When crafting a resume, one of the most critical decisions is choosing the correct verb tense to describe your work experience and skills. The correct answer depends on the type of job you’re applying for, your current employment status, and the specific experiences you’re highlighting. In general, it’s recommended to use a mix of past and present tense on your resume, depending on the context.
For most jobs, it’s essential to use the past tense when describing previous work experience. This is because you’re describing actions that have already been completed. Using the past tense helps to convey a sense of accomplishment and finality, which can be particularly effective when highlighting achievements and successes in previous roles. For example:
- Managed a team of 10 employees to achieve a 25% increase in sales revenue.
- Developed and implemented a new marketing strategy that resulted in a 50% increase in brand awareness.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to launch a new product, which exceeded sales projections by 20%.
On the other hand, if you’re currently employed or engaged in an ongoing project, it’s best to use the present tense to describe your responsibilities and achievements. This helps to convey a sense of continuity and relevance, which can be particularly effective when highlighting your current skills and experience. For example:
- Currently leading a team of 15 employees to develop and launch a new product line.
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive marketing strategy to increase brand awareness and drive sales.
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to improve process efficiency and reduce costs.
In some cases, you may also use the present perfect tense to describe ongoing experiences or skills that have been developed over time. The present perfect tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and continue up to the present moment. For example:
- Have been managing a team of employees for over 5 years, with a proven track record of success.
- Have developed expertise in digital marketing, with a focus on social media and content creation.
- Have been working on a variety of projects, including product launches, marketing campaigns, and process improvements.
To determine the best approach for your resume, consider the following factors:
- Job type: If you’re applying for a job in a field that values achievements and accomplishments, such as sales or marketing, you may want to focus on using the past tense to describe your experiences. On the other hand, if you’re applying for a job in a field that values ongoing skills and experience, such as IT or engineering, you may want to focus on using the present tense.
- Current employment status: If you’re currently employed, you may want to use the present tense to describe your responsibilities and achievements. If you’re not currently employed, you may want to focus on using the past tense to describe your previous experiences.
- Specific experiences: Consider the specific experiences and skills you’re highlighting on your resume. If you’re describing a completed project or achievement, use the past tense. If you’re describing an ongoing experience or skill, use the present tense.
By choosing the correct verb tense and using a mix of past and present tense on your resume, you can create a compelling and effective document that showcases your skills and experiences.
For example, consider the following resume snippet:
- Marketing Manager, XYZ Corporation (2018-2020)
- Managed a team of 10 employees to achieve a 25% increase in sales revenue.
- Developed and implemented a new marketing strategy that resulted in a 50% increase in brand awareness.
- Current Role, ABC Company (2020-Present)
- Currently leading a team of 15 employees to develop and launch a new product line.
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive marketing strategy to increase brand awareness and drive sales.
In this example, the past tense is used to describe the previous work experience, while the present tense is used to describe the current role and responsibilities.
What is the best verb tense to use on a resume?
+The best verb tense to use on a resume depends on the context. For previous work experience, use the past tense to describe completed actions and achievements. For current employment or ongoing experiences, use the present tense to convey continuity and relevance.
How do I choose between past and present tense on my resume?
+Consider the job type, your current employment status, and the specific experiences you're highlighting. Use the past tense for completed projects and achievements, and the present tense for ongoing experiences and skills.
What is the present perfect tense, and how do I use it on my resume?
+The present perfect tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and continue up to the present moment. Use it to describe ongoing experiences or skills that have been developed over time, such as "Have been managing a team of employees for over 5 years" or "Have developed expertise in digital marketing".
By following these guidelines and using a mix of past and present tense on your resume, you can create a compelling and effective document that showcases your skills and experiences. Remember to consider the job type, your current employment status, and the specific experiences you’re highlighting, and use the verb tense that best conveys your message.
