Should You List Incomplete or Irrelevant Education on Your Resume? A Comprehensive Guide

When crafting a resume, job seekers are often faced with the decision of whether or not to include education that is either incomplete or unrelated to their current career goals. This is especially challenging for those who have taken a different path from their initial studies. In this blog, we’ll explore whether you should list incomplete or irrelevant education on your resume and provide guidance on how to present it effectively if you choose to include it.

Understanding the Context: Your Career Journey Shapes Your Resume

The original question stems from a personal experience. After studying film and television in Canada during a period when the industry was booming, the writer realized that their film studies wouldn’t necessarily lead to a stable career. Shifting gears, they pursued a diploma in film at a community college, only to leave it incomplete when they were offered a job in the industry during their internship. Unfortunately, the recession hit, and after working in various jobs, including bartending and customer service, they eventually found themselves in the financial technology sector.

With a wealth of experience, the writer is now considering a career as a mortgage broker. However, they are unsure if including their incomplete education and previous, unrelated work experience on their resume would be beneficial or detrimental.

Key Considerations: Does Incomplete Education Add Value?

Before deciding whether to include incomplete or irrelevant education on your resume, it’s important to ask yourself a few key questions:

1. Does the education add value to the role you’re applying for?
   While an incomplete degree or diploma might not seem directly relevant to a new career, there may be transferable skills that can showcase your ability to adapt and learn quickly. For example, film studies may have taught you project management or budgeting, skills that can be useful in many fields.
2. Will leaving it off create a gap in your timeline?
   If excluding the education would leave an unexplained gap in your resume, it might be worth mentioning the education briefly, especially if it explains a period where you were focused on something productive.
3. What is the expectation in your industry?
   Certain industries, such as finance or tech, might place a higher emphasis on formal education, while others might focus more on practical experience. If the role you’re applying for places more value on skills and experience, your incomplete education might not be as important.

When to Include Incomplete or Irrelevant Education on Your Resume

1. If the Education is Directly or Indirectly Relevant to the Job
   Even if you didn’t finish your degree, some of the coursework or skills you learned might still be valuable. For example, if you studied business or communication, those skills could translate into your role as a mortgage broker. If this is the case, list the school and the degree program, but clarify that it’s incomplete or list “coursework toward a [degree].”Example:By presenting it this way, you’re being transparent while still showing that you gained some relevant knowledge and experience from your time in school.
   • XYZ University – Coursework toward a Bachelor’s in Film Studies (2008–2010)
2. If It Explains a Gap in Your Employment History
   Gaps on a resume can be a red flag for some employers. If the education took place during a period where you weren’t working, it might be useful to include it so potential employers know that you were doing something productive during that time.Example:This approach ensures that you’re addressing the gap without drawing unnecessary attention to the fact that the education is incomplete.
   • XYZ College – Pursued coursework in Film Production (2010–2012)
3. If the Education Highlights Transferable Skills
   Even if your degree or diploma isn’t directly related to the job you’re applying for, certain skills from your studies could still be applicable. For example, if you learned about budgeting, project management, or client communication during your studies, these are valuable skills for many industries, including finance.Example:
   • ABC University – Film Studies Coursework (2009–2011)
   • Developed project management skills through film production projects, coordinating large teams and managing budgets.
4. If You Want to Showcase a Commitment to Learning
   Listing incomplete education can still demonstrate that you’ve committed time and effort to learning, even if you didn’t complete the degree. Employers may appreciate seeing that you have experience in a structured learning environment, especially if you’ve supplemented your formal education with additional training, certifications, or on-the-job learning.Example:
   • XYZ University – Pursued coursework in Film Production (2010–2012)
   • Additional professional development in the mortgage industry, including certification in XYZ mortgage software.

When to Exclude Incomplete or Irrelevant Education from Your Resume

1. If It’s Entirely Unrelated to the Job
   If your education has nothing to do with the job you’re applying for, and you have enough relevant work experience, it might be best to leave it off altogether. For example, if your film studies have no bearing on your ability to work as a mortgage broker, and your professional experience is more than sufficient to demonstrate your qualifications, you can safely omit it.Example:
   • If applying for a mortgage broker position, leave off the film studies and instead focus on your experience in the financial technology industry.
2. If the Incomplete Education Doesn’t Add Value
   If you started a degree or diploma program but didn’t get far enough for the coursework or skills to be relevant, it might not be worth mentioning. In this case, your experience in customer service, financial tech, and mortgages is more relevant and should be highlighted instead.
3. If It Could Be Misleading
   It’s important to be honest on your resume. If listing your incomplete education could cause an employer to think you completed a degree that you didn’t, it could create issues down the road. Be clear about the fact that the degree was incomplete, or avoid mentioning it entirely.Example:
   • Instead of: “BA in Film Studies, XYZ University”
   • Use: “Coursework toward a BA in Film Studies, XYZ University (2008–2010)”
4. If You Have Extensive Professional Experience
   At a certain point in your career, your education becomes less important than your work experience. If you’ve been working in the industry for many years and your education is no longer relevant to the job you’re applying for, you can leave it off. Focus instead on your work experience, achievements, and any professional certifications you’ve earned along the way.

How to Highlight the Right Experience on Your Resume

Now that you’ve decided whether or not to include your education, it’s time to focus on the most important aspect of your resume—your experience. When transitioning into a new field, it’s important to highlight transferable skills, such as customer service, project management, and financial analysis, even if they came from unrelated roles.

Key Tips for Highlighting Experience

• Focus on Transferable Skills: Emphasize skills that are relevant to the new role, such as communication, leadership, or analytical skills.
• Use Action Verbs: Words like “managed,” “developed,” “coordinated,” and “led” help demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
• Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use numbers to showcase your success (e.g., “increased customer satisfaction by 20%” or “managed a team of 10”).
• Tailor Your Resume for Each Job: Customize your resume to fit the specific role you’re applying for. This shows that you’ve put thought into how your skills align with the job.

Conclusion: The Bottom Line on Incomplete Education

Deciding whether to include incomplete or irrelevant education on your resume ultimately comes down to relevance and transparency. If the education adds value, explains a gap, or demonstrates transferable skills, it’s worth including in a clear and honest way. However, if it’s unrelated to your current career path and doesn’t contribute to your qualifications, it’s perfectly fine to leave it off.

As you navigate your career change, focus on what’s most important—highlighting your skills, experience, and readiness for the role you’re applying for. With the right approach, your resume can stand out, regardless of whether your education is complete or not.