The Fine Print of Resume Writing: The Case of the Vanishing Period

In the dynamic landscape of professional development, we often find ourselves pondering over the minutiae of resume writing. Today, let's address a query that, while seemingly trivial, has profound implications for our resumes: "Do you put periods at the end of sentences in resumes?"

 

Let's unravel this mystery. While resumes don't usually adhere strictly to conventional grammatical rules, they should embody clarity, consistency, and professionalism. So, how does the humble period fit into this context?

 

The answer lies in understanding the nature of resume content. Resumes typically comprise bullet points, each one succinctly capturing a skill, accomplishment, or responsibility. Since these are not complete sentences but rather fragmented insights, they generally don't require a period at the end.

 

Here's an example:

  • Managed team of 5 members

  • Initiated and implemented cost-saving measures

  • Exceeded sales targets by 20% annually

Notice how each point is crisp and concise, communicating a discrete piece of information. The absence of periods underscores this brevity, ensuring your accomplishments stand out unobstructed. 

However, if your resume includes complete sentences or a mix of phrases and sentences, it is acceptable to use periods where appropriate to maintain grammatical correctness and readability. But remember, consistency is key. If you use a period at the end of one bullet point, ensure that you do so for all others.

 

For instance:

  • I managed a team of 5 members.

  • My initiatives led to the implementation of cost-saving measures.

  • Exceeded sales targets by 20% annually.

In this case, the first two bullet points are complete sentences and require periods. The third, being a phrase, doesn't require one, but it's added for consistency.

 

Ultimately, the decision to use periods in your resume is largely a matter of style and preference. Whether you opt to include them or not, maintain a consistent pattern throughout your resume to ensure a clean, professional presentation.

 

The art of resume writing lies in navigating these intricate details, transforming them into tools that effectively convey your professional narrative. With every punctuation mark, word choice, and formatting decision, we subtly shape our personal brand, optimizing our potential for success.

 

If you found this discussion insightful and wish to delve deeper into aspects of professional branding, resume building, and career growth, I invite you to follow me here on LinkedIn. I regularly share thoughts, tips, and foster dialogues on these subjects.

 

Stay tuned to my feed for the latest trends and strategies in our dynamic professional landscape. Together, let's continue refining our professional narratives, paving the way towards our career goals.