Including NCMA Certification on a Résumé
If you work in the field of contract management, National Contract Management Association (NCMA) certification can be extremely beneficial if you are looking into new job options or seeking advancement within your current company. NCMA certification is an especially important detail to include on your résumé. The proper placement and presentation of your credentials on a résumé can have a tremendous impact on the attention your application will receive.
What Is NCMA Certification?
The NCMA offers three different certifications, including Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM™), Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM™) and Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM™). NCMA certification proves your mastery of essential contract management concepts, strategies and tools. It also allows you to validate your skills in the field and show prospective employers that you are up to date on the latest developments and techniques involved in contract management. Contract management is a very important part of any business, and to ensure successful contract negotiations, employers seek out the most qualified candidates for these critical roles. With NCMA certification, you’ll set yourself apart from the rest of the applicant pool and establish yourself as an expert contract manager.
You will also benefit personally from NCMA certification. Because of the extensive training required to pass the NCMA certification exams, you’ll become intimately familiar with the most in-demand contract management skills, tools and strategies. In addition, NCMA certification positions you for a higher level of compensation. On average, contract managers who hold NCMA certification as a CPCM make $28,000 more than those who are not certified.*
How to Include NCMA Certification on Your Résumé
When you update your résumé, you’ll want to make sure that your NCMA certification stands out. You should aim to include it in at least two places:
- Insert the certification acronym after your name at the very top of your résumé, above your contact information. For example:
- John Doe, CPCM
[address, phone, email]
- John Doe, CPCM
- Include your NCMA certification in a special “Certifications” section following your work experience. List both the full name of the certification and dates, which shows when you initially attained certification and proves that you have maintained your certification. For example:
- CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM),
National Contract Management Association (NCMA)
October 2005–Present
- CERTIFICATIONS
- If you participated in a formal training program as part of your NCMA certification, you can include that under your “Education” or “Education and Training” section. For example:
- EDUCATION
Master Certificate in Government Contract Management,
Villanova University
August 2010
- EDUCATION
Including your NCMA certification and relevant training throughout your résumé will help you stand out from the competition and prove that you are qualified for the most sought-after contract management jobs.
Prepare for NCMA Certification With 100% Online Training From Villanova University
It’s clear that NCMA certification is a valuable asset in the field of contract management. However, it takes hard work and preparation to achieve this distinction, which is why it’s essential to prepare for your certification exam with comprehensive, high-quality training. One excellent option for both training and exam preparation is the Master Certificate in Government Contract Management or Master Certificate in Commercial Contract Management offered 100% online by Villanova University.
Ranked #1 in the Master’s category/North region by U.S. News & World Report for almost two decades, Villanova brings superior online training to professionals worldwide. When you enroll in one of Villanova’s contract management master certificate programs, you will:
- Gain valuable insights from expert instructors with extensive contract management experience
- Access lessons, complete coursework and take exams 100% online, anytime and anywhere
- Have the opportunity to participate in weekly live interactive sessions
- View lectures via streaming video, MP4 file downloads or CD-ROM at your convenience
- Communicate with classmates and instructors through online message boards, two-way voice over IP (VOIP), virtual whiteboards, email and live chat
- Prepare for NCMA certification as a CFCM, CCCM or CPCM
- Receive a framed certificate of achievement from Villanova University upon completion of each certificate course, as well as a master certificate when you finish the entire program
Each master certificate program consists of three certificate courses delivered via a convenient, video-based e-learning platform. Your first course will either be Essentials of Government Contract Management or Essentials of Commercial Contract Management, depending on which track you pursue. You’ll finish with Mastering Business Skills and Advanced Contract Management for a well-rounded background in the field of contract management. When your résumé features Villanova credentials and NCMA certification, you’ll have a distinct advantage when applying for the industry’s best contract management jobs.
* Salary findings as listed in the 2008 Contract Management Salary Survey published by the National Contract Management Association in 2009.
