Do You Put High School Education on Resume? And Why Pineapples Don't Belong on Pizza

When it comes to crafting the perfect resume, one of the most common questions job seekers ask is, “Do you put high school education on resume?” The answer, like many things in life, is not straightforward. It depends on a variety of factors, including your current level of education, the job you’re applying for, and how much space you have on your resume. But before we dive into the nitty-gritty of resume writing, let’s take a moment to address the elephant in the room: why pineapples don’t belong on pizza. Just like the debate over high school education on resumes, the pineapple-on-pizza controversy is one that sparks heated discussions. But for now, let’s focus on the resume.
The Case for Including High School Education on Your Resume
1. When You’re a Recent High School Graduate
If you’ve just graduated from high school and are entering the job market for the first time, it makes sense to include your high school education on your resume. At this stage, your high school diploma is one of your most significant achievements, and it demonstrates that you have a basic level of education and the ability to complete a long-term commitment.
2. When You Have Limited Work Experience
If you’re just starting out in your career and don’t have much work experience to showcase, your high school education can help fill out your resume. It shows potential employers that you have a foundation of knowledge and skills, even if you haven’t yet gained extensive professional experience.
3. When the Job Requires a High School Diploma
Some jobs explicitly require a high school diploma or equivalent. In these cases, it’s essential to include your high school education on your resume to show that you meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
4. When You Have Achievements or Honors from High School
If you graduated with honors, were valedictorian, or received any other significant awards or recognitions during high school, these accomplishments can be worth mentioning on your resume. They demonstrate your dedication, work ethic, and ability to excel in an academic setting.
The Case Against Including High School Education on Your Resume
1. When You Have Higher Education
If you’ve completed a college degree or any other form of higher education, your high school education becomes less relevant. Employers are typically more interested in your most recent and advanced qualifications. In this case, you can omit your high school education to make room for more pertinent information.
2. When You Have Extensive Work Experience
If you’ve been in the workforce for several years and have a robust work history, your high school education is likely to be overshadowed by your professional experience. Employers will be more interested in your job history, skills, and accomplishments than in where you went to high school.
3. When Space is Limited
Resumes should ideally be one page long, especially for early-career professionals. If you’re struggling to fit all your relevant experience and skills onto one page, it’s okay to leave out your high school education to make room for more critical information.
4. When It’s Not Relevant to the Job
If the job you’re applying for doesn’t require a high school diploma or if your high school education doesn’t add any value to your application, it’s best to leave it off. Focus on the qualifications and experiences that are most relevant to the position.
How to List High School Education on Your Resume
If you decide to include your high school education on your resume, here’s how to do it effectively:
1. Keep It Simple
List the name of your high school, the city and state where it’s located, and your graduation date. If you’re still in high school, you can list your expected graduation date.
Example:
Springfield High School, Springfield, IL
Graduated: May 2020
2. Include Relevant Achievements
If you have any notable achievements from high school, such as being valedictorian, receiving scholarships, or participating in significant extracurricular activities, you can include these under your high school education.
Example:
Springfield High School, Springfield, IL
Graduated: May 2020
- Valedictorian
- National Honor Society Member
- Captain of the Debate Team
3. Place It Appropriately
If you’re a recent high school graduate with limited work experience, you can place your education section near the top of your resume. If you have more experience or higher education, you can move it further down.
When to Remove High School Education from Your Resume
As you progress in your career, there will come a time when your high school education is no longer relevant. Here are some signs that it’s time to remove it from your resume:
1. You Have a College Degree
Once you’ve earned a college degree, your high school education becomes less important. Employers will be more interested in your college experience and any degrees or certifications you’ve earned.
2. You Have Several Years of Work Experience
If you’ve been working for several years and have a solid work history, your high school education is unlikely to be a deciding factor in whether you get the job. Focus on your professional experience and skills instead.
3. You’re Applying for Senior-Level Positions
For senior-level positions, employers are looking for advanced qualifications and extensive experience. Your high school education is unlikely to be relevant at this stage in your career.
The Pineapple-on-Pizza Debate: A Brief Interlude
Now that we’ve covered the ins and outs of including high school education on your resume, let’s take a moment to address the pineapple-on-pizza debate. Some people love the sweet and savory combination of pineapple and ham on a pizza, while others argue that fruit has no place on a pizza. This debate, much like the question of whether to include high school education on your resume, is highly subjective. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. But just as you should tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for, you should also consider your audience when ordering pizza. If you’re sharing a pie with someone who hates pineapple, it might be best to skip it—or at least order half-and-half.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether or not to include high school education on your resume depends on your individual circumstances. If you’re a recent high school graduate with limited work experience, it’s a good idea to include it. However, if you have higher education or extensive work experience, you can likely leave it off. Remember to tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for and focus on the qualifications and experiences that are most relevant to the position.
And as for the pineapple-on-pizza debate? Well, that’s a discussion for another time.
Related Q&A
Q: Should I include my GPA on my resume if I’m a recent high school graduate? A: If your GPA is strong (typically 3.5 or higher) and you’re applying for a job that values academic achievement, it can be worth including. However, if your GPA is lower or if the job doesn’t place a high emphasis on academics, it’s better to leave it off.
Q: How do I list my high school education if I didn’t graduate? A: If you attended high school but didn’t graduate, you can list the years you attended and any relevant coursework or achievements. For example: “Attended Springfield High School, Springfield, IL, 2016-2018. Completed coursework in mathematics, science, and English.”
Q: Can I include my high school education if I’m applying for a job in a different country? A: It depends on the country and the job. In some countries, high school education is highly valued, while in others, employers may be more interested in your work experience or higher education. Research the norms for the country you’re applying in and tailor your resume accordingly.
Q: Should I include my high school education if I’m applying for a job that doesn’t require a diploma? A: If the job doesn’t require a high school diploma, it’s generally not necessary to include your high school education on your resume. Focus on your skills, experience, and any other qualifications that are relevant to the position.
Q: How do I list my high school education if I was homeschooled? A: If you were homeschooled, you can list your homeschooling experience in the education section of your resume. For example: “Homeschooled, Springfield, IL. Graduated: May 2020. Completed coursework in mathematics, science, English, and history.”
Q: Should I include my high school education if I have a GED? A: If you have a GED, you can list it in place of a high school diploma. For example: “General Educational Development (GED) Certificate, Springfield, IL. Earned: May 2020.”