by Tammy Clevenger

Created on: June 06, 2009   Last Updated: June 16, 2009

Finding a job is top priority for many people in this tough economy. Having the best possible resume to present to potential employers is not just a 'nice to have', it is necessary. Whether you construct your resume from scratch or utilize a resume template, you should present the potential employer with a clean, concise document that is neat, readable and easily scanned. To accomplish these objectives, you want to use the most effective methods for listing your skills, degrees and certifications.

Listing certifications, particularly on an IT resume, may be tricky. IT professionals often collect several certifications and their employability depends on how they present their skills and 'certs' to potential employers. The key is to list certifications in the appropriate section of the resume, and to list them in a easily readable way.

IT Certifications on the Resume

As IT professionals progress in their chosen careers, the list of their certifications grows and grows. When first starting out, with just one or two certifications, list these certs in a separate section under the general heading of 'Education & Certification'. As with all sections, make sure the format is one that enables easy scanning by the reader. Bullet points are an excellent choice for formatting the Education & Certification section.

Once you have attained more than two certifications, list these in the technical skills section of the resume. By then, you should have a hearty list of technical skills. The certifications highlight these skills and prove standardized proficiency.

Service and Professional Certifications

For cosmetologists, certified food and alcohol handlers, EMTs and other professionals who must maintain active certifications in their chosen fields, certifications should be listed in the Summary of Qualifications, in the first paragraph of the resume. The professional certification should be one of the first things the interviewer or potential employer should see. Make sure you also indicate the active dates for each of the listed certifications.

For more formatting ideas, be sure to review several resumes by various authors. Find resumes of individuals with skills similar to yours and review how these professionals highlight their certifications, skills and previous experience. You are sure to find some new and fresh ideas. Remember: even if your resume was perfect five years ago, chances are you need to update it for distribution in 2009.

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