When it comes to writing a resume, it’s important to highlight your qualifications and achievements. If you’ve completed a thesis, you may be wondering if you should include it on your resume. In this article, we’ll discuss when it’s appropriate to mention your thesis on your resume and how to do so.
First, it’s important to understand what a thesis is. A thesis is a research paper that a candidate submits to fulfill the requirements for an academic degree. It demonstrates a candidate’s expert knowledge of a specific topic within their field of study. Theses on scientific topics often involve an experimental research project, whereas a humanities thesis typically consists of an extended analysis of a topic. Regardless of the field of study, a thesis needs to contain:
- A thesis statement
- A mention of literature that has bearing on the current research
- An explanation of the methods and materials the candidate will employ
- The results and findings of the candidate’s research
Now that you understand what a thesis is, let’s discuss when it’s appropriate to mention it on your resume. Here are a few examples of situations in which you may want to do so:
- You’ve recently completed your studies: If you’ve recently completed your studies and haven’t had the opportunity to gain much professional experience, consider adding your thesis information to your resume. Doing so will provide a hiring manager with valuable information concerning your skills and knowledge.
- It’s relevant to the positions you’re applying for: If the topic of your thesis and your field of research in general are relevant to the position you’re applying for, you should definitely mention your thesis on your resume. For instance, if you’re applying for a position as a cancer research scientist and your thesis was on the role of nutrition in cancer treatment, your thesis research is relevant and you should provide detailed information.
- You’re applying for another degree: If you’ve concluded your master’s degree and are applying for a PhD program, you should add details regarding your master’s thesis on your resume.
- Transferrable skills: Even if your thesis topic may not have direct relevance to the position you’re applying for, you can include details regarding your research if you think that it involves transferable skills that pertain to the role you’re applying for.
- You’re applying for a postdoctoral research position: You’ll want to include details about your thesis when you’re applying for a postdoctoral research position, as you’ll typically continue with the research you did for your master’s and doctoral theses during a postdoc.
How to Add Your Thesis Information to Your Resume
If you’ve decided to include your thesis information on your resume, there are a few ways to do so. Here are some tips:
- Add only relevant information: A resume is a concise document that’s typically no longer than two pages. This means that you should only include information that’s relevant to the position you’re applying for. When adding your thesis information, make sure that it’s relevant to the job you’re seeking.
- List either the Education or Experience section first: If you’ve recently completed your studies, you may want to list your education section first. If you have more professional experience, you may want to list your experience section first. Either way, make sure that your thesis information is included in the appropriate section.
- Be concise: When adding your thesis information, be concise. You don’t need to provide a detailed summary of your research. Instead, provide a brief overview of your thesis topic and the skills you developed while completing it.
- Use bullet points: When listing your thesis information, consider using bullet points. This will make it easier for hiring managers to read and understand your qualifications.
FAQ
What is a thesis?
A thesis is a research paper that a candidate submits to fulfill the requirements for an academic degree. It demonstrates a candidate’s expert knowledge of a specific topic within their field of study.
When should I put my thesis information on my resume?
Here are a few examples of situations in which you may want to include your thesis information on your resume:
- You’ve recently completed your studies
- It’s relevant to the positions you’re applying for
- You’re applying for another degree
- Transferrable skills
- You’re applying for a postdoctoral research position
How do I add my thesis information to my resume?
If you’ve decided to include your thesis information on your resume, make sure that it’s
