What is relevant coursework in resumes? Relevant coursework is the demonstration of academic coursework and classes. A job candidate can show relevant coursework in a resume to show whether he/she is a good fit for the role.
You can improve this circumstance by showing the recruiters or hiring managers that you have the theoretical or practical knowledge to undertake the tasks given by the company. For example, if you are a student who studies economics, you can include courses such as microeconomics or macroeconomics. Adding relevant courses on resumes give a better chance of getting hired as an intern since you may not have enough work experience to display on your resume or CV.
You might wonder why it is important to include related coursework on a resume. It may not apply to experienced job candidates with years of work experience already, but it is particularly useful for students or recent graduates. If you are a recent graduate, showing the recruiters or potential employers your relevant courses and classes on the resume can show the employers why the entry-level role is suitable for you. For example, if you have taken a course on marketing strategy in the past, it can be useful to add the coursework to the resume.
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What does including relevant coursework on resumes mean? It means that since you don’t have abundant experience in the field, you can utilize relevant coursework at the university to showcase your skills to the employer. There are several uses for adding relevant coursework to resumes. You can showcase your skills from your experience and also highlight your academic achievements.
But, how do you highlight academic achievements with relevant coursework in resumes? Well, it is not enough to just make a list of courses you have taken in the past. It is better to optimize these experiences with achievements. You can showcase relevant coursework achievements based on your project outcomes, grades, awards, and many other academic opportunities.
Achievements can bring more value to the table, and recruiters or hiring managers are always looking for that. Additionally, remember to quantify these values. For example, use numbers, percentages, and duration.
Adding relevant coursework in resumes is optional. It should not be overlooked, either. The following conditions are examples of when you should include relevant coursework in a resume:
If you have been in the workforce for over a year, you do not need to list relevant coursework on your resume. Instead, you can focus on emphasizing your professional experience and skills in the field. The following examples are people who do not need to include relevant coursework in a resume:
Add a single-column in the education section. You can display relevant courses by listing relevant coursework details of your educational qualifications. Using the education section to showcase your relevant coursework is simple, straightforward, and easy to understand. It is regularly used by students who are still studying. Plus, it gives you more space to add achievements on the resume.
A separate relevant coursework section allows you to explain the relevant courses in detail. The relevant coursework section helps you stand out as a person. Adding a separate relevant coursework section is handy for recent graduates because it shows the recruiters your growth. For instance, skills that you have developed as a result of taking that relevant coursework.
A simple way to add your relevant coursework on a resume is by adding an additional line under the education section. This approach is easy and can save a lot of space on your resume.
EDUCATION
2015 | BSc in General Engineering
Georgia Southern University, GA
Relevant Coursework: Living Systems, Cyber Systems, Cyber Materials, and Future Energy
If you want to showcase relevant coursework on your resume using bullet points, a single-column format can be useful especially if you consider several courseworks that are in line with the job description.
EDUCATION
2015 | BSc in General Engineering
Georgia Southern University, GA
Relevant Coursework:
A multi-column format is a long format for relevant courseworks on a resume. This approach is recommended for freshers and students. You can elaborate different courses by categorizing them into specific topics.
EDUCATION
2015 | BSc in General Engineering
Georgia Southern University, GA
Relevant Engineering Coursework:
Living Systems
Cyber Systems
A detailed format can showcase your skill sets gained from previously taken relevant coursework. On your resume, you can quantify the experience from the coursework by using numbers, time, percentages, and achievements.
EDUCATION
2015 | BSc in General Engineering
Georgia Southern University, GA
Relevant Coursework:
EDUCATION
Rancho Cucamonga High School, CA | 2021
Relevant Coursework: AP Calculus, AP Geology, Government, Sociology
EDUCATION
BSc Honors in Psychology, California State University | 2014
Relevant Coursework:
EDUCATION
BSc Honors in Psychology, California State University | 2014
Relevant Psychology Coursework:
Statistics
Psychological Theory
EDUCATION
BSc in Engineering Science, California State University | 2015
Relevant Coursework:
EDUCATION
BSc in Accounting, California State University | 2018
Relevant Coursework: Management Information Systems, Managerial Accounting, Organizational Behavior, Advanced Financial Accounting
EDUCATION
BSc in Nursing, University of Washington | 2021
Relevant Coursework:
EDUCATION
BA in Finance, University of Arizona | 2017
Relevant Coursework:
Accounting
Finance
EDUCATION
BA in Business Administration, Ohio Dominican University | 2015
Relevant Coursework:
EDUCATION
BA in Graphic Design, University of Alabama | 2018
Relevant Coursework: Design Thinking, Design Issues, Print Layouts and Publications, Studio
EDUCATION
BA in Education, University of Arizona | 2018
Relevant Coursework:
Whether you’re applying for an internship or an entry-level job, keep in mind that including coursework in your resume does not mean that you should add as many as you can. Only keep the relevant courses suitable for the job position.
It’s always good to increase the chance of getting noticed by the recruiters. You can do so by including achievements you have obtained from the courses.
Including relevant keywords to the job description. The ATS scans for specific keywords on your job application, so keywords will help your resume pass ATS screening.
If you don’t know which keywords to include, look at two to five job advertisements similar to your desired job title then identify frequently used keywords in these advertisements. And don’t forget to incorporate those keywords when listing relevant courseworks on your resume!
🔑 Key Takeaways
Here are how you put relevant coursework on a resume:
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--- Originally written by Diana Shih ---
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