels of distinction for academic degrees used by high schools, colleges and universities:

• Summa cum laude, meaning ‘with the highest distinction’
• Magna cum laude, meaning ‘with great distinction’
• Cum laude, meaning ‘with distinction’

If you graduated with honors, your resume should highlight this academic achievement. These details won’t take up much space, and they will help demonstrate your commitment to excellence.

The fact that you graduated with honors matters more when you are first entering the job market as a student or recent graduate. At this stage, you may not have much professional experience to list on your resume, so mentioning that you graduated with honors will help show employers that you are highly motivated, intelligent and hardworking. Once you have gained more experience, your academic performance becomes less important. Some employers will care about your GPA and honors, while others will not. Either way, it’s a good idea to include them on your resume. At best, they will weigh in your favor, and at worst, they’ll simply be ignored. 

Follow these steps when listing Latin honors on your resume:

1. Firstly, place them in the education section

If you graduated with honors, you should include that detail in the education section of your resume. Do this even if your resume has a section for honors and awards. Your Latin honors should be listed under the relevant degree so that it is obvious when and where you earned them. This is especially important if you have multiple degrees listed in your education section. You don’t want to mislead employers in any way. For instance, if you have completed both an undergraduate and graduate degree, it should be clear which degree the Latin honors are associated with.

2. Secondly, decide how to format your education section

One formatting style would be to keep the section simple by listing each institution and the dates you attended, followed by basic information about your degree. This should include the type of degree you earned, your major, your GPA and your honors. In this format, your honors should be listed directly after your major, separated by a comma. You can include your GPA in parentheses after the Latin honors.

Another formatting style is to expand your education section by listing your academic activities and honors after each degree. You may prefer this format if you participated in several extracurricular activities and received multiple honors. In this format, under each institution you attended, you should list your degree, honors, major and graduation date. Below that information, you should include two subsections—one for activities and one for honors. Your Latin honors should be included in the honors section.

3. Lastly, italicize the names of Latin honors

Since cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude are Latin phrases, you should use italics when listing these honors. These phrases should also be lowercase. You may find some examples and style guides that do not require you to italicize Latin honors, but using italics is the safer option. Plus, italics will help these words stand out.

If your school uses English instead of Latin phrases, the rules are different. English honors should not be italicized, and they should be capitalized. English honors are typically listed as with Honors, with High Honors or with Highest Honors. The word ‘Distinction’ may be used instead of ‘Honors.’ Always use the exact wording adopted by your university.

Here are a few examples of how to list academic honors on a resume:

Examples with an expanded education section

The format of these two examples allows you to list your academic activities and honors beneath your degree. The UNC example includes the student’s honors directly before the major and uses the school’s English phrases. The WVU example lists the student’s Latin honors and GPA in the honors subsection.

The University of North Carolina | Chapel Hill, NC

B.S. with Highest Distinction in Accounting, May 2015

• Minor in business administration
• Phi Beta Kappa

Activities:

• Policy Debate Team
• University Democrats

West Virginia University | Morgantown, WV

Bachelor of Arts in English, August 2016

• Magna cum laude  (3.7 GPA)
• Professional writing and editing concentration
• Sigma Tau Delta
• The Daily Athenaeum,   editor
• Eberly Writing Studio, tutor

Examples with a simplified education section

If you would rather include honors and activities in a separate section, you can trim down your education section. 

• The University of Texas at Austin | May 2013

B.S. in Public Policy, graduated with High Honors (3.8 GPA)

• West Virginia University | December 2016

B.S. in Animal and Nutritional Science, summa cum laude

• The University of North Carolina | August 2015

B.A. with Distinction in Anthropology

Here are a few more tips for people who graduated with honors:

Including your GPA is not necessary, but it can be helpful

Graduating with honors implies a high GPA. However, not all schools use the same standards. Some employers prefer to see your exact GPA. Including your GPA can be especially helpful if you achieved a 4.0 or if your GPA was higher than the minimum to graduate with honors.

You do not need to mention Dean’s List

Making the Dean’s List is a vaguer achievement than graduating with honors. If your resume already says that you graduated magna cum laude, listing the Dean’s List as an honor could be redundant. Use that space to include something that adds more value to your resume.

Be consistent in your formatting

Whatever format you decide to use, make sure each entry follows the same template. A break in formatting will be distracting and make your resume look less professional. Along the same lines, choose a format that will fit well with the rest of your resume. The formatting of each section will not be identical, but it should be similar.

