Degree while working full time: Highlight on resume?

Submitted by Rachelle Thibodeau
in
Career Management
Hello everyone, I'm going into my second revision of my MT resume and could use your help to make the most of my situation. My situation: I've been in the same job for 10 years, with progressively more responsible positions. Colleagues have commented that I should be managing, but that can't happen unless I quit my current job and apply for a new position, due to union issues. So, I'm thinking of moving on. My question: I have been doing grad school part-time and I'm close to finishing. I think it is a fairly big accomplishment to have a demanding job and earn a degree at the same time. Should I highlight this fact on my resume? If so, how can I do it without sounding like a braggart? Thanks for listening!
Submitted by Mark Horstman on Saturday June 9th, 2007 2:49 pm

YES YES YES.

It is not bragging AT ALL. If one must condense one's life's particulars to one page, one is allowed to choose what to say. A PhD is significant.

Even better if it's related to what you're applying for...but great even if not. If it's not, be prepared to defend that you don't want to go do research on that.

Bravo! Mike and I aren't that smart.

Mark

Submitted by Chris Donnachie on Saturday June 9th, 2007 8:33 pm

Congrats on the PhD (forthcoming). Mark is right, this one should be sung from the hilltops. Is shows commitment, hard working, ability to work to a high level even when tired, abilty to learn, and so much more.

Good luck.

Submitted by Brian Flynn on Monday June 11th, 2007 11:51 am

[quote="rthibode"]If so, how can I do it without sounding like a braggart?[/quote]

I have the same question and problem. When I try to write something, it always sounds like I'm arrogant about my own accomplishments.

Does anyone have specific ways to say this that they feel doesn't come across too strongly?

Brian

Submitted by Mark Horstman on Monday June 11th, 2007 1:35 pm

This is a funny argument for me.

YOU think YOU sound like a braggart, and yet I've never met a recruiter who ever said they ever saw a resume that felt that way, unless it was from a completely out of touch individual.

Communication is what the listener does. You are unnecessarily hampering your own success by continuing to indulge your own emotional language, when the right language is (always) that of the recipient - who begs for the accomplishments that you would call bragging.

You write bullets the same every time: action verb, result/quantification, method.

In Texas, we have a saying: it ain't braggin' if'n you dun it.

Cowboy up, boys, and tell us what you've done and how well.

Mark

Submitted by Rachelle Thibodeau on Tuesday June 12th, 2007 10:35 am

Thanks for the encouragement and advice everyone!

I'm afraid I wasn't that clear in my original post. I certainly intend to list my degree (in progress) on my resume. What I'm wondering how to (or whether to) point out that I earned it WHILE working full time. Will be it be obvious from the dates, or do you think I should make a separate entry? If the latter, how?

Thanks again.