The GED, or General Educational Development, is a high school equivalency test that measures the knowledge and skills of individuals who did not graduate from high school. Obtaining a GED diploma is a significant accomplishment and can open up many opportunities for individuals in their education and career.
When it comes to job searching, including your GED on your resume can be an important step in showcasing your educational background and qualifications to potential employers. However, many people may not know how to effectively include their GED on their resume. In this article, we will discuss how to put GED on your resume, highlighting GED accomplishments and skills, addressing gaps in education, and tips for successfully including GED on your resume.
How to List the GED on a Resume
When listing your GED on your resume, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Here is an example of how to list your GED on your resume:
- Education:
- GED Diploma
- [Name of Testing Center], [City], [State], [Date of Completion]
You can list your GED under the “Education” section of your resume, along with any other degrees or certifications you have earned. It’s important to include the name of the testing center, city, state, and date of completion.
It’s also a good idea to list any relevant coursework or subjects you studied as part of your GED program, as this can help demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers.
Additionally, if you passed the GED test with a high score, you can include that information as well, for example:
- Education:
- GED Diploma
- [Name of Testing Center], [City], [State], [Date of Completion], [Passed with Honors]
In summary, when listing your GED on your resume, you should include the name of the testing center, city, state, date of completion and if you passed with any honors. It’s also important to include any relevant coursework or subjects you studied, to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers.
Highlighting GED Accomplishments and Skills
Obtaining a GED diploma is a significant accomplishment, and it’s important to highlight your achievements and skills when including your GED on your resume. Here are a few ways to do this:
- Emphasize transferable skills: GED programs often include a wide range of subjects, such as math, science, social studies, and language arts. Focus on the skills you acquired from studying these subjects, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and written and verbal communication.
- Include relevant coursework: If you studied specific subjects or courses that are relevant to the job you’re applying for, be sure to mention them on your resume. This can help demonstrate to potential employers that you have the knowledge and skills required for the job.
- Highlight achievements: If you passed the GED test with honors or completed the program in a shorter period of time, include this information on your resume. It can demonstrate your dedication and hard work.
- Use action words: Use powerful action words, such as “achieved,” “completed,” “passed,” and “earned” to describe your GED accomplishment.
By emphasizing transferable skills, including relevant coursework, highlighting achievements, and using action words, you can showcase the value of your GED diploma and demonstrate your qualifications to potential employers.
How to Address Gaps in Education on a Resume
If you have gaps in your education, it can be challenging to know how to address them on your resume. Here are a few tips for addressing gaps in education when including your GED on your resume:
- Be honest: Be honest about the reason for the gap in your education. If you left school to take care of a family member or for personal reasons, it’s better to be upfront about it rather than trying to hide it.
- Emphasize what you did during the gap: If you took classes, earned a certification, or gained work experience during the gap in your education, be sure to mention it on your resume. This can help demonstrate that you were still actively working towards your goals during that time.
- Highlight skills and achievements: If you have any relevant skills or achievements that you gained during the gap in your education, be sure to highlight them on your resume. This can help demonstrate the value you can bring to a potential employer.
- Focus on the present and future: Instead of dwelling on the past, focus on the present and future. Emphasize what you have to offer now and how you can contribute to a potential employer’s success.
Conclusion and Additional Resources
Including your GED on your resume is an important step in showcasing your educational background and qualifications to potential employers. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can effectively list your GED, highlight your accomplishments and skills, address gaps in education, and present your qualifications in the best light possible.
It’s also important to remember that your resume is just one part of the job search process. To increase your chances of success, be sure to also focus on networking, building your personal brand, and honing your interviewing skills.
If you’re still unsure about how to include your GED on your resume, there are many resources available to help. The American Council on Education (ACE) provides information on the GED and its uses, and the GED Testing Service provides resources for test-takers, including sample resumes. Additionally, many career centers and job search websites offer resume-building resources and templates that can help you to create a professional and effective resume.
