How to Show Vocational Training in a Resume and Cover Letter

The National Center for Educational Statistics is projecting a 30% overall increase in the number of associate degrees granted between 2007-2008 and 2019 - 2020. Many of these graduates will be students enrolled in vocational training programs. These vocational training graduates, often possess job skills in demand by employers and will have greater success in the job search if they know how to show vocational training in a resume and cover letter.

Use a resume and cover letter to describe projects and practical, hands-on coursework in vocational training
Most successful vocational training focuses on developing current job skills necessary for graduates to hit the ground running after graduation. Vocational grads could show these job skills in a resume or cover letter in one of two ways. Graduates could show vocational skills ina "Skills" section on a resume or use a cover letter to show vocational skills by speaking about projects, internships, practicums or externships.

Use a resume and cover letter to show knowledge of industry
Show the job skills gained in vocational training with specific industry "buzz" words and phrases. Recruiters will be using industry keywords to screen resumes to find the right candidate. As a vocational training graduates should be using these buzz words too.

Use a resume and cover letter to demonstrate desired workplace soft skills
Completion of a vocational training program will not only give the graduate knowledge of specific job skills, it demonstrates many other workplace skills and behaviors that employers want. These soft skills are the skills or behaviors behind a person's actions. Completion of vocational training will demonstrate to employers:
- personal motivation and drive to attend school and complete a program
- commitment to setting goals and achieving
- time management
- ability to balance work and life in a relatively short time frame

Use a resume and cover letter to demonstrate strong work ethic
Graduates from vocational training programs who worked part time or full time throughout their vocational program should use that information to market their work ethic in their resumes and cover letters. Many employers will see that willingness to work hard to help fund your vocational training as a plus.

Many vocational training programs offer career and job placement services with career advisors trained to show students how best to show vocational training in a resume or cover letter.