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Subject:Re: pronouns in resumes From:ActionA -at- aol -dot- com To:techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com Date:Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:51:45 EDT
I have no I's in my resume. I do have many bulleted lists. So "I initiated
experiments..." becomes "* Initiated experiments...."
Nancy Adams
In a message dated 6/17/2009 5:26:11 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
wabbitoid47 -at- yahoo -dot- com writes:
In my constant search for work, I often ask recruiters about resume style.
I have yet to find one that cares all that much. They look for skills
and experience, which I lay out as efficiently as possible.
The problem with banning pronouns is that it creates a tendency toward
passive voice. "I initiated experiments that proved" becomes "Experiments
were initiated, proving". Active verbs are by far the most compelling, and if
they require a pronoun then by all means a pronoun is called for.
Naturally, I'm at the lower end of the spectrum and my experience may be
different. I submit the best writing samples I have and use active voice to
directly and concisely stake my claim. If that's not how it is done at
the highest levels I suppose I will be forever scratching.
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