Certifications and credentials are effective ways to add value to your resume. Whether you’ve completed an online course or a career training program, these flexible learning opportunities equip you with new ways to demonstrate relevant, up-to-date skills outside of traditional degree programs.
As skill-based hiring increases, employers are placing greater emphasis on demonstrated competencies. In fact, a City Square Associates survey found that 91 percent of participants gained immediately applicable skills and 66 percent enhanced their qualifications for a new job after completing a Harvard Business School Online course.
For professionals, credentials and certificates can help bridge experience gaps, support industry transitions, and signal career readiness. For employers, they offer insight into a candidate’s initiative and ability to build expertise in high-demand areas, such as generative AI and digital innovation.
The key is knowing how to list certifications and credentials on your resume, so they communicate your value clearly and effectively.
Where to List Certifications and Credentials on Your Resume
As you update your resume, consider how each certification and credential supports the role you’re pursuing. Placement should reflect relevance and level of rigor.
- Option 1: Next to Your Name—Use post-nominal letters (e.g., John Doe, MBA) for formal, widely recognized qualifications, especially those required for the role or strongly preferred by the employer. Post-nominal letters are typically reserved for academic degrees, professional licenses, and board certifications. This placement signals authority at a glance and should be used sparingly.
- Option 2: The Professional Summary—A summary at the top of your resume is an optimal place to reference training that strengthens your candidacy. Emphasize the skills gained rather than simply naming the program.
- Option 3: A Dedicated “Certifications” or “Professional Development” Section—This is the most common approach, and typically the best location for online certificate courses and continuing education programs.
- Option 4: The Education Section—The best option for recent graduates or credentials that establish foundational knowledge.
Regardless of placement, include only certifications and credentials that align with your career goals. Irrelevant entries will take up valuable space and dilute impact.
What to Include When Listing Certifications or Credentials
1. Full Name of the Certification
Always write out the full name of the credential or certification first, followed by the acronym in parentheses if it’s commonly recognized. For example: Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Including both versions helps applicant tracking systems (ATS), software that many employers use to scan resumes for relevant keywords and increase the likelihood your application reaches a hiring manager.
2. Issuing Organization
Clearly identify the governing body or institution that granted the qualification, such as an online course provider, board, professional association, or university.
Naming the issuing organization establishes credibility and helps hiring managers assess the program’s authority.
3. Date Earned (and Expiration Date, If Applicable)
Include the month and year of completion. If the certification has an expiration date, include it to demonstrate your training is current.
As a rule, refrain from listing outdated or invalid training on your resume. Adding an expired qualification may reflect poorly on your attention to detail and could be perceived by employers as disingenuous.
4. Relevant Skills
If the program’s title doesn’t directly indicate what you learned, add a concise description of the knowledge or experience gained.
For example, learners who’ve completed HBS Online’s Credential of Digital Innovation and Strategy might briefly note skills in digital transformation, AI strategy development, design thinking, data-informed leadership, and digital marketing strategy. Highlighting applied components, such as a capstone project or collaborative team activities, can further demonstrate practical experience.
This section is also where you should incorporate any keywords from the job description. The more you align with the role, the easier it is for the ATS and hiring manager to recognize you’re qualified for the position.
5. Digital Badge Link or Credential ID
For modern resumes, including a “Verify Credential” hyperlink or URL to a Credential ID is standard practice. It allows recruiters to quickly confirm your expertise and spend more time evaluating your broader qualifications.
Many learning providers also allow you to easily post your achievement on LinkedIn upon completion. Adding it under “Education” using the institution’s recommended language ensures consistency across platforms and reinforces your commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and transparency.
Online Courses vs. Professional Certifications
It’s important to distinguish online courses and certificates from professional certifications and licenses. Some professional certifications are governed by external standards, often require proctored exams or ongoing renewal, and may be legally required to perform a role. Online courses and certificate programs, by contrast, are designed to demonstrate skill development and applied learning rather than professional licensure.
At HBS Online, learners can earn different types of certificates and credentials. Individual courses award a Certificate of Completion, while multi-course programs award a credential, including the:
HBS Online also offers Learning Tracks, where participants can deepen their expertise by completing three courses within 18 months in a focused subject area to earn a Certificate of Specialization.
All of these can easily be verified and added to LinkedIn. Here are two examples of how they should appear on a resume:
Example 1
Harvard Business School Online
Certificate in [Course Name]
[Start Month and Year]
Example 2
Harvard Business School Online
Credential of Leadership, Impact, and Management in Business
Successfully completed Dynamic Teaming, Leading in the Digital World, Personal Branding, [and List Four Long Courses Taken]
[Completion Year]
Use Credentials to Tell Your Career Story
In a skills-driven job market, certifications and credentials can play an important role in career growth, whether you’re deepening existing expertise or changing directions entirely. Online certificate programs offer accessible ways to build and demonstrate skills, particularly when traditional work experience doesn’t always fully reflect your capabilities.
Your certifications section should evolve with your career. Regularly update it to reflect new learning—removing outdated entries and aligning credentials with your current goals. When credentials are positioned thoughtfully and tied to clearly articulated skills, they signal adaptability, momentum, and readiness for what’s next.
Are you interested in adding HBS Online to your resume? Explore our catalog of online courses, and learn how you can sharpen your skills to stand out in the job market. Check out our other career development content for helpful tips for your next job search and download our free guide to online learning.
