How can you show your commitment to professional development on your resume?

2 Choose the right format

Depending on the type and amount of professional development you have, you can choose different ways to present it on your resume. For example, you can create a separate section for professional development, especially if you have completed formal courses, certifications, or degrees that are relevant to your field. You can also include professional development under your education, skills, or work experience sections, depending on how closely they relate to your qualifications. Alternatively, you can weave professional development into your summary statement or career objective, highlighting how it demonstrates your value proposition and career aspirations.

3 Use keywords and metrics

To make your professional development stand out on your resume, you need to use specific keywords and metrics that match the job description and the industry standards. Keywords are words or phrases that describe the skills, knowledge, or qualifications that employers are looking for. Metrics are numbers or percentages that quantify your achievements or outcomes. For example, instead of saying "completed a course on project management", you can say "earned a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and increased project completion rate by 25%". This way, you can show both your credentials and your results.

4 Be selective and concise

While professional development is important, you don't want to overload your resume with too much or irrelevant information. You need to be selective and concise, focusing on the most recent, relevant, and impressive professional development activities and achievements. You also need to tailor your resume to each job application, emphasizing the professional development that matches the specific needs and goals of the employer. A good rule of thumb is to include only the professional development that you can explain or elaborate on in an interview.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?