Give your resume an extra proofread

Once you mention that you graduated with honors, an employer’s expectations will rise. Everyone should proofread their resume, but those who graduated with honors should be extra careful. Careless mistakes in grammar, spelling and formatting can undercut your academic achievements.

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• Resume and Cover Letter
• The Best Resume Format to Get...

The Best Resume Format to Get Hired

21 min read · Updated on May 29, 2024

Is your resume format the right one for your career needs?

When you're trying to create the perfect resume for your job search needs, few things are more important than the resume format that you choose to deliver your message. After all, the goal of any resume is to ensure that employers can easily see that you're the right person for their job. Choosing the best resume format is essential for achieving that goal.

In this post, we'll examine the three main resume formats, consider their pros and cons, and explain how you can decide which format is the best option for you. We'll also offer some tips that can help you to learn how to create these different resume formats. 

What are the three best resume formats?

There are three main resume format options that job seekers use. They include:

1.      Reverse-chronological

2.      Functional

3.      Combination

Each formatting option offers a different way to organize and present your resume information, depending on your overall work history and the type of job you're seeking. We'll examine each one and provide the information you need to ensure that you use the right format for your resume needs.

Reverse-chronological resume format

Also known simply as the chronological resume, this format is a favorite for job seekers and hiring managers alike - and for good reason. It's a format that allows you to present your professional experience in a straightforward, chronological way by listing ten to fifteen years of work history in reverse order. You simply begin by including details about your most recent or current job and then work backward.

The chronological resume usually follows a simple and straightforward resume structure. That structure includes several sections which each contain specific types of information. For example:

Contact information

Resume headline

Summary paragraph

Skills matrix or core competencies

Work experience

Optional sections, such as relevant volunteer experience, certificates, and so on

Dividing this information into distinct sections will make it easier for hiring managers to quickly scan your resume and locate the details they're interested in seeing. If an employer can quickly identify those key qualifications they want to see, then there's a better chance that they'll take time to read your resume to learn more about you.

Another great thing about the chronological resume format is its flexibility. If you're seeking a job with very specific skill requirements, you can place the skill section right after the resume summary so that it receives more attention. You can even choose to emphasize the education section if you're a recent graduate and are highlighting those qualifications .

Who should use a chronological resume?

The reverse-chronological resume is widely regarded as the best resume format for job seekers who have years of consistent experience in the workforce. Typically, job seekers who use this format will have been working in the same industry for several years, with no serious gaps in that employment history. Because this format provides a clear picture of your career trajectory, it's also an ideal option when you're seeking a promotion in your field.

Chronological resume pros and cons

There are both advantages and disadvantages to choosing the reverse-chronological resume format. We've listed some of the most relevant pros and cons below.

Chronological format pros :

Employers are familiar with the chronological resume format and often prefer it to the alternatives

This format provides an easy-to-follow overview of your entire career trajectory

When used properly, the work experience section can highlight critical skills that the employer wants to see

Chronological format cons :

If there are notable gaps in your employment history, listing jobs in chronological order can make them easier for employers to spot

Because this format emphasizes your employment, it may not be the best option for anyone who lacks a steady job history. It can also be a tricky option for job seekers who are trying to move from one career to another

This format's familiarity can work against you if you're not focused on ensuring that your resume properly differentiates you from other job seekers.

Tips for writing a chronological resume

It's important to know how to write a chronological resume, since it's the format option you'll probably be using throughout most of your career. We've compiled some simple tips that can help you learn how to craft this type of resume.

List your employment history in reverse order, starting with your current position. Use that same chronological approach in your education section, too.

For each job listed, include the company name, job title, and dates of employment. Then add three or four bullet point examples of quantifiable achievements. These accomplishments should demonstrate how you used your skills to create real value for the company.

Highlight relevant skills. Include both hard and soft skills, paying special attention to the requirements listed in the company's job posting. Make sure that you use the exact terms from the posting in your resume, as these keywords will improve your resume's searchability. 

For your resume headline , include the job title you're seeking and some descriptive language that sets you apart from other candidates. For example, instead of writing “ Marketing Manager,” you could write “Dynamic Marketing Manager Committed to Driving Growth and Profits.”

Make sure that your summary paragraph is no more than 3-5 sentences and that it includes a couple of achievements and skills that highlight your value. Remember, this paragraph is supposed to help you capture a hiring manager's attention, so treat it like an elevator sales pitch. Keep it concise and focused on earning the reader's interest.

