Have you been told to leave out words like 'the,' 'a,' and 'an' on your resume? We'll show you if that advice still holds up today and share some essential tips for writing a top-notch resume.
Why Your Words Matter
Choosing the right words on your resume shows your professionalism and attention to detail. Bad grammar might get your resume thrown away quickly, especially with lots of people competing for jobs.
- First-Person Perspective: Write in the first person but skip pronouns like 'I', 'me', and 'my'. Start your sentences with strong action verbs.
- Consistent Tense: Use the present tense for jobs you have now and past tense for old jobs. It helps employers follow your career story easily.
- Keep it Short: Try to keep sentences under 20 words. Short and clear sentences are easier and faster to read.
Why Skip Articles?
Leaving out articles in your resume has been old advice to keep things short and simple. Is it still good advice today?
- Clear and Brief: Dropping articles makes your language clear and direct.
- Easy to Read: Sentences without articles are quick to read, helping recruiters notice important details.
- More Space: Resumes usually need to fit on one or two pages. Cutting out small words gives room for big achievements and skills.
Update Your Resume Today
Whether you use articles or not, what matters is that your resume is clear, professional, and easy to read. Here are some tips to make your resume shine:
1. Highlight Achievements
Use bullet points to show your achievements, not just your duties. Numbers make your successes stand out, like 'Increased sales by 20% in three months'.
2. Use Strong Action Words
Start each bullet point with action verbs like 'developed', 'managed', and 'planned'. This grabs attention. Avoid passive language.
3. Optimize for ATS
Many companies use systems to scan resumes. Include industry keywords from job postings. Make your resume clean and free from special characters that might confuse the system.
4. Stay Professional
No slang or jokes. Use simple, readable fonts like Arial or Times New Roman. Keep font sizes between 10 and 14 points.
5. Get Feedback
Ask someone else to review your resume for mistakes. If you're unsure, consider professional help for polishing your resume.
What to Put on Your Resume
Think about including these sections in your resume:
- Header: Your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile.
- Objective or Summary: One or two sentences about your career goals and key skills.
- Professional Experience: List your past jobs, roles, and achievements in bullet points.
- Education: Schools, degrees, and GPA (if it's high).
- Skills: Both hard skills (like software) and soft skills (like communication).
- Certifications and Awards: Any relevant awards or certificates.
- Interests (Optional): Personal interests that show who you are.
Summary
Taking out articles in your resume helps make it clear and easy to read. Employers agree that readability and clarity are key. Show your achievements with strong action words in a clear, concise way. Keep your resume updated and aligned with current job market trends. Present your professional story effectively and make it stand out.