Can I put an expired certification on my resume?
Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
I had a Cisco cert that expired about a year ago. I let it expire because I wasn't working with the technology day to day in my current job, but now I am. I'd like to be able to put it on my resume as expired and then say I'm planning to re-certify.
My reasoning is instead of just saying "I plan to achieve this certification in the near future" I can say I already had this certification which I'm hoping would carry more weight?
I was going to put it under my skills or education section with (expired) next to it and then somewhere in my resume give a time frame of when I plan to certify again.
What do you think?
resume certification
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
I had a Cisco cert that expired about a year ago. I let it expire because I wasn't working with the technology day to day in my current job, but now I am. I'd like to be able to put it on my resume as expired and then say I'm planning to re-certify.
My reasoning is instead of just saying "I plan to achieve this certification in the near future" I can say I already had this certification which I'm hoping would carry more weight?
I was going to put it under my skills or education section with (expired) next to it and then somewhere in my resume give a time frame of when I plan to certify again.
What do you think?
resume certification
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
I had a Cisco cert that expired about a year ago. I let it expire because I wasn't working with the technology day to day in my current job, but now I am. I'd like to be able to put it on my resume as expired and then say I'm planning to re-certify.
My reasoning is instead of just saying "I plan to achieve this certification in the near future" I can say I already had this certification which I'm hoping would carry more weight?
I was going to put it under my skills or education section with (expired) next to it and then somewhere in my resume give a time frame of when I plan to certify again.
What do you think?
resume certification
I had a Cisco cert that expired about a year ago. I let it expire because I wasn't working with the technology day to day in my current job, but now I am. I'd like to be able to put it on my resume as expired and then say I'm planning to re-certify.
My reasoning is instead of just saying "I plan to achieve this certification in the near future" I can say I already had this certification which I'm hoping would carry more weight?
I was going to put it under my skills or education section with (expired) next to it and then somewhere in my resume give a time frame of when I plan to certify again.
What do you think?
resume certification
asked Dec 26 '14 at 18:25
user1028270
208137
208137
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
18
down vote
Yes, you can put an expired certification. The piece of paper may be expired, but your knowledge is never expired.
I would list the certification under education and in parentheses say (expired, currently renewing). Keep the words short and concise, and use lots of white space. Most importantly, stress in you cover-letter what you accomplished in your current position and how you will accomplish those things (and more) if you get selected for this new position.
While certifications are important, knowledge and your hard work is much much more valuable.
3
Agreed. My Cisco certs expired - I wasn't going to kill myself on that Cisco cert treadmill. Your Cisco cert expired but it's still a useful frame of reference when it comes to gauging your level of knowledge. Having said that, I am glad that I am a Linux guy - I just hate those paper certifications and those - Microsoft, Cisco, CISSP, etc. - who issue them.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Dec 26 '14 at 18:44
1
I agree, as certs become less valuable it seems like more and more of just a money grab for the companies issuing them. Feel bad for all those Microsoft Certified Masters- $10,000 well spent.
– user1028270
Dec 26 '14 at 19:00
1
@user1028270 --- It depends what you get out of studying those certs. Many sites advertise question dumps but if a person applies themselves to learn and understand the study material, and it shows when they perform their job, then I believe certs are worth it. And the knowledge you get from learning plus applying what you learn will soon outweigh the money spent to take these exams. It's unfortunate that certs have been misused because people want a piece of paper that says they know something when all they did was memorize question and answers.
– Glowie
Dec 26 '14 at 19:09
1
@user1028270 Certs range a great deal in value. The A+ for example covers things that are more and more becoming "common knowledge" which has made it all but worthless. On the other hand certs like the CCNA still retain a great deal of value, albeit not on as broad a level. It used to be if you had a CCNA you could practically walk in and take a job from someone without a CCNA regardless of the infrastructure. (It was just that valuable) Nowadays if the company has a Cisco backend that CCNA is still gold, but if they aren't on Cisco... meh... a plus still, but a pretty small one.
– RualStorge
Dec 26 '14 at 20:30
1
I wholly agree that putting an expired cert on your resume is perfectly acceptable. In IT, the fundamentals of a certification change very slowly. Having the cert, even if expired shows that knowledge.
– Keltari
Dec 30 '14 at 4:31
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
You can put it on your resume if you look at it like an achievement. As long as you don't put "Current certifications" or something similar then you're in an ethically gray area because you're you're not saying you currently hold those certifications specifically, though you are allowing them to infer that.