Functional resume format

The functional resume is also sometimes referred to as a skill-focused resume. Because it emphasizes skills over work history, it can be a great way to mask inexperience in your field. It's also sometimes used by job seekers who have significant gaps in their work history to hide those periods of unemployment. That latter feature is one of the main reasons why many employers view this format with suspicion. Employers are also less familiar with this format.

Still, it can be used to great effect if you take the time to present information in an easy-to-follow structure. Like the chronological resume, this resume format divides information into distinct sections. For example:

Contact details

Resume summary paragraph

Professional experience

Optional sections

The skills section is typically different from the section found in a chronological resume, however. Since the whole purpose of the functional resume is to emphasize your abilities, several skill sub-sections are often used to drive those qualifications home. Those sections may include:

Soft skills: This section can be used to highlight your most important competencies. List those skills and include language that illustrates how you used your abilities to create value for employers. Basically, you highlight these skills in the same way that you'd highlight quantifiable achievements.

Hard skills: These are typically the skills that are required by the employer in order to qualify for the role. They might be technical or knowledge-based in nature and relate directly to your ability to perform the job's required duties.

Who should use a functional resume?

Unlike the chronological resume format, the functional format is less suited for those with a good deal of consistent work experience. Instead, it's a better option for people who have very little experience. As a result, it's often used by recent graduates and others who are just entering the workforce. It can also be a good option for some workers in the creative industries or those whose work history spans multiple sectors.

Functional resume pros and cons

Of course, there are some advantages and disadvantages to choosing this resume format. To help you better understand the relative benefits and drawbacks of the functional resume option, we've listed some of the most important pros and cons below.

Functional resume pros

By emphasizing skills, this resume format can enable you to shift focus from a lack of professional experience

It can provide an effective way for inexperienced or non-traditional workers to highlight their potential value by focusing on transferable skills

They can be a good option for veterans transitioning to civilian employment, or those who do not want to appear over-qualified for a position

Functional resume cons

Employers may view this format with suspicion and wonder what you're hiding

Because it's typically used by people with little experience, it won't help you to land a position if the employer is seeking someone with a longer career trajectory

It can be confusing for employers who struggle to see which skills relate to which roles and therefore how much experience you have in using a particular skill 

Tips for writing a functional resume

Writing an effective functional resume can be challenging if you're not sure how to get the most out of this format. That's why we've compiled some of the best tips available to assist you in that process.

Make sure that your summary statement focuses intently on the core requirements for the job. Use no more than five sentences to describe your key skills, how you've used them, and the results you've obtained for your previous employers.

It's easy to get so focused on your core hard skills that you forget to emphasize vital soft skills. Remember that those intangible abilities may be just the thing that separates you from the competition.

For your work experience section, keep things relatively concise. Include the company name and dates of employment and your job title.

If you're a first-time job seeker, you may not have work experience to include in the resume. Instead, you can provide information about volunteer work, internships, or other relevant activities that can illustrate how you've used your skills to create value and solve problems.

Pay careful attention to any listed requirements in the job posting, since you'll want to use these key terms throughout your resume. This will help to ensure that employers can readily identify those qualifications when they scan through your resume.

Since your work history section will be brief, you may want to bolster your education section by including more than just your academic achievements. Add listings for any other formal training, online certifications, and continuing education that highlights your qualifications.

Combination resume format (hybrid)

The third option is known as the combination, or hybrid, resume. As the name suggests, it's literally a combination of the chronological and functional resumes, attempting to combine the best elements of each. Basically, it allows you to focus on your skills and work history in roughly equal measure. When executed correctly, this resume strategy can help to remove focus from any employment gaps, while effectively aligning your most notable skills with your work achievements.

To create this type of resume, you need to use a simple structure that employers can easily follow. Again, the information should be separated into compartmentalized sections. For example:

Skills summary

Educational section

Additional skills

There are a few things to note here. First, you can choose to omit a summary paragraph, depending on your resume space needs. We recommend using a summary wherever possible, however, since it can be a powerful way to capture the reader's attention and encourage them to continue scanning the document.

Second, the arrangement of your skills and work history sections will depend on which qualifications you need to emphasize. If the job requirements focus on skills, highlight yours by placing the skills section first. If work experience appears to be more important, place that section before your skills.

