THE PROFESSIONAL TOUCH: MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSURE

by Darlene Zambruski, ResumeEdge.com Managing Editor, CPRW, SME

Every professional designation that is germane to your career goal should be listed and showcased at the very beginning of your resume. Providing hiring managers with visual cues as to your professional level quickly and effectively captures their attention.

Methods to Showcase Your Certifications and Licensure:

1. Include the licensure after your name in the resume heading (eg: CPA, MD, RN, JD, etc.)

2. Provide a separate section directly beneath the Qualifications Summary with details as to where you are licensed to practice law, medicine, sell real estate, etc.

3. Use company logos to indicate certification (eg: Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator, Oracle Certified Professional, etc.)

A Word About Providing Details of Your Certifications & Licensure

Because hiring managers expect specifics in applicant resumes, you should:

1. Include ending dates of certification, when applicable.

2. States or countries where the certification or licensure is in effect.

3. Whether continuing education is being met or has been met in order to retain certification.


A Word About Data Security

If you are planning to email your resume or post it to a website, it is advisable not to include any certification or license numbers. In the past, individuals have taken these numbers and sold them on the open market. Your best bet is to list the licensing agency and date on your resume with the note that your license or certification number will be provided during the interview process.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

· Although I am an attorney, I don’t practice and am currently looking for work in the HR field. Should I still include those states where I’m licensed to practice law?

Yes. All industries have legal issues that must be addressed. In HR these might be employment law, union negotiations, and contracts (just to name a few). By indicating on your resume that you’re an attorney and licensed to practice in the states where your resume will be distributed could give you an advantage over less-qualified applicants.

· Since I’m targeting a job as an Oracle Database Administrator, should I exclude my Microsoft Certifications?

Certifications within a certain industry (in your case IT) indicate that you’re willing to remain current in your field and to excel. With new IT companies and products continually entering the market, your past history of certification (Oracle and Microsoft) will indicate to a hiring manager that you will be receptive to future certification, no matter the company. However, because Oracle Database Administration is your current goal, it should be showcased first.

· I’ve only passed two parts of the CPA exam so far, how do I include this on my resume?

You may include it in your Qualifications Summary, writing something like this:

“Seeking CPA certification; successfully passed two parts of the examination in January 2003.”
By adding the date the examination was passed or the date you expect to be certified indicates to a hiring manager that you are serious about obtaining this designation.

IF YOU HAVE A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND

by Darlene Zambruski, ResumeEdge.com Managing Editor, CPRW, SME

Initiating a successful job search and creating an effective resume if you have a criminal background will depend upon several key factors.

1. Was your offense recent or well in the past?

The laws governing employer inquiries into a candidate’s criminal past vary from time to time and could vary from state to state. If your offense was well in the past (15 or more years removed), and there have been no new offenses, and your work history since that time has been consistent, then your resume should be no different than one provided by a candidate without a criminal past.

2. Was your offense classified as an infraction, misdemeanor, or a felony?

Infractions and misdemeanors (eg: speeding tickets, disturbing the peace, etc.) will not alter your professional history (unless your speeding tickets resulted in a license suspension and you need a driver’s license to work). Therefore, your resume should be no different than one provided by any other candidate.

However, if your offense was for a serious felony, and you were convicted, there will be an employment gap on your resume. If the felony was well into the past and no criminal activities have occurred since that time, the professional history on your resume can begin after time was served. Another option is to create a functional resume where your skills and qualifications are presented first, while a listing of your employers is placed last. Such data organization helps to minimize gaps in employment that may have been caused by incarceration.

3. Was your offense substantially related to your past or projected career?

Convictions for offenses that cause disbarment, removal of licenses, etc., will substantially alter your chances to again work in that field. For example, if you were an accountant convicted of embezzlement, your best option is to transition to a new career in which your analytical and math skills are useful, but you will not be handling funds. Again, a functional resume format stressing capabilities, your intent of entering a new career field (in which you can use your past skills), while minimizing gaps in employment, is best.

4. Did you have consistent work history and performance before the offense?

If you were a valuable employee with numerous accomplishments, these should be showcased. Again, a functional format emphasizing skills and abilities is best

5. Are you about to be paroled?

Generally speaking, parole is contingent upon available employment. If you’re seeking parole, your resume should list work history before incarceration and any training or coursework taken while incarcerated. A reverse chronological format or a functional format is acceptable as your criminal history will be known to the potential employer.