Education on a Resume - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

HeyAgain · 04-26-2006, 01:33 PM

On a resume, what would you put down or would like to see when someone has an incomplete post-secondary education.

My main objective is to obtain full-time employment but also to let any potential employer that reviews my resume that I am ABLE to work full-time year round while returning to school in the fall on a part-time basis (i.e. night classes). I don’t want the education section to hinder my ability to find employment.

Option 1:

Attended ABC University
B.A. in Economics

Option 2:

ABC University
B.A. in Economics (Incomplete)

Option 3:

ABC University
B.A. in Economics (In Progress)

Option 4:

ABC University
B.A. in Economics (Part-time Studies)

Option 5:

ABC University
B.A. in Economics (Part-time Studies - Night Classes)

maleficent · 04-26-2006, 01:45 PM

I'm not sure it's appropriate to but down that you have a BA, if you didn't.

it's perfectly acceptable to put down
ABC University
Majored in Economics
Majoring in Economics (if you are still attending classes)
2000 - 2003

Let the interviewer draw their own conclusions

If i saw the resume and saw that wrote down BA-- you better well have one...

abaya · 04-26-2006, 02:24 PM

Yeah, you shouldn't be writing "BA" at all, unless you actually received the degree. Put something like what Mal suggested, accompanied by perhaps your # of credits and your current GPA. Something like that.

Sage · 04-26-2006, 03:28 PM

Everything that I ever read about putting education on a resume` suggested this format if you're currently in classes:

Economics Major, ABC University, (City), (Year that you started)-Present

By putting "Present" at the end, it sorta suggests that you're still attending classes. Plus, if you're going to a university, it's understood that you're seeking a Batchelor's degree. Don't put your GPA if it's less than 3.0. Also, if you've made dean's list or anything like that, put that down too.

Your resume` is just to get the person interested in you enough to get in there and get an interview. Don't worry about the person revewing your resume` knowing your work schedule- that's what you talk about in the interview! Good luck!

Rodney · 04-26-2006, 04:04 PM

I like what Sage says. But if you have completed any particular coursework that would enhance your employability, I might add that to the listing: statistics, for example. Or, if you have a place on the resume that sums up your ability, stash the coursework reference over there ("Experienced data entry operator, spreadsheet power user, university-level coursework in statistics and applied math...")

HeyAgain · 04-26-2006, 06:34 PM

Followup on what I've posted.

My main intention for the education section is to indicate that I will be returning to school to complete the incomplete B.A. in Economics in the fall only on part-time basis (i.e. night classes).

abaya · 04-26-2006, 06:41 PM

That's fine, but you still cannot put "BA" on your resume until it's a done deal. Sage had a good suggestion for how to go about doing this...

Willravel · 04-26-2006, 06:48 PM

ABC U...OH YEAH!!! KAPPA ALPHA LAMDA!!!

Just kidding.

Attended ABC University from 1998 to 2002, graduated with B.A. in Tilted Economics with a 3.83 GPA.

Attending ABC University from 2004 to present, currently have a 3.83 GPA.

(then you include a letter from a prof that likes you a lot)

As an employer of students, I'd be very impressed with a letter from a prof and a GPA.

Poppinjay · 04-26-2006, 06:49 PM

If your CV is going to be available to a large number of employers, ie: Monster.com, then put "Currently Part-Time".

If you are going to send out resumes for specific jobs, they will understand that you don't assume to work and go to school at the same time of day.

I've gone over hundreds of resumes, and I've never tossed one because their in- progress education might appear to be a time conflict.

HeyAgain · 04-26-2006, 08:23 PM

Would this be suitable:

ABC University, Faculty of Arts
Majoring in Economics (Currently Part-Time Evening Studies)

abaya · 04-26-2006, 09:29 PM

That sounds pretty honest and clear, though I still don't see why you must include this "part-time evening studies" bit. To me, resumes are about reducing the amount of verbiage to what is absolutely necessary. If I were you, I would do it this way:

ABC University . . . . . . . . . . . 09/2002-Present (or whenever you started)
Major: Economics . . . . . . . . . GPA: 3.83

And leave it at that. But that's my take. See what other people say... then go for it! (P.S. Use spaces instead of periods; I just did that b/c html won't let me put tabbed spaces there.)

Jinn · 04-27-2006, 06:55 AM

Code:

ABC University               09/2002-Present (or whenever you started)
Major: Economics             GPA: 3.83

Just FYI -- you can use the [code/ tag to keep embedded spacing..

HeyAgain · 04-27-2006, 07:39 AM

I've included the (Currently Part-Time Evening Studies) portion because I don't want any potential employer to pass up on my resume when I am applying for a full-time job. If they can clearly see that I am attending classes only at night, they would have less concern about considering me for the position.

