When you're applying for jobs, your resume is your personal pitch. But what happens when you haven’t completed your degree? Whether you paused your studies for financial reasons, changed career paths, or life simply got in the way — the truth is, many people are in the same boat. And the good news? You can still present your education in a positive, professional way that adds value to your resume.
In this article, we’ll walk through how to include an unfinished degree on your resume with confidence, backed by a realistic resume example that demonstrates exactly how to do it. If you’re searching for an unfinished degree on resume example that works in real-life hiring situations — this is it.
REALISTIC UNFINISHED DEGREE ON RESUME EXAMPLE
Jordan Smith
Phone: (555) 123-4567
Email: jordan.smith@email.com
Location: Dallas, TX
Professional Summary
Detail-oriented administrative professional with over 5 years of experience supporting office operations in fast-paced environments. Skilled in scheduling, client communications, data entry, and process coordination. Known for reliability, efficiency, and a strong work ethic. Seeking to bring organizational and communication strengths to a dynamic team.
Core Skills
Office Administration
Calendar & Schedule Management
Document Preparation
Customer Service
Microsoft Office Suite
Data Entry & Records Management
Work Experience
Office Assistant
BrightPath Solutions, Dallas, TX
March 2020 – Present
Manage scheduling for 3 senior staff members, maintaining over 95% accuracy
Prepare and file contracts, invoices, and client documentation
Respond to client inquiries via phone and email with professionalism and speed
Maintain inventory supplies and reduce monthly office supply costs by 15%
Administrative Intern
Westfield & Co., Dallas, TX
June 2018 – February 2020
Assisted HR in onboarding documentation for 20+ new hires
Supported front desk tasks including guest check-ins and mail distribution
Organized digital files, improving record accessibility by 40%
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration (Incomplete)
University of Texas at Dallas
Completed 90 credit hours toward degree | 2016 – 2019
Certifications
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) – Word and Excel
Google Workspace Productivity Certification
Resume Writing Advice for Unfinished Degrees
Be honest and clear. Never try to fake a completed degree — hiring managers will likely verify.
Include credit hours or relevant coursework. This shows how far you progressed and what knowledge you bring.
Avoid dates if they could hurt you. If you took a break several years ago, consider removing the dates but mention your progress.
Focus on transferable skills. Highlight work experience and training that align with the job you want.
Tailor your approach based on your industry. In technical or academic roles, showing relevant coursework and skills is key. In customer service or admin roles, employers may care more about your experience than your degree status.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should I mention an unfinished degree on my resume at all?
Yes, especially if it’s relevant to the job. It shows initiative and that you’ve had formal education, even if incomplete.
2. How do I format an unfinished degree if I didn’t graduate?
List the degree name, school, and clearly state it's incomplete. You can include completed credit hours or mention “coursework completed.”
3. What if I’m currently pursuing the degree?
Then say "Expected Graduation: [Year]" or "Currently pursuing." This signals continued effort and goals.
4. Can an unfinished degree hurt my chances?
Not necessarily. If you frame it positively and back it with experience or skills, most hiring managers won’t hold it against you.
Final Thoughts
Not every path to success is a straight line — and your resume doesn’t have to hide that. With the right strategy, an unfinished degree on resume example can actually strengthen your application. Show what you’ve learned, where you’re going, and most importantly, what you bring to the table right now.
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