Where do I document a pending Masters degree on a resume so it will be seen by recruiters?

by Anonymous
(Somewhere)

Hello... I left my last job in 2008 to pursue a full-time three and a half year Masters degree program and have about a year left before I finish. I need to put that "on hold" and get back to work for financial reasons.

How can I document my pending masters degree on a resume so recruiters will see that I have been active since my last job? If I include this under the "Education" section at the end of the resume, it won't be seen.

Would it be appropriate to place it either in the introduction section that highlights my background, or under "Work Experience"? Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks... Valerie

Answer: I don't really understand why you don't think a hiring manager will see your pending degree if you list it, as you should, under Education. That is exactly where it belongs. I would definitely NOT put it in either of the other places you propose.

However, a really great place to point out something significant like this is in your cover letter, which should always accompany your resume. In there, you can explain that you have been in school and not working the past few years. Including the info in your cover letter and in the Education section of your resume should be more than sufficient.