Should I list classes on my resume that aren't relevant to my current job?

A reader writes:

"I graduated with a BS in business administration,I work at a furniture store but I'm taking online classes to be a medical coder...should I include my medical coding classes on my resume even though it is has no relevance to my current job?"

What's relevant on a resume is based on the job or internship you're applying for, not the job you currently have. You want to use your resume to highlight the skills, experience, and education you have that are related to the position you're applying for.

So, if you are applying for medical coder positions, you can include the classes. On the other hand, if you are applying for a position that has nothing do to with medical coding, the classes don't belong on your resume.

Although you didn't ask about it, I wanted to bring up tailoring your resume because you're in working at a job that is not directly related to your career goals. Beside listing relevant classes, you also only want to include relevant jobs, internships, and volunteer positions on your resume.

When your experience is not directly related to the position you're applying for, but you have skills that might be relevant from an unrelated job, you want to highlight those on your resume. Put another way, focus on what you think is important about your current job from the potential employers perspective.

For example, go ahead and list your furniture store job when you are applying for medical coder positions, but highlight medical coder-related skills and accomplishments, like being detail oriented to manage inventory or using ten key while processing customer transactions.

Good luck in your medical coding classes!

Got questions? Please feel free to ask The Advisor about it.