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How to create a proper Education section
If you don't have a college degree, don't let that discourage you from applying for jobs that require one. If you have the right life experience and you present it effectively in your resume, you might very well win a chance at the job.
Bonus Check
If you have just one or two version for a section, you might combine two similar sections with a double heading, as in the following examples:
- Education and Training
- Training and Credentials
- Awards and Presentations
Interpreting Degree Equivalents
If you achieved a degree equivalency through a less traditional or non-American system, state your experience in terms of its equivalency, for example, "B.A. equivalent, St. Paul University, Rome, Italy."
Don't Have a Degree?
If you went to college, but you do not intend to get your degree in the immediate future, write your area of study and the name of the college, for instance: Liberal Arts, Oberlin College. If you attended several schools without completing your degree requirements, list only one or two schools. Listing more than that might make the reader think you tend to move around a lot without finishing things. Leonora Braun'sresume shows how you can present a partial college education.
Yahoo! Just Got My High School Diploma
If you are a new high school graduate, write the name of your highschool and year of graduation. If you have enrolled in a college, say so,for example, "Enrolled in St. Mary's College, Moraga, CA."
Job-Hunt Hint
If a job posting requires a particular degree that you don't have,don't let that stop you fromapplying. On your resume, emphasize your relevant life experience, education, and training. If you present your case well, the employer may see your qualifications as a degree equivalent.
Career Casualty
Don't look overqualified for the job. For some positions, your master 's or doctoral degree might scare the pants off an employer because you look too expensive or intimidating. When in doubt, leave the degree off.
The Not-So-New with School Diploma
If you received demo high school version more than two years ago and have no additional schooling, you do not need to have an Education section on your resume unless the job you are applying for specifically asks for a high school diploma. If it does, put "Graduate" or "Diploma," followed by the name of your high school. State your graduation date only if it doesn't blow your cover with regard to your age.If you have a high school diploma but no formal higher education, one option is to create a section titled Professional Development. In this section, you can list any training, workshops, seminars, or classes you have attended. Another option is to simply omit the Education sectionon your resume.
Career Casualty
If you're tempted to lie about a degree or certification, resist! Getting caught in a lie could put your job in the can.
Bonus Check
Presenting your material so that it looks appropriate for the company and position you'reapplying for is one way of telling the reader that you understand the industry and will fitin. For instance, Frank Jordan's resume is a very simple one-pager that makes him looklike a straightforward, easy-to-approach guy. That's appropriate for his job objective (busdriver).
Bonus Check
If you don't have any formal higher education, consider having a section called Training orProfessional Development, where you list relevant workshops, seminars, and classes.