Resume Items

Resume Items

A friend of mine is attempting to leave his job of 20 years (immediately out of High school). He is attempting to put together a resume’ without any “education experiences” on it. I’m trying to help him get some “education experience items” on his resume. The on thing I could come up with is a professional certificate from Villanova U.com in project management. Any other programs out there that he could do that would look good on a resume’?

 

What type of work has your friend been doing for the past 20 years and what type of work is sought in the future?

 

If he has substantial experience in the project management field he may qualify to take the PMP exam in order to gain that certification through PMI. It seems to outweigh many degree pursuits when it comes to a point application of knowledge and qualification in that particular field and is highly regarded throughout the world. http://www.pmi.org/info/default.asp

 

I would definitely list the certificate. Also, if he can move towards PMP certification, and if in progress, that should also go on the resume.

I would say anthing that is a credential or a certificate should go on the resume if applicable to the possition applied. If not related, it should be removed. For example, a cosmetology license will not be viewed as a positive (at best neutral of likely negative) for someone applying to manange construction projects.

 

If its a certificate, your friend should not list it under "education" but rather "training". Or, he could just list it under the heading "Education and Training" and let the viewer guess. That's what I did with my Tulane certificate on my resume.

 

Education Options

There are a lot of ways to bolster and shape the education section. You're right not to leave it barren. These two books by Wendy Enelow would give you and your friend a lot of ideas:

Best Resumes for People Without a Four-Year Degree

Expert Resumes for People Returning to Work