Page 174 - Complete Idiot's Guide to The Perfect Resume

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Part 2 ➤ Six Steps to a Perfect Resume

Bonus Check
If you have just one or two entries for a section, you might combine two similar sections
with a double heading, as in the following examples:
Education and Training
Training and Credentials
Awards and Presentations

Interpreting Degree Equivalents

If you achieved a degree equivalency through a less traditional or non-
American system, state your experience in terms of its equivalency, for
example, “B.A. equivalent, St. Paul University, Rome, Italy.” Grace
Deminier’s resume presents her degree equivalent.
Career Casualty
Don’t look overqualified for the Don’t Have a Degree?
job. For some positions, your
master’s or doctoral degree If you went to college, but you do not intend to get your degree in the
might scare the pants off an immediate future, write your area of study and the name of the col-
employer because you look too lege, for instance: Liberal Arts, Oberlin College. If you attended several
expensive or intimidating. When schools without completing your degree requirements, list only one or
in doubt, leave the degree off. two schools. Listing more than that might make the reader think you
tend to move around a lot without finishing things. Leonora Braun’s
resume shows how you can present a partial college education.

Yahoo! Just Got My High School Diploma
If you are a new high school graduate, write the name of your high
school and year of graduation. If you have enrolled in a college, say so,
for example, “Enrolled in St. Mary’s College, Moraga, CA.” Frank
Jordan’s resume (following) lists his high school diploma.
Job-Hunt Hint

If a job posting requires a partic-
ular degree that you don’t have,
don’t let that stop you from
applying. On your resume,
emphasize your relevant life
experience, education, and train-
ing. If you present your case well,
the employer may see your quali-
fications as a degree equivalent.

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