should i put thesis on resume

How to Put Your Thesis on a Resume

In This Guide:

When it's appropriate to feature your thesis in a resume

A template and example on how to feature a thesis on your resume

Tips to list your thesis on your resume.

A thesis is a statement that explains the general point of a project. Typically, this statement gives the reader a clear idea of the primary points so they can have more context when working through the information to follow. It may also offer a definitive hypothesis, statement, or personal perspective.

The thesis also refers to an academic project that a doctoral candidate completes in pursuit of their professional qualification. We’ll focus on that usage today, looking at how to add this project to a resume.

In this article, you’ll learn

• When it’s appropriate to add a thesis to a resume
• Tips on adding your thesis to a resume
• Key takeaways

When it's appropriate to feature your thesis in a resume

Here are a few instances when you should add your thesis to your resume.

When applying for another degree

Thesis work looks good when you’re applying for other programs. It shows that you’re familiar with academic coursework and have completed significant challenges in your field.

When it’s relevant to the position

A thesis shows that you’ve earned specialized knowledge. When that knowledge pertains to a certain position, the employer must know that. Even if the relevance is a slight stretch, it’s still worth citing on your resume.

When you want to show transferable skills

Gaining a thesis requires refined skills. Those skills are likely transferable . Isolate those skills and think of ways they could apply to your intended position. If the skills relate directly, that’s a great reason to add the thesis to your resume.

Let’s see how you could add your thesis to a resume . It might be challenging to figure out where you should add the information. The following examples should give you some perspective.

Example of a thesis on a resume

Here’s an example of how to cite your thesis under “relevant experience.”

Doctoral Thesis

March 2019 - january 2020.

Produced an accepted thesis on the function of microorganisms in the onset of heart disease. Worked closely with University faculty to achieve insights that have since saved lives. Utilized intense research, communication, and organizational skills to complete the project.

A few concise sentences about impact, structure, and the effort required will help display the work you’ve done.

A thesis on resume template

You could cite your thesis in numerous places in your resume. However, it’s smart to find one place and stick to it.

In a template , you might find space for your thesis under “work experience,” “professional experiences,” “education,” or somewhere in an introduction.

Here are a few things you could note in your description of the thesis.

Make sure to mention your GPA

Your GPA holds a lot of weight. Noting that you could finish a thesis and maintain a solid GPA is smart. You can also note any grading that came from your thesis work, specifically.

List relevant research projects

Cite particular research projects that occurred within your thesis work. These will all highlight different skills or unique knowledge that you have.

A key thing to remember is that you can apply skills gained while earning your thesis. You can also use your thesis in numerous areas of the resume.

Understanding how to add a thesis to your resume intelligently can help you stand out and utilize the skills you gained through your doctoral process.

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Should applicants mention any dissertation or thesis in their CV?

I'm thinking to include my degree dissertations in my CV. I gather that this isn't the norm here in the UK, but they do seem somewhat relevant and seeing as I don't have much experience yet, it looks like a good way to beef up the resume a bit. Another answer suggests mentioning the dissertation as an example of a project that you've worked on, but not on the resume itself.

For example:

BSc in Computer Science 1981 - 1984 University of Oceania Dissertation: Efficient methods for republishing the Newspeak Dictionary

Have you ever done this as an applicant, or come across it as an employer?

• interviewing
• qualification

• 1 This question appears to be off-topic because it is about reviewing your personal Resume/CV. This is off topic. –  IDrinkandIKnowThings Commented Nov 14, 2013 at 18:17
• 6 @Chad I have not attended the University of Oceania, nor have I ever written a paper for the Ministry of Truth . –  rath Commented Nov 14, 2013 at 18:47
• 2 I mentioned my thesis on my CV, and that's the reason I now have my dream job, continuing that line of research. –  mhwombat Commented Jun 25, 2014 at 23:48

2 Answers 2

I have never done this as an applicant, but I have seen it a few times as a hiring manager reviewing resumes.

If the dissertation is directly relevant to the job at hand, I have found it interesting, and have followed up with the candidate during the interview. At the time, I just discussed it with the candidate, and didn't actually read the dissertation.

If the dissertation is not directly relevant to the job at hand, then I just considered it clutter.

