What does Major mean on a resume? The correct way to write a major to bypass the ATS (Guide 2026)

What does the word Major mean on a resume and what do employers mean by it?

Correct concept: Academic specialization and its direct impact on job acceptance

In the context of resume and job application writing in English, the word Major The "major" that you focused on during your undergraduate studies. It's the area you spent the most time studying and defines your primary academic path. But for employers in Saudi Arabia, it's more than just the name of a subject; it's an indicator of "Constituent Efficiency".

When a hiring manager (Recruiter) reads the specialization on your resume, they are looking for an answer to two questions:

1. Does this candidate have Cognitive basis necessary to do the job without extensive training?
2. Does the candidate have Passion and commitment towards this field?

Therefore, writing the Major accurately and clearly is the first step in connecting your qualifications to the job requirements. Mistyping the major or using an unfamiliar term may result in your resume being immediately disqualified, especially if the automated system (ATS) is programmed to search for specific keywords such as "Marketing" or "Computer Science".

An important equation for beginners: The essential difference between Degree and Major

Many recent graduates confuse "educational qualification" with "specialization," confusing the resume reader. To clearly understand the difference, remember this simple equation: Degree + Major = your undergraduate degree

• Degree: This is the academic rank you receive, such as a Bachelor's, Master's, or Diploma.
• Major(s): This is the specific subject you studied for that degree, such as Accounting or Civil Engineering.

When writing a resume, you need to make the relationship between them clear. Don't just write "Bachelor" or "Finance". A professional format combines the two.

Practical steps: How to write and format a Major on a resume professionally

Strategic place: Should specialization be placed before or after the university name?

The order of information in the Education Section depends on what you want to highlight. The general rule of thumb in the Saudi market and international companies is Start with the degree and specialization firstthen the name of the university, then the graduation date.

Why? Because employers are more interested in "what you studied" (your skills) than "where you studied" (the name of the place). The only exception to this rule is if you graduated from a very prestigious international university (such as Harvard or Oxford) or a leading Saudi university (such as KFUPM or KAUST) and are targeting a job where the name of the university is a deciding factor.

Suggested formula (safest):

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering King Saud University, Riyadh May 2024

For recent graduates vs. experienced: How does the approach to highlighting academic specialization differ?

• For Fresh Graduates: Your specialization is your strongest card. Therefore, the education section should be placed in Top Resume Right after the personal summary. Don't just list the name of your major, add a bulleted list of "Relevant Coursework". This shows the company that you have studied subjects that match the job requirements.
  • Example: Marketing major with courses such as: Digital Marketing, Consumer Behavior, Market Research.
• Experienced Professionals: Your work experience is the most important. Therefore, the education department is moving to Bottom of the resume After the work experience section. In this case, it is enough to mention your degree, specialization, university name, and year of graduation, without having to list the academic details, because your achievements at work speak for you.

The GPA dilemma: When should you write it down and when is it best to hide it?

The perennial question: "Should I put my GPA on my resume?". The answer depends on the number and the competition.

• Write it down if it is: A high and honorable GPA (e.g. 3.5/4.0 or 4.5/5.0 or higher), or if you received Honors. In Saudi Arabia, many graduate programs at major companies (such as Aramco or SABIC) require a specific GPA, so mentioning it saves time and proves your eligibility.
• Hide it if it is: The rate is low (less than 3.0/4.0) or does not add value. Remember that A resume is a marketing tool, not a legal document that is obligated to include every negative detail. If the employer doesn't explicitly ask for the GPA, and your GPA doesn't serve you, it's best to focus on skills and projects instead.

Smart strategies: How to behave if your major has nothing to do with the job?

Shifting the focus from academics to Transferable Skills

Don't let the name of your major get in the way. If you're a history graduate applying for a sales position, don't be ashamed of your major, rephrase it. Focus on Transferred skills that you gained while studying. Instead of focusing on memorizing dates, highlight your skills in: "research and analysis," "writing complex reports," "critical thinking," and "understanding cultural contexts." These are all essential skills in sales and marketing. On a resume, use the "Skills" section to translate your academic studies into the language of business.