Third, take note of the fact that your skills are divided into two sections: a summary of key skills and a separate section that outlines other relevant abilities. Each of these sections is a little different in layout and purpose. The skills summary should provide several bullet point examples of achievements that highlight your use of key hard and soft skills . The second skill section should be a bullet point list of other key skills needed for the job.

Who should use a combination resume?

The combination resume can offer the best of both worlds for job seekers whose career trajectory may not align well with the traditional chronological format. For example, if you've had a career that has seen you move from one industry to another, your work experience may not perfectly align with the job you're currently seeking. By balancing focus on skills and experience, you can get around that obstacle.

As a result, the hybrid resume format can be a good option for people who are applying for managerial roles with no formal experience as a manager. It can also be useful for job seekers who are trying to transition from one industry to another. Its unique structure makes it easier to focus attention on your transferable skills, while illustrating how they apply to the job you're seeking.

Combination resume pros and cons

As with the other two resume formats, the combination option comes with its own pros and cons. Before you choose this format for your resume, consider the following potential benefits and drawbacks:

Combination resume pros:

This format highlights your most important skills and provides an easy way to tie them to your achievements

Like the chronological resume, the combination format allows you to focus on demonstrating the value you can provide as an employee

It's a great option for candidates with steady job experience, the desire to change their career trajectory, or significant gaps in employment history

Combination resume cons:

It's not really a good option for entry-level job seekers who lack experience

This format can only be effective if you can successfully align your experiences and achievements with your skills - if your skills and job history don't mesh, the resume will reflect that disharmony

This format can be excessively long, as it include both skills and career history in great detail

Tips for writing a combination resume

The combination resume format can be difficult to master, since you need to ensure that everything is organized in the most efficient manner possible. That's especially true if you have experience in different fields and need to somehow bring them together to create a coherent narrative. To help you with that process, we've gathered some important tips you can use as you try to create your combination resume.

Don't forget to divide your skills into two separate sections.

Focus on your most important and relevant skills in your summary section and include several bullet point examples of achievements to showcase how you've used those abilities in the past

As mentioned earlier, the second section will include a bullet point list of your other relevant skills. Those skills should include abilities that round out your qualifications. Refer to the job posting to find the terms that the company uses to describe those abilities.

Your work history should include quantifiable achievements that align with your cited skills. If possible, focus on highlighting achievements that feature the same type of skills you'll need for the job you're seeking.

Always write your summary paragraph last. That way, you can refer to the rest of your resume as you select two or three key skills and experiences to showcase. If you're trying to switch careers, use part of this paragraph to illustrate how your transferable skills contribute to your overall qualifications for the job.

So, which resume format is the best?

At this point, you might be wondering which of these options is the best resume format. If we judge according to popularity, the answer is probably the reverse-chronological resume format. That's because it's not only the most popular format for most job seekers, but is also preferred by employers. Its simple structure , easy-to-follow experience section, and clearly defined sections are hard to beat.

With that said, however, there are obviously instances in which one of the other two options are better suited to a job candidate's needs. As noted earlier, someone with very little job experience may be better served by a functional or combination resume. In general, though, we typically recommend that people who cannot use a reverse chronological resume instead rely on the combination option.

But how can you decide which one is the right choice for you? After all, if you choose the wrong format, you could put yourself at a disadvantage when competing for jobs. By answering the following questions, you can get a better handle on the best options for your resume format needs.

1.     Are you a recent graduate just entering the job market?

If you're just entering the workforce, the functional resume can be an option. If you focus on ensuring that your listed qualifications match the job's requirements, that format should serve you well. Still, given employers' skepticism of the functional format, you might want to at least consider the combination option.

Since the combination format enables you to emphasize both skills and experience, you may find that its approach offers more flexibility for showcasing your abilities. You may even want to create different versions of your resume - one using the functional format and the other adopting the hybrid approach - just to compare them and see which one will work best for your unique circumstances.

2.     Do you have employment gaps or are you trying to pursue a career change?

Sometimes, employment gaps can't be helped. And while most employers are open to discussions about why you went without a job for a significant period, it's often best to avoid dealing with that issue if you don't have to. Fortunately, the combination resume format provides a way to paper over any significant gaps in your work history.

That same format is also a great option when you're in the process of changing careers, since it allows you to redirect attention to how your skills and experiences qualify you for that new job role. Just make sure to include relevant transferable skills that align with the job's needs. Note also that you can use the reverse chronological option here if your prior employment experiences are relevant to the position.

