One of the most effective ways to showcase your talents and accomplishments is through strategically highlighting awards on your resume.

Whether you've been recognized for academic excellence, outstanding professional achievements, or contributions to your community, each trophy tells a compelling story about your skills, dedication, and potential as a specialist.

This article explores what awards to put on a resume, how to effectively showcase them, and the impact they can have on your career prospects.

Types of awards for resume

Academic awards

These awards in your resume indicate your ability to excel in your studies, strong work ethic, and dedication to achieving high standards in a structured environment.

Examples of academic awards for resume:

  • Dean's List. Awarded for maintaining a GPA of 3.75 or higher each semester.
  • Summa cum Laude. Graduated with highest honors, maintaining a GPA of 3.9 or above.
  • Phi Beta Kappa. Inducted into this prestigious honor society for liberal arts and sciences.
  • Valedictorian. Recognized as the top student in the graduating class.

Scholarships awards for resume

Scholarships received for academic excellence, leadership, or other achievements highlight your scholarly or extracurricular accomplishments and ability to compete successfully for funding.

Examples of scholarships resume awards:

  • Fulbright Scholarship. Offers grants for research, study, and teaching opportunities in over 140 countries.
  • Rhodes. Prestigious scholarship for studying at the University of Oxford.
  • Gates Millennium Scholars Program. Provided to outstanding minority students with significant financial need.
  • National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported STEM disciplines.
  • Marshall Scholarship. Awarded to American students for graduate study in the UK.
  • Truman Scholarship. Given to students demonstrating leadership potential and a commitment to public service.

Professional awards to put on resume

Awards received in the workplace showcase your professional competence, leadership qualities, teamwork, and ability to deliver exceptional results in your role.

Examples of professional awards for resume:

  • Employee of the Month. Recognized for exceptional performance and dedication.
  • Top sales Performer. Awarded for achieving the highest sales figures in a quarter.
  • Excellence in Customer Service. Given for outstanding service and support to customers.
  • Leadership Award. Awarded for exemplary leadership and team management skills.
  • Innovation Award. Recognized for contributing innovative ideas that improved company processes.
  • Rookie of the Year. Awarded to the most outstanding new employee.

Certifications and licenses

Certifications relevant to your field demonstrate your specialized skills, knowledge, and dedication to professional development. They validate your expertise in specific areas, show your commitment to staying current, and can enhance your credibility among employers.

Example:

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA). License to practice as a public accountant.
  • Project Management Professional (PMP). Certification for project management professionals.
  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). Certification for information security professionals.
  • Licensed Professional Engineer (PE). License to practice as a professional engineer.
  • Six Sigma Black Belt. Certification in Six Sigma methodology and practices.
  • Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE). Certification for IT professionals.
  • Certified ScrumMaster (CSM). Certification for Scrum practitioners.
  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). License for nursing assistants.

Community service awards to put on resume

Awards for volunteering showcase your altruism, commitment to social responsibility, and contribution to the community beyond your immediate professional or academic environment.

Example:

  • President's Volunteer Service Award. Recognized for volunteer service and commitment to a community.
  • Community Impact. Awarded for significant positive impact.
  • Service Above Self. Given by Rotary clubs for exemplary social service.
  • Youth Service. Recognized for young individuals making a difference in their community.

Research or innovation awards for resume

These awards on your resume highlight your creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to potentially collaborate with others to achieve groundbreaking results in your field.

Example:

  • Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Awarded for outstanding contributions to chemistry.
  • Lasker Award. Awarded for major contributions to medical science.
  • IEEE John von Neumann Medal. Recognized for contributions to computer-related science and technology.
  • Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences. Awarded for advancements in life sciences research.
  • National Medal of Science. Given for contributions to science and engineering.
  • MacArthur Fellowship. Awarded for exceptional creativity and potential in any field.
  • Google AI Impact Challenge. Recognized for innovative use of AI to address social challenges.
  • MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35. Awarded to young innovators making a significant impact in technology.

What awards to put on a resume?

With numerous accolades to choose from, selecting the most impactful ones can be a daunting task. It requires accessing criteria such as relevance, prestige, and recency.

1. Relevance to the job

When selecting awards to put on your resume, focus on those that directly relate to the skills and experiences listed in the job description. This ensures that the recognitions you highlight will be seen as relevant and valuable by potential employers.

Example: If you're applying for a marketing position, including awards like "Best Marketing Campaign 2022" or "Top Salesperson of the Year" shows your expertise and success in this particular field, making you a more attractive candidate.

2. Prestige and recognition

Prioritize widely recognized and respected within your industry or professional field awards in your resume. These accolades carry more weight because they are known and valued by employers and peers.

