Relevant Courses
OPTIONAL SECTION
RELEVANT COURSES
Another heading that is often useful to include is a relevant courses subsection. This can be included as a SUBSECTION within the education section of a C.V or resume, (as we discussed in the education section), or, it can be included as an OPTIONAL SUBSECTION within the overall layout of the C.V or resume itself, which we will discuss here. Whichever option you choose, adding a relevant courses section can be invaluable when tailoring a C.V or resume to specific types of roles or industries. You can create a relevant courses section for any high school, college, or university education listing. Just list the most relevant courses you’ve taken and give a brief overview of the skills and experience you’ve gained from each. You can also do this for any other qualificational or certificational heading you’ve included in the education section too (where that qualification or certification has required you to take different types of classes or courses to obtain it!)
Note
While placing relevant courses as a subheading within your education section is used by many as the default option, there can be several instances where it may be more effective to list any relevant courses under a separate heading in a dedicated relevant courses section instead. For instance, you can employ this tactic if you want to avoid overcrowding in the education section itself. It may also be advantageous for you to consider doing so if you have completed additional learning (e.g., online courses, workshops, or professional development programs) outside of a formal college or university education, as a “Relevant Courses” section will sometimes be the most effective way to draw additional emphasis to this. You can also use a relevant courses section if you have completed specialized training or certifications (e.g., digital marketing, project management, data analytics) that isn’t part of a formal degree program. While these can be placed in a dedicated qualificational/ certifications section, placing them in a relevant courses section, (or sometimes listing them in both areas), can be the most effective way to convince employers that you have the type of education and qualifications they need
Another benefit of the relevant courses section comes in a situation where you may have completed courses or qualifications that have no overall relevance to the role you are applying for, but where some of the classes you’ve taken within those courses do, and you can elect to list these in a dedicated relevant courses section to highlight their relevance…
Overall, adding a relevant courses section can be a highly valuable tool, giving you an effective means of tailoring the education and qualifications you possess to specific types of roles and industries
Where should I include a Relevant Courses section on a C.V or Resume?
Contact Details
Profile statement – Career statement, personal statement, or resume objective
Employment History
Education
OPTIONAL SECTION – You can include a Relevant courses section here
Skills