Format Tips: Writing A Canadian Resume Education Section

Resume formats vary depending on the job description; however, they normally include a section dedicated to education. An education section on a resume contains information about the degrees you have earned, any continuing education opportunities and any honors that you received while attending school.

Writing a resume education section is important because it provides valuable information about the training you have taken over the years, especially if you have kept up with changes in your field. Recruiters often look to this information in order to make hiring decisions.

What to Include

When writing a Canadian resume education section, include any degrees that you have earned over the years. You do not need to include high school information, however, if you have gone beyond high school and have earned an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s or PhD. Include the dates you attended and the date of your graduation.

If you have not graduated yet, place the number of degree hours earned and your expected date of graduation. Mention any coursework even if you don’t plan on finishing the degree. New graduates should also list their GPA on their resumes. If a large amount of time has passed since graduation or the date will leave a gap on your resume, putting your graduation date is at your discretion. You can also add any relevant courses taken as well as honors that you earned, such as summa cum laude, while you attended school. List relevant ongoing professional development courses as well as training and seminars in your field.

How to Format

The format for writing a resume education section is not set in stone; however, follow some guidelines to make the section neat and easy to read. Create a header for the section. It would be best to keep the header concise and to the point by simply writing Education. It is recommended to list your education in reverse order, which places your most recent degree first and subsequent degrees afterward. In other words, if you have a bachelor’s, master’s and a PhD, list the PhD first, followed by the master’s and your bachelor’s. Place the name of the institution first, followed by the location, dates attended and graduation date.

If you accumulated credits from one institution but finished the degree at another institution, only list the school where you received your degree. Use bullet points if you are going to place your GPA and relevant courses to make the information easier to read and allow recruiters to pick up on key information. You also can add relevant internships and campus organizations, but keep the information concise.

Canadian Resume Education Section Example

A great resume education section presents the highest level of education at the top and is consistent with the formatting. While formats vary, consistency is important when writing a resume education section. Below is an example of a Canadian resume education section. Take note that all the components are present, including the name of the institution, the dates attended, date of graduation, degree and relevant courses.