How to Put Relevant Coursework on Resume? (Tips & Examples)

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 is a good fit for the role. 

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. 

If you are currently a student looking for an internship or a student job, it is beneficial to include relevant courses on your resume. This step is particularly crucial since you may not have enough work experience to display on your resume or CV.

You can improve this circumstance by showing the recruiters or hiring manager 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. 

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 course experience, and you can also highlight your academic achievements. 

But, how do you highlight academic achievements with relevant coursework in resumes?  

It is not enough to make a list 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.

When You Should Include Relevant Courseworks in a Resume

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:

• You are a student.
• You are looking for positions that require relevant courses on a resume.
• You are a recent graduate without work experience.

When You Should NOT Include Relevant Courseworks 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: 

• Experienced professional with over a year’s experience in the workforce. 
• Professions that do not require relevant coursework (e.g., construction workers, cashiers).

Under the resume “Education” section

Add a single-column in the education section. You can display relevant courses by listing relevant coursework below details of your educational qualifications. Using the education section of the resume to show your relevant coursework section in the resume is simple, straightforward, and easy to understand. It is regularly used by students who are still studying, and it gives you more space to add achievements on the resume. 

In a separate “Relevant Coursework” section 

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, a skill that you have developed as a result of taking the relevant coursework.

In an additional line under the “Education” section.

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 it can save a lot of space on your resume.  

Using a single-column format.

If you want to showcase relevant coursework on your resume using bullet points, a single-column format can be useful. In particular, if you consider several courseworks that are in line with the job description.  

Using a multi-column format.

A multi-column format is a long format for relevant courseworks on a resume. This approach is recommended for freshers and student workers. You can elaborate different courses by categorizing them into specific topics. 

Using a detailed format. 

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. 

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💡 Only add courses relevant to the job description.  

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. 

💡 Increase the impact of relevant courses by adding achievements. 

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. 

💡 Use keywords.

Including relevant keywords to the job description can help you pass ATS screening. The ATS scans for specific keywords on your job application, so keywords help pass ATS screening.

If you don’t know which keywords to include, pick two to five job advertisements similar to your desired job title, identify frequently used keywords in these advertisements. Don’t forget to incorporate these keywords when listing our relevant courseworks on your resume!