My feeling has always been that one should include only items which they feel are relevant to the job on their CV/Resume. (If "Republishing the Newspeak Dictionary" is something that could happen in the job for which you are applying, then it's directly relevant.)

If irrelevant items are included, I tend to wonder why, and mentally "take off points" from my rating. I know people are rightly proud of their accomplishments and want to share them widely, but I don't believe a resume is the proper place for that.

I feel the same way about things like Hobbies, Outside Interests, etc. If they are directly relevant and will help you get that job, include them. If not, leave them off.

• 3 I pretty much agree with Joe S. on this issue, but I would never consider a line about your dissertation to be 'clutter'. That may be because when I interview people I'm looking for their capability to grow an adapt to change. So I'm not bothered if the disseration is not directly related to today's job opening. Someone else may just be looking for the peg that exactly fits today's hole and not want to know anything beyond that. Big companies are often looking for perfectly formed pegs. –  Jim In Texas Commented Nov 14, 2013 at 19:06
• Unless you're applying for academic positions, a few jobs after graduation, it is probably clutter. –  user8365 Commented Nov 14, 2013 at 19:10
• 2 @JeffO but for a masters/phd the thesis is the major part of the work involved in a degree why would you not put the subject of your thesis. –  Neuromancer Commented Nov 14, 2013 at 19:35

If you are at a standing start as a post-grad and creating a thesis and doing the research to support it, you are carrying out a process that looks suspiciously like system design and requirements gathering for a software project. These are nearly identical processes, up to the point where you have to 'make things work' - typos might get past your advisor, but software tolerance for that is zero.

I sent a job application to a research institution in the late 1990s, they sent back a form asking me to list every submission I've had published in an academic journal. In some roles, such work is a baseline employment requirement.

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University of Missouri

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Undergraduate Research

How to put research on your resumé.

Resumés are important documents for all kinds of application packages — jobs, scholarships, grad school, etc. Your resumé should fit within the total package highlighting your achievements in a concise manner that can be further expounded upon in your personal statement, cover letter, or your letters of reference. It is important to custom tailor your resumé to any particular position, or program you are applying for. Some information needs to be emphasized more than other depending on what the reviewers may be looking for.

Using Your Space Wisely

In general, a resumé should be no more than two pages long — unless you have a large number of presentations or publications that need to be listed. Avoid the tendency to add more “stuff” to your resumé to try to look impressive. Use the relevant experience you have and determine what was impressive about it (for example, demonstrated independence, innovation, grit, or tenacity; helped improve ways of doing things in the lab; were given additional responsibilities as time went on; etc.)

• A reviewer would rather read about the two positions you had that are relevant, than try to sift through seven or eight clubs or fast-food job descriptions.
• Transcript?
• Recommendation Letters?
• Personal Statement?

Typically, resumes are formatted so that your most recent position is listed first. However, don’t put working at Dairy Queen first, if you are applying for a research position. Instead, consider using some of the following sections:

• Academic Accomplishments
• Research Experience
• Work Experience/Employment
• College Activities
• Volunteer Work
• Presentations and Publications

You do not need all of these categories, especially if you do not have relevant, interesting, or recent experience with them. Do not feel forced to try to fit your resume into someone else’s template. Make a list of what you want to include then design categories that fit your experience and story. Keep in mind that these categories will change over time (for example: five years after college, you will no longer need to include a section on “college activities”).

Research Mentor

• Area of research
• Not only does it show that you worked directly with a faculty member in your position, but reviewers might be familiar with your mentor’s work which could put you at an advantage.
• Consider listing projects and accomplishments the group achieved first before breaking things out on a year to year basis.
• If you were funded by different sources at different times, put a list of these sources at the bottom of the experience in this position.

Job Titles, Time Periods

• Use something that makes sense (sometimes HR titles do not)
• Instead of “MUURS Scholar” say “Student Researcher funded by the MU Undergraduate Research Scholars Program”
• Summer 2017 (9 weeks, full time internship)
• Academic Year 2018-2019 (15 hrs/week)
• What does that award mean?
• Will anyone outside of campus know what that is?
• Was the program selective?
• What was the award amount?
• What was the duration of the award?
• You can list various funding sources at the end of the relevant section
• External funding (from a government entity such as NIH, for example) is impressive. Be sure to list it.