Normally I'm a complete tight-ass on stuff except with certifications you've still acquired the knowledge and that's still valid and you're showing that you did in fact demonstrate to a testing service that you did acquire that knowledge, even if the testing service isn't testifying to it anymore.
There is an exception though. If the position you're applying for states in its description or you learn through the interview that a specific certification is required then you're ethically obligated (in my opinion) to tell them that it's expired and you're in the process of recertifying, which should be a simple matter.
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Your certificates show that you have done something that'll be helpful for you in near future and confirms that you have some knowledge about the field.
Considering that it might be just a piece of paper for some but it is bound to be valued at right place.
Since you have not been working in the field related to certificate and think of shifting to that again I suggest you to be ready to face some questions relating to you technology change .
Your specifying the certificate will help you in changing the
technology as it'll show that you have some prior knowledge and
showing that you are think of renewing the certificate shows your
interest in the field.
suggest improvements |Â
protected by Elysian Fields♦ Oct 29 '16 at 22:25
Thank you for your interest in this question.
Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).
Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
18
down vote
Yes, you can put an expired certification. The piece of paper may be expired, but your knowledge is never expired.
I would list the certification under education and in parentheses say (expired, currently renewing). Keep the words short and concise, and use lots of white space. Most importantly, stress in you cover-letter what you accomplished in your current position and how you will accomplish those things (and more) if you get selected for this new position.
While certifications are important, knowledge and your hard work is much much more valuable.
3
Agreed. My Cisco certs expired - I wasn't going to kill myself on that Cisco cert treadmill. Your Cisco cert expired but it's still a useful frame of reference when it comes to gauging your level of knowledge. Having said that, I am glad that I am a Linux guy - I just hate those paper certifications and those - Microsoft, Cisco, CISSP, etc. - who issue them.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Dec 26 '14 at 18:44
1
I agree, as certs become less valuable it seems like more and more of just a money grab for the companies issuing them. Feel bad for all those Microsoft Certified Masters- $10,000 well spent.
– user1028270
Dec 26 '14 at 19:00
1
@user1028270 --- It depends what you get out of studying those certs. Many sites advertise question dumps but if a person applies themselves to learn and understand the study material, and it shows when they perform their job, then I believe certs are worth it. And the knowledge you get from learning plus applying what you learn will soon outweigh the money spent to take these exams. It's unfortunate that certs have been misused because people want a piece of paper that says they know something when all they did was memorize question and answers.
– Glowie
Dec 26 '14 at 19:09
1
@user1028270 Certs range a great deal in value. The A+ for example covers things that are more and more becoming "common knowledge" which has made it all but worthless. On the other hand certs like the CCNA still retain a great deal of value, albeit not on as broad a level. It used to be if you had a CCNA you could practically walk in and take a job from someone without a CCNA regardless of the infrastructure. (It was just that valuable) Nowadays if the company has a Cisco backend that CCNA is still gold, but if they aren't on Cisco... meh... a plus still, but a pretty small one.
– RualStorge
Dec 26 '14 at 20:30
1
I wholly agree that putting an expired cert on your resume is perfectly acceptable. In IT, the fundamentals of a certification change very slowly. Having the cert, even if expired shows that knowledge.
– Keltari
Dec 30 '14 at 4:31
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
18
down vote
Yes, you can put an expired certification. The piece of paper may be expired, but your knowledge is never expired.
I would list the certification under education and in parentheses say (expired, currently renewing). Keep the words short and concise, and use lots of white space. Most importantly, stress in you cover-letter what you accomplished in your current position and how you will accomplish those things (and more) if you get selected for this new position.
While certifications are important, knowledge and your hard work is much much more valuable.
3
Agreed. My Cisco certs expired - I wasn't going to kill myself on that Cisco cert treadmill. Your Cisco cert expired but it's still a useful frame of reference when it comes to gauging your level of knowledge. Having said that, I am glad that I am a Linux guy - I just hate those paper certifications and those - Microsoft, Cisco, CISSP, etc. - who issue them.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Dec 26 '14 at 18:44
1
I agree, as certs become less valuable it seems like more and more of just a money grab for the companies issuing them. Feel bad for all those Microsoft Certified Masters- $10,000 well spent.
– user1028270
Dec 26 '14 at 19:00
1
@user1028270 --- It depends what you get out of studying those certs. Many sites advertise question dumps but if a person applies themselves to learn and understand the study material, and it shows when they perform their job, then I believe certs are worth it. And the knowledge you get from learning plus applying what you learn will soon outweigh the money spent to take these exams. It's unfortunate that certs have been misused because people want a piece of paper that says they know something when all they did was memorize question and answers.
