how many course should i list on my resume

by Derek Cruickshank Jr. 7 min read

Be selective
While there isn't a hard and fast rule about how many classes you should list on your resume, between 3 and 8 is a good goal. If you include more than 4 classes, look at our advice about how to format your skills on a resume and apply it to a list of courses instead.
Aug 17, 2021

How many classes should I list on my resume?

 · List the courses. Try to limit your list to under five items to avoid overwhelming the reader. List the course names exactly as they appear online, as employers may use that information the check their validity. Also, include the providers next to the titles to aid their search.

How do you list coursework on a resume?

 · How to list coursework on a resume 1. First, list relevant courses that show experience. For example, if you are applying for a job in education, you can... 2. Second, add internships to your resume. Many courses require you to complete summer internships that might not pay... 3. Third, include ...

How many pages should my resume be?

 · While there isn't a hard and fast rule about how many classes you should list on your resume, between 3 and 8 is a good goal. If you include more than 4 classes, look at our advice about how to format your skills on a resume and apply it to a list of courses instead. Your resume is supposed to be one or two pages--and for entry-level candidates, one page is likely …

Is coursework enough for a resume?

 · If your only degree is the Associate’s degree, list it no matter how long ago, but don’t include graduation date. 4. You never finished your Associate’s degree but transferred to a four-year college and completed your Bachelor’s Degree. No need to go there. 5.

Should I list my courses on resume?

List only those courses that give you specific knowledge (usually electives) and are directly relevant to the position to which you are applying. On your resume the best place to include information about relevant courses is directly under the degree program in which you took the course.

Should you put course numbers on resume?

When creating a resume, you can add a section titled “Relevant Coursework." In it, include the courses directly related to the position you are applying for. For example, if you're applying for work as a paralegal, list any classes you took related to law or politics.

How much education should you put on a resume?

Though varying levels of detail are required for different jobs, the education section is often the shortest portion of the resume—try keeping it around 15–30 words. It's important to format your educational experience to match the requirements of the job you're applying for.

How do you list courses taught on a resume?

To the right of each course, in parentheses, give the terms and years taught. This allows you to show the number of times you've taught a course without listing it over and over. Give course titles BUT NEVER GIVE COURSE NUMBERS! Course numbers are meaningless outside your campus.

Should you include future courses on resume?

“Relevant coursework” is an optional entry-level resume section that includes coursework you've completed related to the job you're applying to. Additionally, this section can include projects, academic achievements, extracurriculars and volunteer opportunities.

How many skills should be on a resume?

You should list between 5 and 10 skills on a resume, depending on how you choose to present them. For bulleted lists of software programs, hard skills, and soft skills, around 10 is the sweet spot. In functional, skills-based resumes, focus on 4–6 most relevant general skill sets.

What information should be left off of a resume?

Leave off details such as height, weight, birth date, age, sex, religion, political affiliation, or place of birth. Employers shouldn't make employment decisions based on these factors, and they may resent the fact that you are tempting them to do so. Keep your resume focused on the facts.

Is it OK to leave education off your resume?

If you have more than 10 to 15 years of experience, put your education at the bottom of your resume without a graduation date. If you have five to seven years of experience, put your education at the bottom of the resume with your graduation date.

How do you list multiple degrees on a resume?

Organizing Multiple Degrees on a Resume When organizing the different schools you attended, list them in reverse chronological order. In other words, the highest degree earned should be at the top. For example, your master's degree should be listed above your bachelor's degree. Have you attended college?

Do you put certifications under education?

Generally, your certification and license sections should go at the bottom of your resume—below your work experience but above education.

How do you list online courses on a resume?

Listing online courses on your resume: A step by step guideFocus on relevant courses. ... Choose where to list them. ... List the name of the course.Include the name of the provider.Specify the date you completed the qualification.Include 1-3 accomplishments or key learnings in bullet points (optional).

Can you put free online courses on your CV?

From networking skills to the science of wellbeing, there is a huge range of courses. Many of the courses are free and you'll get certification at the end, making them ideal to put on your CV.

What Position Are You Applying for?

You should always start by considering the position. Some positions have educational requirements where everyone has basically the same educational...

