Academic and Complementary Education

Relevant data

The education section should be concise and to the point, providing the necessary credibility without taking up excessive space.

The essential data to include are the name of the degree, the school or university, and the start and end dates.

It is a general rule to omit secondary or basic education if a university or higher degree has already been obtained, since it is understood that the previous levels have been passed.

For example, an Architect with a Master's degree in Urban Planning should list his postgraduate and undergraduate degrees, but need not mention the institute where he attended high school, unless it is an exceptionally renowned institution that provides a valuable network of contacts.

The placement of this section can vary: for a recent graduate with no experience, education should go at the beginning; for a senior professional, it should be relegated to the end of the document, as your work experience carries much more weight.

Continuing education

In an ever-changing job market, demonstrating that you are up-to-date is vital.

The inclusion of recent courses, seminars, certifications and non-formal training indicates proactivity and passion for the profession.

However, a filter of relevance and currency should be applied: short courses taken more than a decade ago often lose their value and can give an image of obsolescence if they have not been refreshed.

A marketer who has recently completed a certification in "Predictive Analytics" or a crash course on new advertising platforms should stand out, as it demonstrates adaptation to new technologies.

Even structured self-study, such as completing a series of massive online courses (MOOCs) on a specific subject, can be included to demonstrate the acquisition of new skills, as long as they are relevant to the target position.

Managing training gaps

For junior profiles or those who are in the process of changing careers, the lack of experience can be compensated with a more detailed description of training.

If a relevant study is currently being pursued, it is crucial to indicate this by putting the "expected completion date", to show that the qualification is on track.

If the candidate does not have a lot of work experience, they can break down key subjects from their degree that are directly related to the job they are aiming for, or mention important academic projects, and even the grade point average if this is exceptionally high (such as a Cum Laude or Honorable Mention).

For example, a law student seeking an internship at a corporate law firm might list the "Corporate Law" and "Mergers" subjects in which he or she has excelled, thus making up for a lack of professional experience with evidence of academic competence.

Summary

The educational section should be concise, including degree, school and dates, and omitting basic levels if you have a higher degree. Its placement in the document varies according to the candidate's work experience to optimize relevance.

Including recent continuing education and certifications demonstrates proactivity and constant updating to the market. However, the relevance should be filtered, avoiding old courses that may convey an image of unnecessary professional obsolescence.

For junior or transitioning profiles, detailing key subjects or academic projects helps compensate for the lack of experience. This evidences technical competence and potential, turning training into a strategic asset for hiring.