How to List Awards on a Resume: Guide & Examples (2024)

And the Oscar goes to…

Fine, Oscars are not resume awards. However, if we could give a special golden statue for the perfect job application, properly listing awards on a resume should at least get you nominated. 

There are some simple rules you should follow to know how to list awards on a resume. So let’s find out what they are, and aim to win the main prize in the competition, which lands you the job of your dreams!

In this guide:

• Examples of the best awards to put on a resume for any job.
• Tips on what awards to put on a resume to make them shine.
• How to list awards on your resume to impress recruiters.

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Why Should You Show Off Your Awards on a Resume?

Your resume is how you tell future employers that you’re the perfect match for the position they offer. Highlighting your strengths, skills, achievements, and accomplishments is extremely important. That’s precisely how you distinguish yourself from other candidates. And when it comes to standing out with a resume, nothing can set you ahead of the race better than a good award!

The recruiters don’t spend much time digging into all the resumes that land on their desks. The study says it’s an average of 6 seconds. No wonder why it’s the most relevant and/or impressive thing they look for in every single document. And while your experience can be as great as the next candidate, you can win that duel with an award.

Moreover, awards to put on a resume are also great for entry-level candidates, as they can perfectly prove that you’re a good fit for the company! That’s because not only the ones that are the most relevant for the opening can be listed in your document. Some awards can help you emphasize soft skills on your resume. 

So let’s find out where and how to list awards on a resume!

Pro Tip: If you’ve received a prominent award, it is worth featuring such an achievement in your resume introduction. That way, it will stand out even more!

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How to List Awards on a Resume 

Some awards don’t require further explanation. However, unless you received an Oscar, a Nobel Prize, or any well-known award, you should always try to explain what this award means, who has given it to you, and why you have won it.

To do it properly, every resume award entry should include such details:

• Name of the award
• Year it was given to you
• Who has given it to you
• Why was it given to you

There’s a simple rule of where you place your resume award. It depends on its type. 

• Place your awards in an education section of your resume if they're any sort of academic awards. However, make sure to list them accordingly when you received them. Place each academic award underneath an institution that rewarded you with it.
• Place your awards in an experience section of your resume if they’re company or business awards. List them underneath the company you worked for when you received them. That way, you will make your progress very transparent to the recruiter.
• Create an additional section on your resume for especially valuable awards and other types of recognition. It will highlight your awards strongly and allow you to write a bit more about each of them.

Okay, so what exactly should you write when listing your awards on a resume? Let’s find out and see some examples!

Academic Awards & Scholarships on a Resume

Making the Dean's List will impress the hiring manager. The same goes for graduating cum laude. They both show that you've been an outstanding student. These things can work magic for every entry-level candidate, as they are the perfect way to show your abilities and skills. 

If your educational background is relevant to the job you're applying for, showing the achievements related to your studies is a thing you cannot skip while creating a resume. They not only present to the recruiters that you are qualified, but they are perfect proof of your soft skills. By highlighting your GPA, you say you're hardworking and have great time management skills. Showing a scholarship on a resume proves that you are goal-oriented and devoted. And by listing any fellowships, you basically say that teamwork is definitely one of your top skills.

Academic Awards can be divided into two sections:

• High School Awards, such as:
  • High GPA
  • Excellent Attendance Record
  • Magnificent SAT Results
  • An Election to Student Government
  • Honor Roll
  • Honors Societies
  • The President’s Education Award

• College & Graduate Awards, such as:
• Academic Distinctions
• Scholarships
• College or Departmental Awards
• Dean’s List
• Honor Roll
• Honor Societies
• Grants
• Fellowships
• Graduating Cum Laude

Which one should you choose? That depends on the prestige of each award and your experience. You might list your GPA if you’re an entry-level candidate, but you wouldn’t list it if you’re applying for a management position.

Let’s see an example of some education-related awards on a resume:

Academic Awards on a Resume—Example

Company Awards on a Resume

Great managers know that employee recognition leads to increased productivity. Company awards are a perfect way to prove your strengths on a resume. You send a message to the hiring manager in which you say: I am a valuable employee, AND I have something that can prove it. It’s also how you show that you will take your job responsibilities seriously, just as you’ve done in the past. It's something that will most undoubtedly impress the hiring manager. 

Company awards can include:

• The Employee of the Month
• Top Performer Award
• Leadership Award
• Mentorship Award
• Peer Awards
• Innovation Awards

Let’s see a good example of a company award on a resume:

Examples of Company Awards on a Resume

Industry Awards on a Resume

Sometimes you are appreciated not only within your company but beyond it. Having them proves the expertise and being an authority in your area. And if a recruiter can choose between a fantastic employee and an amazing employee that’s also recognized by the industry… well, you already know which one is getting the job! That's why having these awards listed on your resume is crucial!

The awards, together with company awards, are a perfect way of highlighting your hard skills on a resume. 

The examples depend on the industry, but they can include:

• Best of…
• 30 under 30…
• Professional Association Awards
• Trade Publications
• Top 10… In Your Region

See the example below:

Industry Awards on a Resume: Example

Other Awards on a Resume

This section is perfect not only for an entry-level resume. It's also great if the award you received is relevant to the job you're applying for or if it proves a transferable skill that can be useful for your employer.

What are some of the other awards that can be listed in your resume? Again, it depends on the position you’re applying for. Some of them include:

• Athletic Awards
• Arts Awards
• Civic Awards
• Community Awards
• Cultural Awards
• Volunteer Awards
• Service Awards
• Military Awards and Honors

Take a look at this example:

Examples of Awards on a Resume

And there you are! If we could grant an award for learning everything about awards on a resume, you’d definitely get one!

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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Key Takeaway

To sum things up really quickly, let’s briefly recap what great examples of awards on resumes really mean:

• List your academic and educational awards, your professional and industry awards, and others that can impress the recruiter.
• Place your awards underneath your education section or experience section. You can also create an additional section strictly for your awards.
• Give a detailed view of your awards and tell the reader when you were awarded, who appreciated your work and what accomplishments led to that.

Remember, there is a good reason for having some awards on your resume. They are a perfect way of impressing not only your friends and family but also a recruiter. And having them listed correctly in your resume is how you can turn your award into another win. The one that proves you’re a perfect fit and get the job of your dreams!

Thank you for reading our article! Let’s talk more about YOUR awards in the comment section below!

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