Resume writing is a highly marketable skill that is often undervalued. However, as a society, we need to understand that it is no joke to produce an employment record with the correct point of view. It is rather a blessing that you understand how exactly this official document should be written. So, for those who don’t know, this blog will be carefully addressing the following points:
- What is the first-person implied approach?
- How do you express your achievements without sounding boastful?
- Why is 3rd person POV a big no for CV writing?
- Understanding the hybrid approach.
The Correct POV for Your Next Resume
Imagine that the employer is reading your job application form, and every sentence he reads starts with either an ‘I’ or ‘My.’
A CV that sounds like this is a total disaster, and the hiring manager will not be entertaining such unprofessional behavior. The very first problem here is the consistent use of first-person pronouns. The correct way of using it is through the first-person approach implied.
This means that all the verbs used will be in the first person – did instead of does and implemented instead of implements. As a result, the correct version of the sample text above would look something like this:
What do you think now? Which one of the two looks clearer, more professional, crisp, to the point, and more convincing? Of course, the second one is because it conveys the message from a subjective point of view in a professional CV.
Moreover, it feels like the narrative is coming from an individual, not a group, which is exactly like it should be. In addition, this approach is the only recommended way of expressing your achievements and strengths without sounding self-centred.
The Hybrid Model and the Analysis of Both Points of View
As discussed above, one approach is to use the implied version of the first person, but it has its own disadvantages, according to the experts. For example, though the 1st person feels more direct and helps develop a connection with the employer, it can come off as less professional.
Additionally, not all hiring managers might accept it, calling the resume too informal for professional interaction. So, the solution is the middle path – the hybrid approach, where both 1st and 3rd person usage is in moderation.
This way, your official employment record will appear formal, professional, relevant, and precise all at once. It will also be neutral, candid, and non-pretentious. The formula of this hybrid approach is pretty simple: one part 1st person and two parts 3rd person!
- You start writing the CV by mentioning your personal details.
- Then, you list down the education precisely in bullet points.
- Later, when it is time to mention the job experiences, you include short first-person paragraphs.
- These should be a maximum of 4 lines and should include the major responsibilities that you were handling in that role.
- Do not forget to mention exactly how you were adding value to your team.
- Now, once this is done, you switch to the third person and, without any personal pronouns, you list down your accomplishments.
- It is better that you do it in bullet points. It becomes more readable and comprehensible for the reader.
Significant Benefits of the Hybrid Model
This middle ground is more effective than any other way of writing a perfect CV because it lays out all the crucial information in front of the employer in a few seconds. It is almost like serving an edible on plates and distributing. Moreover, when the employer gets exactly the information he is looking for, it eventually helps him make informed decisions effortlessly.
Furthermore, there is no pointless repetition of first-person/personal pronouns that only make readability worse. Finally, this is the uninterruptedness, conciseness, and formality needed for a professional resume.
Some Other Do’s and Don’ts of Resume Writing
The Frequently Asked Questions of a Job-Seeking Candidate
Q. Is it okay to speak in the first person when writing a resume?
Yes, the document has to be written in the first person, but without the pronoun. The repeated usage of ‘I’ can be a big distraction. Therefore, instead of writing, ‘I helped achieve a 50% boost in sales, ‘ simply write, ‘I helped achieve…’
Q. Should I include my older job experiences in the document?
Your employee record has to mention your previous jobs, but only those of the last 10 to 15 years. It is the safest choice and is suggested by several employers.
Q. What is the ten-second resume rule?
The 10-second rule says that recruiters and hiring managers only spend about this small fraction of time skimming through the document. If, in these 10 seconds, they find something worth staying, they keep the file. Otherwise, it is discarded.
Q. What font color and style should I be using?
The optimal choice is to go for black fonts. They make everything super readable and accessible. However, regarding font style, you should consider using a simple sans-serif font, such as Arial or Calibri. They are enough to give off a professional look.
Summing Up: How to Write a Flawless Employment Record
A resume is an official record written by job applicants in an attempt to interest the hiring manager. Inside it is all detailed information about previous job experiences, the achievements, the skills, and the educational background.
However, the biggest problem in writing an employment record is that people often write it with third-person pronouns. This is not at all advisable; not even first-person pronouns are allowed. So, make sure that the point of view is clear before you start writing. Otherwise, your document will go straight to the bin.
