A common question IT job candidates ask our recruiters is what they should list on their resumes. It’s a good question, especially when trying to stay succinct while listing all your skills. But what about the non-degree coursework you’ve taken? Should you even bother listing it? The answer is: It depends.
Does Your Resume Need Non-Degree IT Coursework?
As of 2022, many companies across the United States waived the formal requirement that you must have a BA to get an IT job. For example, around 26% of the jobs posted on the Accenture website at that time required a BA. At IBM, only 29% of their jobs required a traditional four-year degree. Instead, these companies now look at skills over education when hiring candidates. By 2023, only about half of the open remote IT positions require a four-year degree.
That can change things if you’re trying to figure out what to put on your resume. Non-degree IT coursework can hold more weight over credentials because they may illustrate the experience you need to get the job. But how can you know if you should list these non-traditional experiences? Here’s a checklist to help walk you through your decision-making:
- Relevance: Is the coursework relevant to the job you’re applying for? If so, it could illustrate your skills in a particular area that could get you the job. For example, if you’re applying for a cybersecurity role and recently received some certifications, by all means, list it on your resume.
- Timeframe: How recent is the coursework or other non-degree experience? You know how quickly IT changes. It makes sense to list non-degree experiences that are up-to-date and modern. No one cares that you started out learning COBOL in the 80s (unless you’re applying to be a COBOL developer). You should, however, list details that show you are keeping up with the latest trends and developments in the field.
- Reputation: If the class is from a reputable training program or institution, it could impress the job screening committee. It could also demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
- Design Space: The other consideration is related more to how the information looks on your resume. If including non-degree coursework makes your resume too long or cluttered, you also may want to leave it out (particularly if it doesn’t meet the remaining criterion on our list). Do you have the space to add these details?
These factors come into play when considering what to put on or leave off your resume. It’s one of the biggest questions most IT candidates ask our Blackstone Talent Group recruiters. We’re happy to provide advice and support to the IT community. Make the connection with us. Send us your resume for a complimentary review and discuss what’s next in your career.