It has been 5 years since I last attended university and I'm restarting again the program in fall, should I just exclude any specific dates?

As for the GPA, if it is at 2.8, should I leave this out as well since it is below a 3.0?

maleficent · 04-27-2006, 07:45 AM

leave off the gpa - i would also leave off that you are going to school part time -if that belongs anywhere, it's in the cover letter and gets discussed during the interview...

When you go to school, is really not the employer's concern... you are applying for a job, you make it your business to show up...

If you have college credits under your belt - -put that on your resume

ABC University
Economics Major
1999- 2001
(No degree listed assumes you didn't graduate)

If you intend to go to school but aren't registered yet... Do not put it on the resume... cover letter it goes on.

A resume is a record of your history and achievements in as a comprehensive yet concise form as possible... It shouldn't include things that you will do because you don't know what the future will hold...

There are some things that can be checked pretty easily - education dates is very easily verifiable-- you don't want to get caught in a fib...

thingstodo · 04-27-2006, 10:21 AM

As a manager I like to see people say what they are majoring in and their expected completion date. That tells me what the future looks like from a timing perspective.

Sultana · 04-27-2006, 10:58 AM

Definitely leave off the "Currently Part-Time Evening Studies". It's unneccessary, wordy, and looks...unprofessional.

And yes, expected completion date is good to include.

I would not include GPA, no matter how high it is. Unless you are applying to schools (for schooling, not for a job), it doesn't matter. Go for the meat, not the garnish.

politicophile · 04-29-2006, 04:25 PM

ABC University_____________Expected Graduation: 200X
Honors: Dean's List, etc.

Keep it simple: elaborate in your cover letter if necessary and discuss your class schedule at the interview.

04-26-2006, 01:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
HeyAgain Psycho	Education on a Resume On a resume, what would you put down or would like to see when someone has an incomplete post-secondary education. My main objective is to obtain full-time employment but also to let any potential employer that reviews my resume that I am ABLE to work full-time year round while returning to school in the fall on a part-time basis (i.e. night classes). I don’t want the education section to hinder my ability to find employment. Option 1: Attended ABC University B.A. in Economics Option 2: ABC University B.A. in Economics (Incomplete) Option 3: ABC University B.A. in Economics (In Progress) Option 4: ABC University B.A. in Economics (Part-time Studies) Option 5: ABC University B.A. in Economics (Part-time Studies - Night Classes)

04-26-2006, 01:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	I'm not sure it's appropriate to but down that you have a BA, if you didn't. it's perfectly acceptable to put down ABC University Majored in Economics Majoring in Economics (if you are still attending classes) 2000 - 2003 Let the interviewer draw their own conclusions If i saw the resume and saw that wrote down BA-- you better well have one... __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

04-26-2006, 02:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
abaya Location: Iceland	Yeah, you shouldn't be writing "BA" at all, unless you actually received the degree. Put something like what Mal suggested, accompanied by perhaps your # of credits and your current GPA. Something like that. __________________ And think not you can direct the course of Love; for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. --Khalil Gibran

04-26-2006, 03:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sage hoarding all the big girl panties since 2005 Location: North side	Everything that I ever read about putting education on a resume` suggested this format if you're currently in classes: Economics Major, ABC University, (City), (Year that you started)-Present By putting "Present" at the end, it sorta suggests that you're still attending classes. Plus, if you're going to a university, it's understood that you're seeking a Batchelor's degree. Don't put your GPA if it's less than 3.0. Also, if you've made dean's list or anything like that, put that down too. Your resume` is just to get the person interested in you enough to get in there and get an interview. Don't worry about the person revewing your resume` knowing your work schedule- that's what you talk about in the interview! Good luck! __________________ Sage knows our mythic history, King Arthur's and Sir Caradoc's She answers hard acrostics, has a pretty taste for paradox She quotes in elegiacs all the crimes of Heliogabalus In conics she can floor peculiarities parabolous -C'hi

04-26-2006, 04:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	I like what Sage says. But if you have completed any particular coursework that would enhance your employability, I might add that to the listing: statistics, for example. Or, if you have a place on the resume that sums up your ability, stash the coursework reference over there ("Experienced data entry operator, spreadsheet power user, university-level coursework in statistics and applied math...") Last edited by Rodney; 04-26-2006 at 04:07 PM..

04-26-2006, 06:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
HeyAgain Psycho	Followup on what I've posted. My main intention for the education section is to indicate that I will be returning to school to complete the incomplete B.A. in Economics in the fall only on part-time basis (i.e. night classes).

