Showcasing Certifications on a CV

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Certifications are official documents which verify a qualification, course, study or training. Including your certifications on a CV can attract the recruiter’s attention and make you stand out from a group of candidates.

Applicants often focus on the interview and forget that writing your CV is one of the most crucial parts of applying for a job. Incorporating your certifications into your CV can highlight your key skills and knowledge, as well as tick the boxes of the job requirements.

Having the right certifications can be crucial in certain fields, making you a more valuable and sought-after candidate. In this article, we will explore the benefits of adding certifications to your professional CV, and provide examples of how to include them effectively.

Benefits of adding certifications to your CV

Some of the many benefits of listing certifications on your CV include:

• Increased credibility: Certifications demonstrate your commitment to professional growth and validate your key skills in a specific area. This can boost your credibility and make you more attractive to potential employers.
• Improved job prospects: Many employers look for specific certifications when hiring for certain roles. Listing relevant certifications on your CV can increase your chances of being shortlisted for these positions.
• Higher salary potential: In some industries, certified professionals can command higher salaries than their non-certified counterparts. Certifications on your CV can help you negotiate better remuneration packages.
• Networking opportunities: Earning certifications often involves attending courses or seminars, which can provide valuable networking opportunities with industry professionals and potential employers.

Listing certifications on a CV

The process of listing your certificates may be as easy as pie, or quite the contrary.

Here is a rough guide for how to include certifications on a CV:

• Compile a list of your certifications and decide which are most relevant to the job specification, therefore boosting your job application and making you a strong candidate
• Check the validity of your certificate and make sure that none have expired
• Distinguish which certifications should be listed in which sections of your CV i.e., education, qualifications or certifications
• List them accordingly in a clear and concise manner

Where to list certifications on a CV

Academic certifications should ideally be listed in the education section of your CV. This can also be said for certifications which involve studying at a college or university, such as a Creative Multimedia and Journalism Higher National Diploma.

Other Certifications which are less orientated towards a specific industry can be listed in a qualifications section, or you can choose to call this section “certifications”, as well.

You may feel that a certain certificate you hold doesn’t make the cut or fit on your CV. In such cases, you can mention it in a cover letter for a job application. It may add a special something to your cover letter and give your job application an extra edge.

CV certification format

Formatting the certifications section of a CV is a matter of following your CV format and keeping all features consistent.

You can use a CV template to create a CV with a perfect format and professional layout.

Tips on formatting certifications on a CV:

• Make sure your font and font size is the same as on the rest of your CV
• Ensure layout and spacing is equal
• Don’t write long sentences
• Always date your certifications
• State the name of the certifying organisation, college or institute

If you have one or two certificates, you can list them in the qualifications section, or create a separate certifications section to highlight your achievements and qualifications.

Remember: if called for an interview, you should make sure you take your certificates with you (preferably in a folder which contains all relevant documents).

Types of certifications to include on a CV

Types of certification can vary depending on the type of work, but not all have to relate directly to a specific industry. Certifications can include transferable skills gained from extracurricular activities.

For example:

• First aid
• Equality and diversity training course
• Management and leadership certification course

If you have a certification which was voluntary, this can demonstrate your interest and passion for a certain subject or area of work.

Some certifications are obligatory for a candidate to hold in order to succeed in the job application process. This can vary from sector to sector, but an example would be a medical certification in order to work a certain position in the medical sector.

In such cases, it is vital that these certifications are presented correctly on a CV and that recruiters are aware which professional certifications you possess.

When not to list certifications on your CV

Although certifications can be valuable on your CV, there are instances when it’s best not to add them.

These include:

• Irrelevant certifications: Listing certifications unrelated to the job you’re applying for can make your CV appear unfocused. Only include those that are directly applicable to the role.
• Excessive certifications: While it’s important to showcase your qualifications, listing too many certifications can make your CV appear cluttered and overwhelming. Prioritize the most relevant and recent certifications.
• Outdated certifications: If a certification is no longer recognized or has been replaced by a newer version, it’s best not to include it on your CV.

Unless you are in the process of renewing your certification, you shouldn’t leave an expired certificate on your CV.

Not all certificates expire, though it is true that some are only valid for a certain amount of time. Therefore, it’s worth checking the validity if you are in the process of updating your CV

If you are in the process of retaking or renewing a certificate, you should indicate this on your CV.

CV certification examples

View the following examples to understand which types of certificate fit in which sections of a CV.

Example 1 – In a dedicated certifications section

Certifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), Scrum Alliance
• ITIL Foundation Certification, AXELOS

Example 2 – In the education section

Education

• 2013-2017 South Downs College
• Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business and Management

Example 3 – In your CV summary or objective

Professional Summary
Results-driven project manager with 5 years of experience and a PMP certification, skilled in agile methodologies and delivering complex IT projects on time and within budget.

Example 4 – In the job experience section

Work Experience
Digital Marketing Specialist, ABC Agency, 2020-2022

• Developed and executed successful SEO and SEM strategies, increasing organic traffic by 35% and achieving a 20% higher conversion rate, leveraging Google Analytics Individual Qualification (GAIQ) and Google Ads Certification.
• Managed social media campaigns across multiple platforms, resulting in a 50% increase in brand engagement and a 25% growth in followers, supported by Hootsuite Social Marketing Certification.

If you’re really committed to creating an outstanding document where your certifications can really stand out, consider using our online CV maker. This will guarantee you avoid making format or layout mistakes and get you the call for that coveted interview you’re looking for.