– Glowie
Dec 26 '14 at 19:09
1
@user1028270 Certs range a great deal in value. The A+ for example covers things that are more and more becoming "common knowledge" which has made it all but worthless. On the other hand certs like the CCNA still retain a great deal of value, albeit not on as broad a level. It used to be if you had a CCNA you could practically walk in and take a job from someone without a CCNA regardless of the infrastructure. (It was just that valuable) Nowadays if the company has a Cisco backend that CCNA is still gold, but if they aren't on Cisco... meh... a plus still, but a pretty small one.
– RualStorge
Dec 26 '14 at 20:30
1
I wholly agree that putting an expired cert on your resume is perfectly acceptable. In IT, the fundamentals of a certification change very slowly. Having the cert, even if expired shows that knowledge.
– Keltari
Dec 30 '14 at 4:31
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
18
down vote
up vote
18
down vote
Yes, you can put an expired certification. The piece of paper may be expired, but your knowledge is never expired.
I would list the certification under education and in parentheses say (expired, currently renewing). Keep the words short and concise, and use lots of white space. Most importantly, stress in you cover-letter what you accomplished in your current position and how you will accomplish those things (and more) if you get selected for this new position.
While certifications are important, knowledge and your hard work is much much more valuable.
Yes, you can put an expired certification. The piece of paper may be expired, but your knowledge is never expired.
I would list the certification under education and in parentheses say (expired, currently renewing). Keep the words short and concise, and use lots of white space. Most importantly, stress in you cover-letter what you accomplished in your current position and how you will accomplish those things (and more) if you get selected for this new position.
While certifications are important, knowledge and your hard work is much much more valuable.
answered Dec 26 '14 at 18:38
Glowie
1,38911119
1,38911119
3
Agreed. My Cisco certs expired - I wasn't going to kill myself on that Cisco cert treadmill. Your Cisco cert expired but it's still a useful frame of reference when it comes to gauging your level of knowledge. Having said that, I am glad that I am a Linux guy - I just hate those paper certifications and those - Microsoft, Cisco, CISSP, etc. - who issue them.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Dec 26 '14 at 18:44
1
I agree, as certs become less valuable it seems like more and more of just a money grab for the companies issuing them. Feel bad for all those Microsoft Certified Masters- $10,000 well spent.
– user1028270
Dec 26 '14 at 19:00
1
@user1028270 --- It depends what you get out of studying those certs. Many sites advertise question dumps but if a person applies themselves to learn and understand the study material, and it shows when they perform their job, then I believe certs are worth it. And the knowledge you get from learning plus applying what you learn will soon outweigh the money spent to take these exams. It's unfortunate that certs have been misused because people want a piece of paper that says they know something when all they did was memorize question and answers.
– Glowie
Dec 26 '14 at 19:09
1
@user1028270 Certs range a great deal in value. The A+ for example covers things that are more and more becoming "common knowledge" which has made it all but worthless. On the other hand certs like the CCNA still retain a great deal of value, albeit not on as broad a level. It used to be if you had a CCNA you could practically walk in and take a job from someone without a CCNA regardless of the infrastructure. (It was just that valuable) Nowadays if the company has a Cisco backend that CCNA is still gold, but if they aren't on Cisco... meh... a plus still, but a pretty small one.
– RualStorge
Dec 26 '14 at 20:30
1
I wholly agree that putting an expired cert on your resume is perfectly acceptable. In IT, the fundamentals of a certification change very slowly. Having the cert, even if expired shows that knowledge.
– Keltari
Dec 30 '14 at 4:31
suggest improvements |Â
3
Agreed. My Cisco certs expired - I wasn't going to kill myself on that Cisco cert treadmill. Your Cisco cert expired but it's still a useful frame of reference when it comes to gauging your level of knowledge. Having said that, I am glad that I am a Linux guy - I just hate those paper certifications and those - Microsoft, Cisco, CISSP, etc. - who issue them.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Dec 26 '14 at 18:44
1
I agree, as certs become less valuable it seems like more and more of just a money grab for the companies issuing them. Feel bad for all those Microsoft Certified Masters- $10,000 well spent.
– user1028270
Dec 26 '14 at 19:00
1
@user1028270 --- It depends what you get out of studying those certs. Many sites advertise question dumps but if a person applies themselves to learn and understand the study material, and it shows when they perform their job, then I believe certs are worth it. And the knowledge you get from learning plus applying what you learn will soon outweigh the money spent to take these exams. It's unfortunate that certs have been misused because people want a piece of paper that says they know something when all they did was memorize question and answers.