04-26-2006, 06:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
abaya Location: Iceland	That's fine, but you still cannot put "BA" on your resume until it's a done deal. Sage had a good suggestion for how to go about doing this... __________________ And think not you can direct the course of Love; for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. --Khalil Gibran

04-26-2006, 06:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	ABC U...OH YEAH!!! KAPPA ALPHA LAMDA!!! Just kidding. Attended ABC University from 1998 to 2002, graduated with B.A. in Tilted Economics with a 3.83 GPA. Attending ABC University from 2004 to present, currently have a 3.83 GPA. (then you include a letter from a prof that likes you a lot) As an employer of students, I'd be very impressed with a letter from a prof and a GPA.

04-26-2006, 06:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
Poppinjay You had me at hello Location: DC/Coastal VA	If your CV is going to be available to a large number of employers, ie: Monster.com, then put "Currently Part-Time". If you are going to send out resumes for specific jobs, they will understand that you don't assume to work and go to school at the same time of day. I've gone over hundreds of resumes, and I've never tossed one because their in- progress education might appear to be a time conflict. __________________ I think the Apocalypse is happening all around us. We go on eating desserts and watching TV. I know I do. I wish we were more capable of sustained passion and sustained resistance. We should be screaming and what we do is gossip. -Lydia Millet

04-26-2006, 08:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
HeyAgain Psycho	Would this be suitable: ABC University, Faculty of Arts Majoring in Economics (Currently Part-Time Evening Studies)

04-26-2006, 09:29 PM	#11 (permalink)
abaya Location: Iceland	That sounds pretty honest and clear, though I still don't see why you must include this "part-time evening studies" bit. To me, resumes are about reducing the amount of verbiage to what is absolutely necessary. If I were you, I would do it this way: ABC University . . . . . . . . . . . 09/2002-Present (or whenever you started) Major: Economics . . . . . . . . . GPA: 3.83 And leave it at that. But that's my take. See what other people say... then go for it! (P.S. Use spaces instead of periods; I just did that b/c html won't let me put tabbed spaces there.) __________________ And think not you can direct the course of Love; for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. --Khalil Gibran Last edited by abaya; 04-26-2006 at 09:32 PM..

04-27-2006, 06:55 AM	#12 (permalink)
Jinn Lover - Protector - Teacher Location: Seattle, WA	Code: ABC University 09/2002-Present (or whenever you started) Major: Economics GPA: 3.83 Just FYI -- you can use the [code/ tag to keep embedded spacing.. __________________ "I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel

04-27-2006, 07:39 AM	#13 (permalink)
HeyAgain Psycho	I've included the (Currently Part-Time Evening Studies) portion because I don't want any potential employer to pass up on my resume when I am applying for a full-time job. If they can clearly see that I am attending classes only at night, they would have less concern about considering me for the position. It has been 5 years since I last attended university and I'm restarting again the program in fall, should I just exclude any specific dates? As for the GPA, if it is at 2.8, should I leave this out as well since it is below a 3.0?

04-27-2006, 07:45 AM	#14 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	leave off the gpa - i would also leave off that you are going to school part time -if that belongs anywhere, it's in the cover letter and gets discussed during the interview... When you go to school, is really not the employer's concern... you are applying for a job, you make it your business to show up... If you have college credits under your belt - -put that on your resume ABC University Economics Major 1999- 2001 (No degree listed assumes you didn't graduate) If you intend to go to school but aren't registered yet... Do not put it on the resume... cover letter it goes on. A resume is a record of your history and achievements in as a comprehensive yet concise form as possible... It shouldn't include things that you will do because you don't know what the future will hold... There are some things that can be checked pretty easily - education dates is very easily verifiable-- you don't want to get caught in a fib... __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less. Last edited by maleficent; 04-27-2006 at 09:09 AM..

04-27-2006, 10:21 AM	#15 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	As a manager I like to see people say what they are majoring in and their expected completion date. That tells me what the future looks like from a timing perspective. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

04-29-2006, 04:25 PM	#17 (permalink)
politicophile Addict	ABC University_____________Expected Graduation: 200X Honors: Dean's List, etc. Keep it simple: elaborate in your cover letter if necessary and discuss your class schedule at the interview. __________________ The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error. ~John Stuart Mill, On Liberty

04-27-2006, 10:58 AM	#16 (permalink)
Sultana Falling Angel Location: L.A. L.A. land	Definitely leave off the "Currently Part-Time Evening Studies". It's unneccessary, wordy, and looks...unprofessional. And yes, expected completion date is good to include. I would not include GPA, no matter how high it is. Unless you are applying to schools (for schooling, not for a job), it doesn't matter. Go for the meat, not the garnish. __________________ "Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips over, pinning you underneath. At night, the ice weasels come." - Matt Groening My goal? To fulfill my potential.