How to list certification on a resume

[hollow666]

So I know there are about 1000 different opinions on this but I wanted to get some recent feedback on how you should list out your certifications on a IT resume. Should you list only the highest level achieved or should you list out ancillary and lower level certifications as well? I know it can look messy but I feel like I've earned them so why not list them. Should you spell them out or just use acronyms that an HR department might not understand? Also the inevitable debate of should they be at the end or on the front page of the resume? I would be really interested in hearing out what any of you IT hiring managers prefer.

Currently on my recent draft I have the following (looks jumbled here but its tabbed out and spaced nicely on mine)


Certifications:

Microsoft:
• MCSE:M Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Messaging
• MCSE Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer
• MCSA:M Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator: Messaging
• MCSA Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
• MCPT Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
• MCP Microsoft Certified Professional

Cisco:
• CCNA Cisco Certified Network Associate
• CCENT Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician

[darkerosxx]

I suggest only list the ones that apply to the job you're applying for, plus any intermingling technology or vendor certs that apply or can show you have fundamentals for the work you'll be doing.

My other suggestion, which is a matter of personal taste, is to take off the ":" after the vendor.

[BigTex71]

Having MCSA and MCSE both listed on a resume is redundant. If you have an MCSE, you have the MCSA plus the courses for the MCSE. There is no reason to list the MCSA. If you are going to list them both then you might as well add the MCP to it to look like you have even more certs... oh, wait... you already did.

[ChronusMaximus]

Having MCSA and MCSE both listed on a resume is redundant. If you have an MCSE, you have the MCSA plus the courses for the MCSE. There is no reason to list the MCSA. If you are going to list them both then you might as well add the MCP to it to look like you have even more certs... oh, wait... you already did.

I could see a case where you list MCSA and MCSE. I agree that all the courses for MCSA are included in MCSE but one is described as Administrator and one as Engineer which might catch someones eye in HR.

However, the MCP is a little redundant if you already have an MCSA and MCSE. Also, if you have a MCSE/MCSA in messaging there is no reason to put it twice. I would delete the entries that do not include the "Messaging" part.

Also, I am not too familiar with Cisco certs but isn't the CCENT an entry cert you get before CCNA? Like an MCP is to MCSA/MCSE? If so same thing on the CCENT, remove it.

My $0.02, good luck on your job searching!

[rfult001]

Certifications:

Microsoft:
• MCSE:M Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Messaging - Windows Server 2003 ???
• MCTS Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: ????????????? In What? Vista? SQL Server???

Cisco:
• CCNA Cisco Certified Network Associate


I would use the highest certification attained per technology if there were others that had to be obtained along the way. You might also use the exact name of the certification as the vendor lists it.

Just a thought.

[kctxau]

Even though the MCP is automatically part of MCSA/MCSE, there is still the case of the electronic resume scanners that key in on the letters MCP. It does happen, that resumes are overlooked if the exact keyword is not found within the resume/document. Unfortunately, the same is true for some of the HR personnel. Very often, the resume is the one and only opportunity you have to draw interest or attention to yourself.

[NetAdmin2436]

Even though the MCP is automatically part of MCSA/MCSE, there is still the case of the electronic resume scanners that key in on the letters MCP. It does happen, that resumes are overlooked if the exact keyword is not found within the resume/document. Unfortunately, the same is true for some of the HR personnel. Very often, the resume is the one and only opportunity you have to draw interest or attention to yourself.

I completely agree. While it may seam redundant to us who know IT certs, a scanner or human resource person doesn't know the difference with MCP's, MCSA, MCSE, ect... They might require an MCSA and if it's not on your resume, it may get automatically thrown out. You need to beat the computerized system

So my suggestion is to list all certs and spell them out, no matter how redundant you might think it is.

[unsupported]

One of the best things I've done for my resume is not having the big blob of technical information at the bottom of my resume. If I am not able to specifically relate XYZ technology into the body of my resume I leave it off, because how much experience could I actually show with that technology?

Since I've gotten into information security I've been able to whittle down my resume to two pages. I've beefed up my current information security experience and lessened my technical support background. This is, of course after padding my technical support background, because I would have recruiters call me and ask me if I had any technical support experience... uuuhhhhh... they would have bothered noticing that just by my previous job titles...

Anyway, spell out the certifications as well as giving the initials has also helped. Also spell out any industry specific terms. I lost a job opportunity at Oracle because I put OEM, as in original equipment manufacturer. The guy probably thought I was a jerk because he was asking about OEM, Oracle Executive Manager, and all I could talk about was Dell and Gateway. Turns out I became a thing of legends at Oracle, because years after the interview a friend of mine who worked there relayed the OEM story back to me and asked "THAT WAS YOU!?!".

Good luck.

[Psoasman]

I'm feeling generous, so I am going to put .04 cents in the pot. If you bust your butt getting certs, then put 'em on your resume. It would be a shame to miss an opportunity just because a computer or someone who knows nothing about certs passes over.