How Much Job Experience Do You have?

That leads us to the second question you need to ask. Do you have the type of job experience you need to convince an employer that you’re the right...

Tips For Listing Relevant Coursework on A Resume

If your experience is thin and you need to focus on relevant coursework, there are a few tips you need to keep in mind. Use them to help guide you...

Listing Relevant Coursework on A Resume – Example

There are a couple of acceptable ways to list your relevant coursework on a resume. Your choice should be based on need. If you have some experienc...

Relevant Coursework on A Resume Can Make A Real Difference!

Like many job-seekers, you may not be thrilled at the prospect of listing your relevant coursework on a resume. Still, those details can sometimes...

What to include on a resume if it doesn't fill a page?

And if your resume doesn’t quite fill a page, include other relevant experiences you’ve accumulated in life in addition to your coursework.

What should a course description include?

Ideally, your course descriptions should include quantifiable information. For example, you can say you conducted 40+ hours of field work, interviewed 3 professionals about their fields of expertise, and gave a 20-minute PowerPoint presentation to 32 classmates.

Why is coursework important on a resume?

Putting relevant coursework on your resume is especially important if you’re writing a resume with no work experience. Doing so demonstrates you have knowledge related to the position, even if you lack experience in the workforce.

Why do you include coursework in your work experience section?

Including coursework in your work experience section allows you to share detailed information about what you did for each course.

When writing a resume, do you need to include coursework?

The best place to include these classes is after listing the high school, college or technical school you attended.

What to include in your resume while attending school?

While attending school, you probably completed several class projects. For example, if you are looking for a business marketing job, include project information where you learned marketing techniques. If you have pictures or examples of brochures and data analysis charts, you might want to include these as an attachment with your resume or take them in your portfolio when you go for an interview.

What to include when applying for a job?

For example, if you are applying for a job with a newspaper, include your experience working on the yearbook for both high school and college. If you wrote articles for your school newspaper, include this experience and even some writing samples.

What to include in a summer internship?

For example, if you are applying for a law firm job, include your internship working as a file clerk or transcriptionist. During these internships, you probably learned to answer phones, talk with clients and specific legal terminology. Listing this on your resume shows you have a knowledgeable background working with attorneys, even if you might not have paid employment experience.

How to add internships to resume?

1. First, list relevant courses that show experience. For example, if you are applying for a job in education, you can list courses in child development, child psychology and any other classes that will show experience working with children. 2. Second, add internships to your resume. Many courses require you to complete summer internships ...

Can you list coursework on a resume?

Recent graduates or people changing careers may not have enough related experience. This is the perfect opportunity to list coursework instead of experience. Before you can impress a hiring manager with your skills and talents, you first need to get an interview. Without showing experience on a resume, it might be difficult to reach that first step.

Do you have to include every class on your transcript?

You do not need to include every class on your transcript. Instead, choose relevant classes for the position you are applying for. If you are applying for a variety of jobs, you might need to change the courses on your resume for different applications.

How many pages should a resume be?

Your resume is supposed to be one or two pages--and for entry-level candidates, one page is likely sufficient. Use commas, columns, or other visual dividers to keep your coursework organized. 2. Add other relevant educational experience. If you’re including relevant coursework on a resume, you might also include your high GPA.

What is the one thing that pushes you past your rivals and gets you that all-important interview?

You just might find that your educational achievements are the one thing that pushes you past your rivals and gets you that all-important interview!

Can you put online classes on your resume?

If you've taken any online classes, you can put those on your resume even if they weren't part of your degree. We have a separate guide about how to include online courses on your resume.

Is coursework a professional experience?

While coursework is not the equivalent of actual hands-on professional experience, it can be enough to sway an employer who is impressed with the rest of your student resume. Remember, the whole goal of a resume is to garner enough interest to net you an interview. These little details may be just what you need to get that consideration.

Is college coursework relevant?

If you have a BA or higher education and you're applying for jobs that only require an AA or a high school diploma, your college coursework is probably not relevant. Before you decide to include any coursework on a resume, you need to ask yourself whether it bolsters your qualifications for the job you want to land.

Should coursework be on a resume?

