Should education go before or after work experience on a resume?

Put education first if you are a student, a recent graduate or your degree is the main requirement for the job. Put work experience first once you have relevant professional experience.

Common situations:

• Fresh graduate or student: education first, because it is your strongest qualification.
• One to three years of experience: experience first, unless your degree is very recent and highly relevant.
• Experienced professional: experience first; education becomes a short section near the end.
• Career changer with a new qualification: consider putting the new qualification near the top, perhaps in your summary.
• Academic, medical or research roles: education is often near the top regardless of experience, as it is a key requirement.

There is no strict rule. Ask which section gives the reader the best evidence that you fit the job, and put that first.