Are you sprucing up your resume? It’s a good idea to do this regularly, so you’re not overwhelmed when it’s time to apply for a job. Every piece of information has its own place within your resume, and this includes certifications. So what are they, when should you include them, and where should you place them?
What is a certification?
It’s a professional credential you’ve earned. Certifications require you to complete certain tasks and experiences to complete them, and professional organizations and associations issue them within your industry. Some certificates are either needed by your state or federally, depending on your job. You’ll need to earn them to practice in your field legally. Others aren’t required but show that you learned in-depth knowledge within a certain discipline in your field and show your passion for your career.
When should you include certifications in your resume?
This depends on how you’re tailoring your resume to apply to a specific job. Of course, if you’re required to have the certification, you should include it. Beyond that, if it’s applicable to a job opportunity, it’s a good idea to include it, especially based on the qualifications for the job. But if a certification doesn’t have much to do with what you’re applying for, it doesn’t make sense to include it in your resume. This could be true if you’re changing career paths or trying something different.
How to include certifications in your resume
You could include them within your Education section, or if you have a few, you could create a Professional Certifications or Professional Licenses section of your resume. This would likely fit best at the end of your resume.
For each certification you list, include the following:
- The name of the certification or license, followed by any commonly accepted abbreviations in parentheses after it
- The name of the organization who issued the certification or license, and/or the state/location from which you received it
- The date the certification or license was issued, or “in progress” if you’re still working on earning it
- Any other details that might be useful in describing the certification or license
Resume ready to go?
Once you’ve added any applicable certifications and licenses—you’re probably ready to start putting your resume to good use! And if you’re in search of your next insurance job, check out the job search page at InsuranceRecruiters.com.