– Glowie
Dec 26 '14 at 19:09
1
@user1028270 Certs range a great deal in value. The A+ for example covers things that are more and more becoming "common knowledge" which has made it all but worthless. On the other hand certs like the CCNA still retain a great deal of value, albeit not on as broad a level. It used to be if you had a CCNA you could practically walk in and take a job from someone without a CCNA regardless of the infrastructure. (It was just that valuable) Nowadays if the company has a Cisco backend that CCNA is still gold, but if they aren't on Cisco... meh... a plus still, but a pretty small one.
– RualStorge
Dec 26 '14 at 20:30
1
I wholly agree that putting an expired cert on your resume is perfectly acceptable. In IT, the fundamentals of a certification change very slowly. Having the cert, even if expired shows that knowledge.
– Keltari
Dec 30 '14 at 4:31
3
3
Agreed. My Cisco certs expired - I wasn't going to kill myself on that Cisco cert treadmill. Your Cisco cert expired but it's still a useful frame of reference when it comes to gauging your level of knowledge. Having said that, I am glad that I am a Linux guy - I just hate those paper certifications and those - Microsoft, Cisco, CISSP, etc. - who issue them.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Dec 26 '14 at 18:44
Agreed. My Cisco certs expired - I wasn't going to kill myself on that Cisco cert treadmill. Your Cisco cert expired but it's still a useful frame of reference when it comes to gauging your level of knowledge. Having said that, I am glad that I am a Linux guy - I just hate those paper certifications and those - Microsoft, Cisco, CISSP, etc. - who issue them.
– Vietnhi Phuvan
Dec 26 '14 at 18:44
1
1
I agree, as certs become less valuable it seems like more and more of just a money grab for the companies issuing them. Feel bad for all those Microsoft Certified Masters- $10,000 well spent.
– user1028270
Dec 26 '14 at 19:00
I agree, as certs become less valuable it seems like more and more of just a money grab for the companies issuing them. Feel bad for all those Microsoft Certified Masters- $10,000 well spent.
– user1028270
Dec 26 '14 at 19:00
1
1
@user1028270 --- It depends what you get out of studying those certs. Many sites advertise question dumps but if a person applies themselves to learn and understand the study material, and it shows when they perform their job, then I believe certs are worth it. And the knowledge you get from learning plus applying what you learn will soon outweigh the money spent to take these exams. It's unfortunate that certs have been misused because people want a piece of paper that says they know something when all they did was memorize question and answers.
– Glowie
Dec 26 '14 at 19:09
@user1028270 --- It depends what you get out of studying those certs. Many sites advertise question dumps but if a person applies themselves to learn and understand the study material, and it shows when they perform their job, then I believe certs are worth it. And the knowledge you get from learning plus applying what you learn will soon outweigh the money spent to take these exams. It's unfortunate that certs have been misused because people want a piece of paper that says they know something when all they did was memorize question and answers.
– Glowie
Dec 26 '14 at 19:09
1
1
@user1028270 Certs range a great deal in value. The A+ for example covers things that are more and more becoming "common knowledge" which has made it all but worthless. On the other hand certs like the CCNA still retain a great deal of value, albeit not on as broad a level. It used to be if you had a CCNA you could practically walk in and take a job from someone without a CCNA regardless of the infrastructure. (It was just that valuable) Nowadays if the company has a Cisco backend that CCNA is still gold, but if they aren't on Cisco... meh... a plus still, but a pretty small one.
– RualStorge
Dec 26 '14 at 20:30
@user1028270 Certs range a great deal in value. The A+ for example covers things that are more and more becoming "common knowledge" which has made it all but worthless. On the other hand certs like the CCNA still retain a great deal of value, albeit not on as broad a level. It used to be if you had a CCNA you could practically walk in and take a job from someone without a CCNA regardless of the infrastructure. (It was just that valuable) Nowadays if the company has a Cisco backend that CCNA is still gold, but if they aren't on Cisco... meh... a plus still, but a pretty small one.
– RualStorge
Dec 26 '14 at 20:30
1
1
I wholly agree that putting an expired cert on your resume is perfectly acceptable. In IT, the fundamentals of a certification change very slowly. Having the cert, even if expired shows that knowledge.
– Keltari
Dec 30 '14 at 4:31
I wholly agree that putting an expired cert on your resume is perfectly acceptable. In IT, the fundamentals of a certification change very slowly. Having the cert, even if expired shows that knowledge.
– Keltari
Dec 30 '14 at 4:31
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
You can put it on your resume if you look at it like an achievement. As long as you don't put "Current certifications" or something similar then you're in an ethically gray area because you're you're not saying you currently hold those certifications specifically, though you are allowing them to infer that.
