Resume Language

Different types of writing require different levels of formality. Resumes are formal documents requiring formal presentation and language. However it is important that you use plain English i.e. writing that is easily understood and written. This means using:

• Familiar words
• Simple sentences
• Conversation and friendly style
• Active voice

What makes something formal or informal?

An example of a formal document is an essay or report that you may write for your studies. When writing these documents you often use a passive voice and avoid using ‘I’, ‘we’ or ‘they’ and emotive verbs.

However, when you write a resume you need to use an active voice. The strength of writing in this way is that it gets the reader involved, is more likely to produce a reaction, makes your writing sound more courteous and pleasant, and more informative and precise.

What is active or passive voice?

The active voice places emphasis on the subject or doer of an action in a sentence. It is often more direct and personal and creates sentences that are shorter in length. e.g. Peter carried the book.

The passive voice emphasises the receiver of the action. e.g. The book was carried by Peter.

The passive voice is used to:

• Focus on issues / information / processes rather than the subject of the action
• Avoid a personal tone and eliminate the use of personal pronouns, e.g. 'I', 'you' and 'we'.

It is important that you use an active rather than a passive voice when describing your skills in your resume.

Action Verbs

Verbs that describe the task you completed are a great way to start sentences in a resume. Look at the following statements and choose which sentence sounds more decisive and energetic.

“I had a job where I served customers, made coffees and sandwiches and operated the cash register.”

OR

“Served customers in a confident and efficient manner in a busy café environment. Experienced in juggling multiple tasks at once and dealing with people from a wide range of backgrounds.”

The first sentence makes the author sound slow and indecisive; the second suggests energy and action and highlights the skills achieved.