Adding a professional certification to your resume is a great way to demonstrate your competence and skills. It is important to include certifications in four key places on your resume: the personal information section, the resume summary, the education section, and a dedicated certification section. The certification section should be prominently featured and should include all relevant certifications, both mandatory and recommended. The summary section of the resume is also a great place to include certifications.
This is especially true if you are applying for a job or sector in which you have no previous experience. A relevant certification can help emphasize your readiness for the position. For example, if you are applying for a job as a food supplier, adding food safety certifications would improve your resume. Additionally, first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation certifications may be beneficial if you are often surrounded by clients.
Including certifications in your resume can help you stand out from other applicants and increase your chances of getting an interview. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people with certifications or licenses have lower unemployment rates than those without them. Coursera offers flexible, online professional certificates that can help prepare you for high-demand careers such as project manager or data analyst. Easy Resume's customizable resume templates are designed to include both mandatory and recommended certifications in your resume. To get a better idea of how to add certifications to your resume, check out sample resumes by function, sector, and level of seniority.
With the right certifications on your resume, you can make sure that potential employers know that you have the skills and qualifications they are looking for.