Example: An "Employee of the Year" award from a renowned company or a prestigious award like a "Fulbright Scholarship" demonstrates significant achievement and recognition by respected institutions. This can enhance your credibility.

3. Quantifiable achievements

Whenever possible, include resume awards that can be supported with quantifiable results or specific accomplishments. This provides concrete evidence of your achievements and the value you bring to an organization.

Example: "Top Sales Leader 2022: Increased sales by 30% over the previous year" clearly demonstrates your ability to drive significant business results.

4. Recent awards

Highlighting awards you received in the last 5-10 years shows that your skills and achievements are current. This is especially important in fast-evolving fields where recent accomplishments are more indicative of your up-to-date knowledge and capabilities.

Example: A "2023 Excellence in Innovation Award" is more impressive than an award from 15 years ago because it shows that you are still actively achieving high standards in your work.

5. Diversity of awards

Including a variety of awards that highlight different skills and strengths can demonstrate your versatility and well-rounded abilities. This can make you a more attractive candidate by showing that you excel in multiple areas relevant to the job.

Example: Combining "Best Team Player Award" with "Outstanding Project Leadership Award" showcases your strengths in both teamwork and leadership. This indicates that you are capable of contributing to and leading projects effectively.

6. Professional vs. personal

Focus on professional honors that are directly related to your career achievements and the job you're applying for. Avoid including personal or unrelated awards that do not add value to your professional profile.

Example: Include a "Certified Project Manager of the Year" award because it is directly relevant to professional skills and qualifications. Omit unrelated personal achievements like "Best Amateur Chef", as they do not contribute to your professional image in most job contexts.

Where to put awards on your resume?

Strategic placement of honors within a resume is crucial to ensure they have the maximum impact. Below are some effective ways to position resume awards.

Dedicated section

If you have multiple significant awards, it's best to add a separate resume section near the bottom or side of the page, depending on the overall structure. This approach makes your honors stand out, providing a clear and immediate reference for employers.

Title this section as "Awards and Honors" or simply "Awards." List each accolade with the title, issuing organization, and date.

Resume awards section example:

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Job experience

If the award is directly related to the specific job responsibilities or achievements, you can mention it using bullet points. This method contextualizes your accomplishments, demonstrating your excellence in a particular role.

Example:

  • Professional Experience

    Senior Marketing Manager

    TechSolutions Inc., New York, NY

    May 2020 - Present

    • Lead a team of 12 marketing specialists in executing campaigns that drove a 25% increase in annual revenue.
    • Spearhead the launch of a new digital marketing strategy, resulting in a 40% boost in online sales.
    • Awarded Employee of the Year (2023) for exceptional leadership and strategic direction, contributing to significant departmental efficiency improvements and revenue growth.

Education section

This placement is ideal for academic awards, scholarships, and latin honors emphasizing your educational achievements.

It helps potential employers or academic institutions understand your strengths and accomplishments beyond just your coursework.

Example:

Bachelor of Computer Science

University of TechCity, New York, NY

Graduated: May 2023

  • Dean's List for all semesters
  • Relevant coursework: Algorithms, Database Management, Software Engineering
  • Received the Academic Excellence Award for the highest GPA in Computer Science

The summary overall reflects the teacher's experience, dedication, and a key accomplishment, providing a strong introduction to their qualifications.

Summary or objective statement

Including awards in your resume summary or objective can quickly highlight your accomplishments, showcase your skills and recognition, and immediately grab the attention.

Example:

  • Passionate and results-oriented elementary school teacher with 10+ years of experience fostering a dynamic classroom environment. Honored with the "Innovative Educator of the Year" award for implementing a student-centered approach to literacy. It improved reading levels by 30% among 3rd-grade students.

Resume with awards examples

Resume with awards example
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Resume with awards example
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Resume with awards example
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FAQ

What if I have won multiple trophies?
List the most relevant or prestigious awards first, or group similar awards under subheadings if space permits.
Can I include honors that I received as part of a team?
Yes, specify your role or contribution to the project if applicable, to demonstrate your individual impact.
What if I have won the same award multiple times?
List each instance separately if space allows, or specify the number of times received if listing multiple awards would be repetitive.
Should I include prizes from competitions?
Yes, especially if the competition or contest is relevant to your field or demonstrates a specific skill set.
Can awards help compensate for lack of experience?
While awards can enhance your resume, they should complement rather than substitute for relevant experience and skills.

Conclusion

Your resume serves as a powerful tool to differentiate yourself from other candidates. By strategically including awards on your resume, you not only validate your capabilities but also demonstrate your potential contributions to prospective employers.

Various honors can enhance your professional credibility and demonstrate your commitment to excellence, making a compelling case for why you are the ideal candidate for their team.