Are professional publications and journal articles worthwhile to include in resume for specialty role in IT?

Question

I am currently updating my resume to reflect new responsibilities assumed in my current position. I am thinking of creating a new section on resume to include publications, professional journal articles, and Linked articles I have written in my profession of cybersecurity. Several have been well received by my professional network, and I am working with editorial board of a professional organization to see if they are able to accept a publication for inclusion in their official magazine for members.

For someone in an senior role, how worthwhile would these publications be considered? Would future hiring managers see these as evidence of passion commitment, and well - honed communication ability?

Answer 1

It definitely won't hurt you (almost always) to put them in provided the opinion of the community/industry hasn't turned against you. If you have a large array of publications, consider selecting your top three and presenting them under "Selected Publications". Just like any kind of public available information, be aware that there is a wide gamut of opinions on a lot of topics, so anything more controversial will have a lower chance to aid you.

Answer 2

Placement is the key

It generally never hurts including the information in your resume. However, where, what, and how much you choose to place in your resume is something you can put some thought into.

• Is including a select few of them going to influence the chances of you getting hired? If yes, sure display the section prominently, maybe even on the first page.

• Is it just an additional item showcasing one of your skill/achievement? You can put it in a later page.

To conclude, the inclusion may play a crucial role in one job and not make much of a difference in another. You'd be better off maintaining different versions of your resume and/or customize it based on the job you are applying for.

You should even consider handpicking which publications to list in your resume, based on the role, when applying for a particular job.

If you maintain a personal website, it would be a good idea to link to the articles from your website. You can always mention your website address in the resume, as it lets hiring personnel easily browse through any/all information about you.

Answer 3

Yes, your publications are great to include on your resume if you're eager to share them and believe they demonstrate your capabilities.

Beyond your technical knowledge, your publications demonstrate:

• Your ability to effectively document what you know - you're able to write down your own knowledge in a way that is easy for others to understand and make use of
• Your willingness to share knowledge - you've made efforts to share what you know and you'll likely take time to share your knowledge with future colleagues
• Your personal interest in your professional work - you're not the kind of person who's in it just for a paycheck, you actually enjoy what you're doing
• You're open to criticism and broad review of your work - You posted your compositions for large audiences, including topical experts, to review and criticize
• You can "get the job done" - you took the articles to completion, having a real publication is a rare accomplishment