In a competitive job market, certifications can be the difference between landing an interview and getting passed over. According to a 2024 LinkedIn study, candidates with relevant certifications are 60% more likely to get hired than those without. But only if you showcase them correctly. This guide covers where to list certifications, how to format them, and which ones employers actually care about in every major industry.
Where to Put Certifications on Your Resume
You have several options for displaying certifications, depending on their importance and your resume structure:
1. Dedicated "Certifications" Section
Best for: Multiple relevant certifications, technical roles, healthcare, finance, or any field where certifications are expected.
Placement: After Education or Skills section, or before Work Experience if certifications are highly relevant.
2. Combined with Education Section
Best for: 1-2 certifications, when they're similar in weight to your degree, or to save space.
Format: List certifications after your degree in the education section.
3. After Your Name (Title Certifications)
Best for: Prestigious credentials that define your professional identity: CPA, PMP, RN, PE, PhD, MBA.
Example: "John Smith, PMP, CSM" or "Jane Doe, CPA, MBA"
4. In Your Summary Statement
Best for: Highlighting your most impressive certification when it's directly relevant to the job.
Example: "AWS Solutions Architect with 5 years designing cloud infrastructure..."
How to Format Certifications
Include these elements for each certification:
- Full Name: The complete certification name (not just acronym)
- Acronym: The common abbreviation in parentheses
- Issuing Organization: Who granted the certification
- Date Earned: Month and year (or "Current" if ongoing)
- Expiration Date: If applicable (renew before it expires!)
- Credential ID: Optional, but useful for verification
Format Examples
Certifications Section
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Project Management Institute | Earned June 2022 | Expires June 2025
AWS Solutions Architect – Associate
Amazon Web Services | Earned March 2023
Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
Scrum Alliance | Earned January 2022
Combined with Education
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
University of Texas, Austin, TX | May 2020
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Texas State Board of Public Accountancy | License #12345 | 2021
Showcase Your Certifications Professionally
Our resume builder has a dedicated certifications section with proper formatting. Choose from 18+ templates.
Create Your Resume FreeTop Certifications by Industry
Technology & IT
Cloud Computing
AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Administrator, Google Cloud Professional
Cybersecurity
CISSP, CompTIA Security+, CEH, CISM
Development
Meta Front-End Developer, Google UX Design, Kubernetes (CKA)
Data & Analytics
Google Data Analytics, Tableau Desktop, Microsoft Power BI
Business & Management
Project Management
PMP, CAPM, Prince2, Certified Scrum Master (CSM), SAFe
Six Sigma
Six Sigma Green Belt, Six Sigma Black Belt, Lean Six Sigma
Finance & Accounting
Accounting
CPA, CMA, CIA, EA (Enrolled Agent)
Finance
CFA, CFP, FRM, CAIA, Series 7 & 63
Healthcare
Nursing
RN License, BLS, ACLS, PALS, CCRN, CEN
Medical Administration
CMA, CMAA, CPT, RHIT, RHIA
Marketing & Sales
Digital Marketing
Google Ads, Google Analytics, HubSpot Inbound, Meta Blueprint
Sales
Salesforce Administrator, HubSpot Sales, Sandler Training
Human Resources
HR Generalist
PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP
Specialized
CEBS (Benefits), CCP (Compensation), CPLP (Training)
Which Certifications Actually Matter?
- Industry-recognized certifications from reputable organizations (not random online courses)
- Certifications specifically mentioned in job postings you're targeting
- Current certifications (expired ones can hurt more than help)
- Certifications that are legally required for your profession (RN, CPA, PE)
- Vendor-specific certifications for tools you'll use (AWS, Salesforce, HubSpot)
Red Flag: Low-Value Certifications
Avoid listing certifications from unknown providers, free "participation" certificates, or courses that took less than a few hours. These can actually hurt your credibility. Focus on meaningful credentials that required real effort and assessment.
How to List In-Progress Certifications
Certifications you're currently pursuing can still add value – especially if they're relevant to the job:
In-Progress Format Examples
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Project Management Institute | Expected December 2025
CFA Level II Candidate
CFA Institute | Exam scheduled June 2025
AWS Solutions Architect – Professional
Amazon Web Services | Currently preparing
Pro Tip: Be Honest About Progress
Only list in-progress certifications if you're actively working toward them and have a concrete timeline. If you started studying 2 years ago and haven't made progress, don't include it – it raises questions about follow-through.
Common Certification Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕Listing expired certifications without noting they need renewal
- ✕Including every online course completion certificate
- ✕Using acronyms without spelling out the full certification name
- ✕Failing to include the issuing organization
- ✕Listing certifications that aren't relevant to your target role
- ✕Claiming certifications you don't actually have (easily verified!)
- ✕Burying important certifications at the bottom of your resume
Pro Tips for Maximizing Certification Impact
- Add certifications to your LinkedIn profile with verification links
- Mention key certifications in your cover letter when relevant
- Keep certifications current – set calendar reminders for renewal
- Get certified in tools mentioned in job postings for your target roles
- Some certifications can go after your name (CPA, PMP, PhD) – use this for high-value credentials
- If you have many certifications, only list the most relevant 5-8
Certifications: Your Competitive Advantage
In today's job market, the right certifications can set you apart from other candidates with similar experience. They demonstrate commitment to your field, validated expertise, and continuous learning. They also complement your education section.
Choose certifications that are genuinely valuable in your industry, format them professionally, and place them where they'll make the most impact. Your credentials represent real work – make sure they get the visibility they deserve. Don't forget to highlight relevant skills alongside your certifications.
Showcase Your Credentials Professionally
Our free resume builder makes it easy to add and format your certifications alongside your experience and education.
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