Normally I'm a complete tight-ass on stuff except with certifications you've still acquired the knowledge and that's still valid and you're showing that you did in fact demonstrate to a testing service that you did acquire that knowledge, even if the testing service isn't testifying to it anymore.
There is an exception though. If the position you're applying for states in its description or you learn through the interview that a specific certification is required then you're ethically obligated (in my opinion) to tell them that it's expired and you're in the process of recertifying, which should be a simple matter.
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
You can put it on your resume if you look at it like an achievement. As long as you don't put "Current certifications" or something similar then you're in an ethically gray area because you're you're not saying you currently hold those certifications specifically, though you are allowing them to infer that.
Normally I'm a complete tight-ass on stuff except with certifications you've still acquired the knowledge and that's still valid and you're showing that you did in fact demonstrate to a testing service that you did acquire that knowledge, even if the testing service isn't testifying to it anymore.
There is an exception though. If the position you're applying for states in its description or you learn through the interview that a specific certification is required then you're ethically obligated (in my opinion) to tell them that it's expired and you're in the process of recertifying, which should be a simple matter.
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
You can put it on your resume if you look at it like an achievement. As long as you don't put "Current certifications" or something similar then you're in an ethically gray area because you're you're not saying you currently hold those certifications specifically, though you are allowing them to infer that.
Normally I'm a complete tight-ass on stuff except with certifications you've still acquired the knowledge and that's still valid and you're showing that you did in fact demonstrate to a testing service that you did acquire that knowledge, even if the testing service isn't testifying to it anymore.
There is an exception though. If the position you're applying for states in its description or you learn through the interview that a specific certification is required then you're ethically obligated (in my opinion) to tell them that it's expired and you're in the process of recertifying, which should be a simple matter.
You can put it on your resume if you look at it like an achievement. As long as you don't put "Current certifications" or something similar then you're in an ethically gray area because you're you're not saying you currently hold those certifications specifically, though you are allowing them to infer that.
Normally I'm a complete tight-ass on stuff except with certifications you've still acquired the knowledge and that's still valid and you're showing that you did in fact demonstrate to a testing service that you did acquire that knowledge, even if the testing service isn't testifying to it anymore.
There is an exception though. If the position you're applying for states in its description or you learn through the interview that a specific certification is required then you're ethically obligated (in my opinion) to tell them that it's expired and you're in the process of recertifying, which should be a simple matter.
answered Dec 26 '14 at 18:40


Chris E
40.4k22129166
40.4k22129166
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Your certificates show that you have done something that'll be helpful for you in near future and confirms that you have some knowledge about the field.
Considering that it might be just a piece of paper for some but it is bound to be valued at right place.
Since you have not been working in the field related to certificate and think of shifting to that again I suggest you to be ready to face some questions relating to you technology change .
Your specifying the certificate will help you in changing the
technology as it'll show that you have some prior knowledge and
showing that you are think of renewing the certificate shows your
interest in the field.
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Your certificates show that you have done something that'll be helpful for you in near future and confirms that you have some knowledge about the field.
Considering that it might be just a piece of paper for some but it is bound to be valued at right place.
Since you have not been working in the field related to certificate and think of shifting to that again I suggest you to be ready to face some questions relating to you technology change .
Your specifying the certificate will help you in changing the
technology as it'll show that you have some prior knowledge and
showing that you are think of renewing the certificate shows your
interest in the field.
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Your certificates show that you have done something that'll be helpful for you in near future and confirms that you have some knowledge about the field.
Considering that it might be just a piece of paper for some but it is bound to be valued at right place.
Since you have not been working in the field related to certificate and think of shifting to that again I suggest you to be ready to face some questions relating to you technology change .
Your specifying the certificate will help you in changing the
technology as it'll show that you have some prior knowledge and
showing that you are think of renewing the certificate shows your
interest in the field.
Your certificates show that you have done something that'll be helpful for you in near future and confirms that you have some knowledge about the field.
Considering that it might be just a piece of paper for some but it is bound to be valued at right place.
Since you have not been working in the field related to certificate and think of shifting to that again I suggest you to be ready to face some questions relating to you technology change .
Your specifying the certificate will help you in changing the
technology as it'll show that you have some prior knowledge and
showing that you are think of renewing the certificate shows your
interest in the field.
answered Dec 17 '16 at 8:25


Black Mamba
1,096519
1,096519
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
protected by Elysian Fields♦ Oct 29 '16 at 22:25
Thank you for your interest in this question.
Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).
Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?