Classes I Am Currently Taking in Relevant Coursework?
I'm starting to take some major-specific classes and I was wondering if I could put them under relevant coursework on my resume even though I haven't completed them yet. Can I just put currently enrolled in parenthesis next to it or something?
Thanks.
Current Relevant Coursework on Resume
Generally speaking, there is no problem with putting current coursework on your resume. In the end it means very little but can raise the bar for your technical questions somewhat. If you are very comfortable talking about all the relevant coursework on your resume there is no issue. That being said, unless your major is non-finance related - relevant coursework does not really impact your application. Our users shared their thoughts below.
User @farmerbob", an investment banking analyst, shared how best to list ongoing course work:
I've seen it where people have put the date of the class next to it to show that it is being taken or about to be taken. For example under relevant coursework it will say, "Securities Analysis (S'12)" To designate that the class will be taken in the spring semester, same with F for fall or something else along those lines.
User @nycIBD" explained that it is fine to list as long as you're prepared for harder technicals.
Throw it on there but know that it raises the standard for your technicals. If you’re comfortable with that - there is benefit.
User @rothyman", a hedge fund analyst, shared that it is not wise to put any relevant course work on your resume:
A little warning here... I always used to put relevant coursework on my resume up until about a month ago. It was all good until a hard-nosed interviewer really drilled me with questions about a few of my advanced classes (international finance & international banking).I think it's pointless to put relevant coursework on your resume and just opens you up to scrutiny. IMO, I would leave it off and just list your major. No one is going to give you a job because of your relevant coursework. Then again, they could easily drop you if you come across as clueless/lying about your coursework.
If you are still interested in listing relevant coursework on your resume - you can see an example of how to do so below.
Read More About Relevant Coursework on WSO
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Just list them, and make sure you're either first to bring up that fact (as casually as possible) in an interview or else be prepared to see them up the level of technicals a bit based on what you reference on paper.
I did it that way, and steered my interviews accordingly.
^^^^^^^What he said.
I've seen it where people have put the date of the class next to it to show that it is being taken or about to be taken. For example under relevant coursework it will say, "Securities Analysis (S'12)" To designate that the class will be taken in the spring semester, same with F for fall or something else along those lines.
Thanks guys this is all good.
list them but its fair game if an interviewer decides to bring up something from that course even if you didnt complete it, obviously lol.
To be honest, no one cares about relevant coursework.
A little warning here.. I always used to put relevant coursework on my resume up until about a month ago. Mind you, I haven't taken these classes in nearly 3 years. It was all good until a hard nosed interviewer really drilled me with questions about a few of my advanced classes (international finance & international banking).
It was then I realized that the only good reason to put relevant coursework on your resume was to be unsuspectingly drilled with questions that you're not ready for.
I think it's pointless and just opens you up to scrutiny. IMO, I would leave it off and just list your major. No one is going to give you a job because of your relevant coursework. Then again, they could easily drop you if you come across as clueless/lying about your coursework.
Listing relevant coursework is mostly useful for people who have non-traditional majors.
Why would you still list relevant coursework after three years of full-time work anyway? I would think you would take it off to make room for actual details
Would you put a class you are currently taking under 'relevant courses' on your resume? (Originally Posted: 11/12/2010)
Next semester I will be taking a class called advanced corporate finance...is it ok to have it under relevant courses on my resume?
Yes, it should be fine. Did you you take a normal corporate finance course so that you can at least answer some simple valuation questions when they come up?
Only if you can answer some basic questions in the subject. Your interviewer won't remember the really advanced stuff if it's a class that's not work-related (i.e. multivariable calc), and if it IS work-related they're unlikely to grill you on things that they don't know for a fact you've learned. So like Gekko said, it's fine if you know the basics.
any other opinions?
yeah throw it on there but know that it raises the standard for your technicals. if youre comfortable with that - there is benefit.
Relevant coursework - include upcoming classes in the spring? (Originally Posted: 12/28/2011)
Under the "relevant courses" section, can/should I include classes that I will be taking this upcoming semester? I'm currently a freshman, so with just one semester down, I don't have too many relevant courses. I will, however, be taking several in the spring.
I'd advise against it. Means they may expect you to know material typically covered by the courses you mention, i.e. you open yourself up to more potential technicals.
The "Relevant Courses" Section (Originally Posted: 07/14/2012)
If you're applying for an internship in the middle of a semester, should you put that semester's courses on your resume, even though you didn't finish the class yet? So far on my resume, I've only listed courses that I have completed.
i can't even imagine this being important in any way shape or form to anyone who does anything ever in the history of things
No one cares. For the record, though, I put current semester classes on my resume all the time. If they bring it up I just mention that I'm currently enrolled in the class and it's a good segue into talking about class and personal projects, etc.
I would have to say that it is not a big deal either way. However, by chance if an interviewer would ask you about a course that you happen to be taking that semester, you should be able to articulate ideas from it and generally have a good idea of what you are doing. Bottom line is that its all chance, in that the interviewer could or could not ask you just about anything. I think the best solution is to be completely prepared.
put it
Relevant Coursework on Resume (Originally Posted: 08/16/2011)
Ok, so some firms hire in september, and some firms hire in january for their summer analyst positions.
My questions is, should I include Finance I and Finance II on september resume if I take Finance I in fall and Finance II in winter? I will have technically completed neither courses but by summer, I will have completed both.
Thanks.
And what happens if they decide to ask you technical questions you haven't learned in Finance I? Unlikely, but just saying... Classes won't make or break you. GPA and some kind of experience for internships.
Is it just me, or it is silly to put courses when they are implied by the major? It only seems relevant if someone has a major and they are including, say, coursework relevant to a job that is not part of that major.
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