You need to take the time to seriously consider your experience and how that allowed you to grow and mature as a researcher. Ask yourself these questions when brainstorming about your experience:

• What are areas you excelled in?
• What are lessons you learned?
• What are things you improved upon from the person before you?
• How did you spend your time?
• What skills did you gain?
• What research outcomes were reached?
• How long were you in the lab?

Use specific numbers or other qualifiers when applicable to show just how much work, effort, independence, or tenacity you had.

If your publication and presentation experience is limited, it is recommended that you include it with your relevant experience. However, if you have extensive or otherwise impressive experience (won a presentation award at a conference, or presented your work to state legislators at the Undergraduate Research Day at the the State Capitol, for example) then include a new category specifically for Presentations and/or Publications.

Presentations

• Include full list of authors
• Include full and official title
• Include if it was poster or oral presentation (ie, 15 minute presentation)
• Include location, event
• Include date (at least month and year)
• Include any award
• Check in with your mentor, to find out if a poster you co-authored was presented elsewhere.

Publications

• Full citation when published
• In Press – journal, date?
• Submitted for review – journal/date
• In preparation
• Check with your mentor as many projects are not completed by the time as student graduates.

Final Reminders

• Know your audience
• Explain (or spell out)
• Organize to fit your own situation
• Make it easy to follow – esp. if you have ‘time away’
• But have on comprehensive and cohesive running resumé.
• Have a system in place to update/organize your resumés.
• Use professional language, as most files are submitted electronically — the reviewer will see if you named a file “Better Resumé”
• ex: Jane Doe Resumé – Biochemistry REU, UT Austin
• This will ensure that the reviewer knows who you are and what you are applying for without even opening the file.

We encourage students to visit the MU Career Center in the Student Success Center for help on their specific application needs.

How to Include Thesis in Resume

Do you feel that every time you apply for a job, you feel a lot of pressure and uncertainty? If you are tired of not getting a job interview, then you need to be ready to change something. Logically, the best method would be to improve your knowledge and skills.

However, if they already are at the highest level, then there is something wrong with your resume!

Fortunately for you, multiple options are in front of you, and it is up to you whether you will choose the best one. One thing that will certainly raise your chances of getting a job interview is to put a thesis on your resume. It is a document that confirms your expertise in a particular topic.

Also, you can check this fantastic read about how you should list patents on your resume. But, how to put a thesis on a resume?

Answering that question in one or two sentences is not easy. That is the reason why we decided to provide you with an in-depth guide on how to list a thesis on a resume. We strongly recommend you analyze each tip from the list and apply those that seem most suitable to your career ambitions and goals!

4 Tips on How to Include Thesis on Resume

As you could conclude on your own from the subheading, there are four different ways you can complete this part of the job. Moreover, four different parts of the document you submit are ideal for something like this. Let’s find them out together!

Presenting your thesis effectively on your resume is crucial for the positions you apply for. However, optimizing your resume requires more effort, and our resumesolution reviews can offer valuable insights. Learn more about how ResumeSolution can make your application stand out.

1. Include a Thesis in Resume Education Section

We will start the list with the most common method people use for adding a thesis to their resume. The education section is the ideal place to add a piece of information like this. All you will have to figure out on your own how connected your thesis is with the job position you are applying for.

In case you see there is a strong connection, then you should add more details. For instance, you can say more about the achievements you had, mention the name and the title of the advisor you worked with, etc. On the other hand, if there is no strong bond between the job position and the thesis you possess, then it is going to be enough to add the name and location of the institution as well as the period of education. Everything else is going to be irrelevant to the hiring manager.

2. Include Your Thesis in the Work Experience Section

Another place where you can put a thesis in your resume is the work experience section. However, this time, adding a thesis to your resume is going to be a bit more demanding as you will have to be a bit more creative.

In this section, you will have to create some sort of subheading where you will describe all the projects you worked on. But, the question is – how to list research on a resume ? How difficult is that?

Don’t write a lot of pieces of information there as your document won’t be eye-pleasing that way. Instead of that, you should only highlight a couple of relevant pieces of information there

• Name of the research project/job title
• The name of the institution where you worked
• More information about your supervisor
• The period you worked there
• All the duties, responsibilities, and achievements that can confirm your expertise

As you see, including a thesis on a resume this way is a bit more challenging. However, work experience is usually at the top of the document. Because of that, there is a big chance you will make your expertise more visible by applying this tip.