The first thing you need to know is that relevant coursework should only be on your resume when it's both relevant and recent. Unlike your degree-- which almost always belongs on your resume - -your coursework is optional on a resume. In that case, you're most likely to want to list some coursework if you're a recent graduate ...

Is coursework a good way to include keywords in a job posting?

Still, those details can sometimes be crucial for establishing yourself as a viable candidate for a job. When you're short on work experience, your coursework is a great way to include keywords from the job posting.

What is education on a resume?

Education is one of a few key sections employers look for on resumes. This information will inform interviewers of your background, which can be a helpful way to understand more about your fit for the role. If your education is particularly relevant to the position or includes any credentials that are required for the job, this section may quickly set you apart from other candidates.

Why is it important to include education on your resume?

For example, a recent graduate will want to include more detail and place the education section in a prominent position on their resume because this is the bulk of their experience . Alternatively, a person who has been in ...

What to ask when interviewing a student?

Your interviewer may ask you to explain or give more detail on the educational experiences you’ve listed, so be prepared to answer this and any other follow-up questions they may have on your qualifications.

What is the most important thing to keep in mind as you document your education?

The most important thing to keep in mind as you document your education is honesty. Potential employers may conduct a background check before offering you a job. If they come across information that’s different from what’s on your resume, this could hurt your chances of getting the job.

What do employers look for in a director of a department?

A recruiter seeking a director of a department might be looking for business or managerial training, like an MBA.

Can you have a separate professional development section?

You can take steps to boost the section with certifications or other professional development achievements. You can even consider having a separate professional development section, showcasing how you’ve continued education relevant to the job.

How to organize coursework on resume?

Here are three common ways to organize your coursework. 1. Use a single-column format. The single-column format looks similar to the education section on your resume, simply displaying your relevant coursework in list form. ...

Where should coursework be placed on a resume?

If you feel this would simply be a helpful supplement to the rest of your resume for an employer, it might be best placed below the education section of your resume.

What is a single column resume?

The single-column format looks similar to the education section on your resume, simply displaying your relevant coursework in list form. For example, a candidate applying for a journalism job might include the following:

Do you have to include work experience on your resume?

If you are a student, you might not have a large volume of work experience to list on your resume. This is common, and employers will take your student status into account when reviewing your resume. However, adding coursework that’s relevant to the job or internship you’re applying for can help employers understand the skills you’re developing ...

Is coursework a good way to demonstrate your expertise?

If you are a student or have just graduated, relevant coursework is a good way to demonstrate your expertise even if you don’t yet have professional experience.

What is a resume writing?

Remember, resume writing is about listing information that would be influential and about keeping content to the minimum necessary to persuade. 2. Your Associate’s degree is from a community college while your Bachelor’s degree is from a more impressive institution or an Ivy league.

How many characters can you answer on Twitter?

The following question came to me via Twitter. Because Twitter limits your answer to 140 characters, you will find my reply below. (Great question!)

Can you list your bachelors and associates degrees?

You would always list your Associate’s Degree and your Bachelor’s Degree so as long as listing both is favorable to your candidacy. Now you may wonder, “how can multiple degrees not be favorable to my candidacy?”

Can you include an associates degree with a bachelor's degree?

Here are a few examples of when you would opt to not include your Associate’s degree if you have a Bachelor’s degree: 1. Your Bachelor’s degree major is in line with your career path but your Associate’s degree is not related in the very least.

1. Write a two-page resume

Though one-page resumes are typically best because they provide the most concise look at your qualifications, you can write a two-page resume if you’re an experienced job seeker with 10+ years of work history and are applying to senior or management roles.

2. Combine relevant experience

Group similar jobs together under one resume work history entry to save space.

3. Include an additional experience section

Removing jobs from your resume can create gaps in your work history. A long period of inactivity is a red flag on a resume for hiring managers because it could mean your skills are outdated or that you were fired and had trouble re-entering the workforce.

1. Add related volunteer work or internships

Highlight relevant internships and volunteer activities. Such experiences can show the hiring manager that you have the skills and work ethic they’re looking for.

2. Describe relevant coursework

Adding relevant coursework on your resume is a great way to make up for a lack of professional experience. Describing your classwork shows employers that you’ll bring up-to-date industry knowledge to the position.

