Career Calling

February 18, 2015

Where Should I Put Education on My Resume?

Some people say always at the end.

Some say always at the beginning.

I say: “Be suspicious of people who say ‘always.'”  They usually follow rules without having any reason for doing so.

I put education where it does the most to help a client look like a highly qualified candidate.  In most cases where a client has relevant experience, education goes last.  However, if a candidate has recently received a new degree or certificate that enhances her marketability, why not put that information first?  Similarly, most new graduates should have education as the first element on their resume because that is their primary selling point.  But this is not always the case.  Some new graduates have worked while in school and have relevant experience.  In those cases, education should be placed after experience.

My simple rule is:  What does the employer want to see?  Put those elements first.