One of the most common formatting mistakes I see is people turning their name into alphabet soup.
Jane Smith, MBA, PMP, SHRM-CP, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Scrum Master, ITIL, AWS CCP…
It raises an important question:
Which credentials actually belong after your name?
The answer is much simpler than most people think.
The General Rule
On a resume, your name should almost always include only terminal academic degrees and, in certain professions, required professional licenses.
Everything else belongs somewhere else on the resume.
What Is a Terminal Degree?
A terminal degree is the highest academic degree available in a field. Once you’ve earned it, there isn’t another academic degree above it in that discipline.
Examples include:
- PhD
- EdD
- MD
- DO
- DDS
- DVM
- PharmD
- JD (This is generally only used after the name for attorneys applying for teaching jobs)
- MFA (in many creative disciplines)
If you’ve earned one of these, it’s appropriate to include it after your name.
For example:
Jane Smith, PhD
or
Michael Jones, MD
What About a Master’s Degree?
This is where opinions differ.
Technically, a master’s degree isn’t a terminal degree in many fields because a doctorate exists above it.
People used to include MBA after their name, but that has fallen out of favor for two reasons. First, it’s pretty common for business execs. Second, the ATS will pick up on it in the Education section.
Professional Licenses
Some professions traditionally include a required license after the name because it’s central to practicing the profession.
Examples include:
- CPA
- PE
- RN
- NP
- PA-C
If the credential is required for the role and commonly appears after a professional’s name, including it is appropriate.
What Shouldn’t Go After Your Name?
This is where resumes often become cluttered.
Generally, don’t place certifications like these after your name:
- PMP
- SHRM-CP
- SHRM-SCP
- CISSP
- Lean Six Sigma
- Scrum Master
- AWS certifications
- Google certifications
- Microsoft certifications
These are valuable credentials.
They just don’t belong in your name.
Instead, include this in the first line of your summary and in a dedicated Certifications section where recruiters can easily find them.
Keep Your Name Easy to Read
Your name is your brand.
The goal is recognition, not listing every credential you’ve earned.
Compare these:
Jane Smith, MD
versus
Jane Smith, MBA, PMP, SHRM-SCP, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, ITIL, AWS CCP
Which one is easier to remember?
Which one feels more confident?
Simple usually wins.
The Bottom Line
Your resume should communicate expertise without overwhelming the reader.
After your name, limit yourself to:
- Your highest relevant academic degree (typically a terminal degree or, in business, an MBA).
- A professional license when it’s standard for your profession.
Everything else should appear in a dedicated Certifications or Licenses section.
Recruiters care far more about how you’ve applied your expertise than how many letters follow your name.
Related Articles
- What Should You Include on Your Resume in 2026?
- How to Write a Resume Summary That Gets Interviews
- ATS-Friendly Resumes in 2026: What Actually Matters
- Resume Best Practices, Part 2: Formatting
Need help deciding what belongs on your resume? I help professionals present their credentials in a way that builds credibility without distracting from what matters most: the value they bring.