3. Focus on your skills

If you’re switching careers or writing a resume with no experience, draw attention to your transferable skills. By focusing on your skills, you can justify why you’re qualified for a job even if you have no experience in the field. For example:

How to list certifications on resume?

Here are the steps you can follow to list your certifications efficiently: 1. List the certification’s title. Using a font and font size that you included previously in the resume, ...

Why do you list the date of your certification?

First, it informs your reader of how long it has been since you completed the necessary tasks to earn the certification.

Can you apply for employment if you have a certification?

If an employer lists a certain certification under the requirements for employees, you may not be considered for employment unless the employer knows you are sufficiently qualified. Before applying for a job, be sure to consult the company website and the job listing to find out if any certifications are necessary.

Can you have practical experience but not enough experience?

If you have limited practical experience. You might have the skills you need to do a job well but not enough experience to qualify for an interview. In this case, listing a certification that verifies your relevant skillset and commitment to the industry may make up for what you lack in practical experience.

How long should a resume be?

The ideal length is one to two pages. A resume that is more than two pages long is rarely necessary. Consider converting full paragraphs to bulleted lists, cutting job descriptions from your less relevant work entries or streamlining your skills list.

What is the most important thing to include in a resume?

One of the most impactful elements of your resume is your work history. A memorable and concise overview of your relevant experience will help convince hiring managers of your professional capabilities and potential. To make a good impression on your resume's readers, you will need to include an effective number of job titles in your work history ...

How to keep your job list from growing?

To keep your list from growing too long, you can simplify your entries. For some of your older or more irrelevant positions, consider listing only the name of your employer, your job title and the years you worked. If you briefly held a position in an unrelated industry, you might consider omitting this experience unless it would lead to a gap in your work experience. This type of editing allows you to include all your jobs on your list without taking up too much room.

How many years of experience do you need to apply for a job?

If you have over 15 years of experience that is highly relevant to the job you're applying for, you may feel it necessary to include your entire history. If this is the case, there is a guideline you can follow to ensure your job list is well-received.

What to do if you held a job title in the past?

If you held a job title in the past that might be irrelevant to the job you are applying for, consider highlighting the skills involved rather than your job responsibilities . For example, perhaps your practical experience as a hotel manager will not help you get a job as a marketing assistant, but your skills with computer systems, managing a team of employees and providing quality customer service might.

How to explain gaps in resume?

If you do have any gaps in your resume, be prepared to explain them either in your cover letter or during your interview. If you have too many jobs on your list and need to eliminate a few, start by cutting from the beginning of your list.

How to eliminate a job from your job list?

If the job listing requires fewer years of experience than you possess, you have the freedom to eliminate one or more jobs from your list. Consider cutting the entry-level job from early in your career or dropping your recent volunteer position from the list. If you use the specific job listing as your inspiration, it should be easy for you to decide which jobs will make the best impression on your reader.

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Information to Include in Your Resume Education Section

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Hiring managers are looking for a few basic pieces of information when they scan your education section, including: 1. The name of your school 2. Location of your school 3. The degree you obtained (if applicable) 4. Your field of study 5. Graduation year (if applicable) 6. Your GPA (Note: You may not want to include thi…
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What Employers Look For in The Education Section of Your Resume

  • Each employer searches for different things in your education and what they look for depends on the requirements for the job. If you’re applying for an entry-level job, the hiring manager might want to see that you have a high school diploma or college degree. A recruiter seeking a director of a department might be looking for business or managerial training, like an MBA. The educatio…
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How to List Completed Education

  • Recent Graduate (1-5 years) If you’ve recently graduated, place your education section before or in line with your work experience. Your schooling is likely the most prominent piece of your resume, so it is acceptable to make this one of the first sections for employers to see. You can also include your attendance dates, any honors received (cum la...
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How to List Incomplete Or In-Progress Education

  • In-progress education If you’re not finished with your degree, you can still include work you’ve done and when you plan to graduate. Employers are interested in what you’re studying and any specific coursework or special recognitions relevant to the job. If you’re still a student, place the education section just below your contact information and summary statement. Be sure to inclu…
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