Honors Resume Samples

What Do Hiring Managers Look for in an Honors Section on a Resume?

• Evidence of exceptional academic or professional achievements that set you apart from other candidates.
• Awards or recognitions that demonstrate your dedication, leadership, or excellence in your field.
• Relevance of the honors to the position or industry you’re applying for.
• Specificity and credibility of the achievements, such as recognized titles or organizations granting the honors.
• A concise, organized presentation that highlights your accomplishments without overwhelming the resume.

How to Add an Honors Section to Your Resume?

To include an honors section effectively, follow these steps:

• Create a dedicated section labeled “Honors and Awards” or "Achievements" if you have multiple relevant accolades.
• List honors in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent or prestigious awards.
• Provide the name of the award, the granting organization, and the date received.
• Optionally, include a brief description if the honor is not self-explanatory or particularly notable.
• Ensure the section aligns with the overall design and structure of your resume.

Examples of an Honors Section

Example 1: Academic Honors

Honors and Awards

• National Merit Scholar, National Merit Scholarship Corporation – 2023
• Dean’s List, University of California, Berkeley – Fall 2021, Spring 2022
• Outstanding Thesis Award, Department of Sociology, UC Berkeley – 2022

Example 2: Professional Honors

Honors and Awards

• Employee of the Month, XYZ Corporation – March 2023
• Excellence in Leadership Award, Project Management Institute – 2021
• Best Innovation in Marketing, American Marketing Association – 2020

Example 3: Mixed Honors

Honors and Awards

• Volunteer Excellence Award, Habitat for Humanity – 2023
• Gold Medalist, National Science Olympiad – 2022
• Cum Laude, Harvard University – 2021
• Best Team Player, ABC Sales Corporation – 2020

Placement of the Honors Section on a Resume

• Recent Graduates or Entry-Level Candidates: Place the Honors section near the top of your resume, typically after education, to emphasize academic achievements.
• Experienced Professionals: Position the Honors section lower on your resume, after professional experience and skills, unless the awards are directly relevant to the job.

Tips for Including Honors on a Resume

• Be Selective: Only list honors that are relevant to the role or significant enough to add value.
• Use Proper Names: Include the full name of the award or recognition and avoid acronyms unless well-known (e.g., “Phi Beta Kappa”).
• Quantify When Possible: If the award is competitive, mention the level of recognition, such as “Top 5% of the graduating class.”
• Stay Concise: Avoid overloading the section with less meaningful honors; focus on quality over quantity.

Additional Resources

• For more tips, explore resume templates or browse resume examples with strong Honors sections at resume examples.