3.     Is your work experience consistent and in one industry or field?

When you have several years of consistent experience in one industry, there's only one real choice to consider: the reverse-chronological resume format. For most job seekers, this format will provide everything they need to craft a resume that effectively highlights their key qualifications and value-added proposition.

How to format your resume layout

Even after you've selected the right format for your resume needs and plugged your information into the various sections you've outlined, you're still not done. Remember, you want to ensure that the resume you submit is as professional as possible so that employers can read it without any confusion or difficulty. Most employers only spend a few seconds glancing at each resume, so your document needs to pass that initial scan if you want them to take a closer look.

That's why it is vital to properly format that resume. Of course, we're talking about a different kind of formatting here - something that's quite apart from the resume format choice you had to make when you decided which resume option to use. This formatting involves all the little things you need to do to make sure that your resume is clear, readable, and easy to scan. The following tips can help with that process.

Choose a professional font

Don't be one of those job seekers who assumes that hiring managers will be drawn to resumes with interesting layouts, fonts , and graphics. Trust us - most will dismiss those resumes out of hand. The average hiring manager wants to see a clear, traditional layout that's easy to scan. If you're using non-traditional fonts or other creative approaches, they probably won't take you seriously.

So, which font to use? The good news is that there are some clear favorites that you can rely on when choosing your font. They include:

Each of these fonts is generally considered to be easy to read in both print and online presentations, so they're likely to appeal to the broadest possible audience. If you're struggling to select one, just pick either Arial or Calibri. You really can't go wrong with either one.

Select the right margins

For a well-balanced and brief resume, a one-inch margin on all sides of the document should enable you to make the most effective use of your resume space. However, feel free to reduce that margin to 0.75 inches if you find that you need more space, to avoid an excessively long resume. 

As you're creating your margins, make sure that your text alignment is considered as well. Your contact information and job headline can be centered on the page, but all your other information should be aligned to the left. That makes it easier for hiring managers to follow, since most people in the United States are accustomed to reading from left to right.

Pick your font size

You also want to ensure that your font size is correct. It needs to be big enough for most people to see it, but not so large that it seems unprofessional. We recommend a font size somewhere between 10 and 12 points. That range should provide you enough flexibility to adjust as your resume space needs require. For example, if you find that a 10-point font leaves too much empty space on the page, adjust to 11 or 12. If a 12-point font causes your page to run long, lower the font size accordingly.

Use bullet points

Remember that your resume is not an essay. It's a collection of relevant details designed to highlight skills, experiences, and achievements. The best way to do that is through the judicious use of bullet points. Lists of bullet point information can be used to showcase your skills and notable achievements.

Edit to make your document more concise

Sometimes, you may find that your resume runs longer than you expected. If it's just over one page and reducing the font doesn't shorten it enough, you may want to edit and refine the language to make it more concise. This could mean omitting irrelevant ideas, using shorter sentences, or eliminating unnecessary words.

Clearly identify your section headings

Your skill, experience, and education sections all need clear heading labels. To make these headings stand out from the rest of the resume, you could:

Increase their font size by two points (so, if the resume text uses a 10-point font, increase the heading font to 12-point)

Bold the entire heading so that it stands out from the other text

Underline section headings

It is also a good idea to use this same approach to your name at the top of the page, to ensure that employers can easily find it.

Get a second or third opinion

Once you've written and formatted your resume, there's one last thing you should do to ensure that it's easy for other people to read. That's right: ask other people to read it! Have a friend or someone else you trust review the entire document so that they can give you their opinion about its effectiveness. Make sure to tell them what you'd like to know, though. For example, ask them to critique the spelling, grammar, and formatting choices, as well as its overall appearance.

Choosing the best resume format can increase your odds of job search success

The resume format you choose can set the tone for your job search success. By selecting the right format for your situation and needs, you can ensure that your information is organized and structured in a way that reinforces your broader career narrative. By using the tips and recommendations in this post, you can create the compelling resume you need to land more interviews.

Want to ensure that your resume format aligns with your career needs? Get a free resume review from our team of experts today.

Recommended reading:

9 Soft Skills Employers Want in 2023

10 Best Places to Learn New Skills in 2022

Make the Perfect Resume For a Career Change

Related Articles:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

How to Create a Resume With No Education

Why You Lose When You Lie on Your Resume: Learning From Mina Chang

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