How to use minors and projects to bridge the gap with a job

If the Major is away from the function, the Minor (Minors or university projects are a lifeline. Let's say your major is "English Literature" but you want to work in "Human Resource Management". If you took any electives in management or psychology, or did a senior project involving questionnaires and data analysis, you should highlight these details under the education section.

Practical example: An English graduate applying for a marketing job

Bachelor of Arts in English Language & Literature King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah

• Focus: Advanced Business Communication & Creative Writing.
• Senior Project: "Analysis of Persuasive Language in Digital Media" - (a project that shows your understanding of persuasion and marketing).
• Relevant Skills: Content Creation, Translation, Cross-cultural Communication.

Guide to translating common Saudi majors into English (for ATS compatibility)

The correct way to write Sharia, Law and Arabic majors in English

Arabic and Islamic majors struggle with accurate translations that are understood by the system and international companies. A literal translation may hurt your chances. Here are the accepted standard terms:

• Sharia/Islamic Studies:
  • (NG) Sharia/Islamic Religion
  • (OK) Islamic Law / Islamic Studies (Islamic Law is preferred if you are applying for legal jobs).
• Arabic:
  • (NG) Arabic
  • (OK) Arabic Language and Literature (It looks more professional and academic).
• Regulations/Law:
  • In Saudi Arabia, the college is often called "systems," but in an English resume, write it Law or Legal Studies to be globally visible.

List of globally recognized technical and engineering terms in resume writing

In technical majors, accuracy is everything. Using abbreviations can confuse the ATS.

Comparison table: Mistranslation vs. Correct Translation

Checklist: 5 points to review before sending a resume

Matching keywords in your specialty to the job description

Before you hit "Submit", read the Job Description carefully. Are they searching for "Finance" and you wrote "Banking"? Even though they are similar, the ATS may prefer the word in the ad. If your specialty allows, try to use the term closest to what's mentioned in the job description (as long as it's honest and accurate).

Review spelling and abbreviations to avoid automated rejections from recruitment systems

Misspellings in the name of your major are disastrous. The word "Enginering" (minus the "e") can make you look unprofessional and fail an automated search. Use correction tools and make sure you write the full name.

Major's final checklist

1. ✅ Clarity: Have you clearly written the name of the degree (Bachelor) and the name of the major (Major)?
2. ✅ Place: Is its location appropriate for your experience (top for graduates, bottom for experts)?
3. ✅ Spelling: Have you made sure that the name of the major is misspelled (Engneering ❌ -> Engineering ✅)?
4. ✅ Compatibility: Is the English term used the globally recognized standard term?
5. ✅ Value: Did you only add (modifier, materials or projects) if they add real value?

Conclusion: Summary of key points

To conclude this guide, here are the most important points to remember to ensure that the Major in your resume is written professionally:

• The difference between Major and Degree: Always remember the equation (Qualification + Major). Major is "what you studied" (e.g. Engineering), and Degree is "the degree you earned" (e.g. Bachelor's).
• Convenient location: If you're a recent graduate, put your major at the top of the resume to grab attention. If you have work experience, move it to the bottom and focus on your professional achievements.
• Override the ATS: Use standard English terms when translating majors (especially Arabic and Islamic majors) and avoid incomprehensible abbreviations to ensure that your resume is not automatically rejected.
• Elasticity: If your major doesn't exactly match the job, rely on Transferable Skills and class projects to bridge the gap and convince the employer of your abilities.

Thank you for reading this article to the end. We hope this information has demystified the term Major and helped you take actionable steps to improve your resume. Your quest for knowledge and attention to detail is the first step to professional success. We wish you all the best in getting the job you aspire to in the Saudi market.