3. Write about Thesis In Skills Section

Research programs you worked on as a student will certainly help you put a senior thesis on your resume. However, as mentioned, if you decide to put that in the education section, there is no need to talk about a bunch of details. Instead of that, if you want to talk about skills you got there, there is a separate section where you can do that.

Dividing the skills section is the best thing you can do. One subheading should contain all the hard skills you gained through the research you had. On the other hand, there should also be one subheading dedicated to soft skills you improved during that period. Listing a thesis on a resume that way will certainly raise your chances of getting a job interview.

4. Include a Thesis in the Resume Summary Section

All the pieces of advice we mentioned above are going to be valuable for each candidate. We only suggest you put into consideration your career ambitions and goals as well as the job position you are applying for. The answer on how to include a thesis in resume in the best possible way will appear after that.

Yet, as a rule of thumb, all the hiring managers will primarily check the summary of the document. Because of that, whichever method you decide on, not mentioning this information at the beginning of the document would be a huge mistake!

You probably feel right now that you know how to mention your thesis in resume. But, if you truly strive to achieve the best results, then we have some additional information for you! Continue reading if you want to get more valuable pieces of advice!

Avoid Adding Irrelevant Information

People that know how to include a thesis on a resume will always follow the standards! More precisely, they will never add irrelevant pieces of information to boost the word count of their resume. As a rule of thumb, the resume should not be longer than 2 pages. That especially counts for the job positions that a big number of people are applying for. Hiring managers will not have enough time to check all the details of every document they get.

Structure Your Thesis Resume Based on Your Work Experience

We already mentioned that the work experience section is usually the first one after the resume summary. However, that is not the standard that all candidates should strictly follow. If you recently graduated and you lack work experience, then the education section should first appear in the resume. Moreover, the education section is the ideal place to put an honor thesis on a resume.

But, if you have at least three years of work experience, then there is no need to use that structure. Start your story with a work history where you will mention your research projects. After that, add the skills you gained in the Skills Section in the way we previously suggested.

Use Assistance If You Can’t Handle the Obstacles

Even after reading all the pieces of advice, we shared here, some people may not manage to figure out how to put honors thesis on a resume. Because of that, looking for assistance is going to be a smart move.

Keep in mind that the average job-seeking process usually lasts around 5 months . If you want to speed up the entire process, hiring a professional resume writing service will certainly pay off. However, don’t do that immediately! Check out how actually creative you are by exploring how to put a senior thesis on your resume. Giving up immediately should not be your habit!

When Should People Put Thesis on Resume?

No, the answer to the question from the subheading is not “always”. There are particular scenarios when including a thesis on the resume is extremely important. Let’s find them out together!

Whenever a Candidate Applies for Another Degree

Many people do not stop with their education after they conclude their master’s degree. If you are applying for a Ph.D. program, then adding more information about your thesis to your resume would be an amazing thing. If you manage to get Ph.D. ABD, your chances of getting an interview invitation would raise even more! However, we will not analyze how to list Ph.D. ABD on resume in this article; you will manage to find a bunch of posts online analyzing that subject.

Lack of Work Experience

We already analyzed this, so there is no need to talk too much. If you lack work experience, then highlighting your education and confirming your expertise that way is the only option you have. Hiring managers will understand the “flaws” you have, but they will recognize the potential that you have to become a perfect employee one day!

When It Is Not Connected with Job Description/Requirements

Okay, you already know that putting a thesis on a resume is essential if it is relevant for the job position you apply for. However, there are some moments when you can add this piece of information even if it is not connected with the requirements of the company. Some people want to prove their transferable skills with their thesis. Because of that, if you gained skills like time management, work ethic, communication skills, and others, adding a thesis to the skills section would be good!

Matthew T. Cross, an expert that even wrote books about resume writing said an amazing thing.

He said – “No one will ever create a perfect resume on his first try”.

Because of that, do not be desperate if everything you just read seems confusing and challenging. You will probably get refused many times until you realize how to write a kickass resume.

If you need assistance, writing services are always available online. The professionals will know how to boost the quality of the document and represent your skills and mentality in the best possible way. So, are you ready to start this amazing journey? If you need help with your resume writing, then check here our list of the top resume writers online and be sure that you have perfect documents.

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