What Tense to Use in a Resume Past or Present What Voice

What Tense to Use in a Resume Past or Present What Voice Whether you only start your job search journey, or youre on an intense career lookoutTheres probably one thing on your mind:Get ready for the new and leave the past behind!But wait a secondIn terms of work experience, the past matters. A lot!And so does the present.What tense to use on a resume to reflect both and create a professional resume experience section? Read on and get to know.In this article youll learn:When to use the past tense in your resumeWhat duties to describe using the present tenseHow to use the right resume tense to pass the ATS testWhat voice to use in a resume.Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. Its fast and easy to use. Plus, youll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.Sample resume made with our builderSee more templates and create your resume here.One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one pag e long, not three. With the same stuff.Create your resume nowLooking for more advice on how to write resumes? Check our dedicated guides:Resume FormatsResume LayoutHow to Make a ResumeBest Resume TemplatesResume Styles1Use Past Tense for Past PositionsShould a resume be in the past tense?The answer to this question seems straightforward:If you write about the pastuse the past tense, if you write about the presentuse the present tense.Thats the simplest rule.Whenever talking about the job you no longer do, use the past tense.To brush up on grammar:Most verbs in the past end with -ed, e.g., worked, discovered, designed. The irregular ones live their own lives though, like made, ran, oversaw.But dont just use any verbs when describing your job experienceIf you select them carefully, theyll become resume power words.So how to paint a vivid picture of what youve done so far?List your duties and achievements in bullet points (around 6 bullets for each position).Use resume action verbs in Past Simple (one verb per each bullet point).Dont go responsible for kind of style; choose verbs that name specific activities.Heres a list of example resume action verbs in the past tense:AcknowledgedAuthorizedBlendedCollaboratedContributedCreatedDiversifiedDelegatedDesignedDirectedExecutedEncouragedEnergizedFosteredGatheredHarmonizedInspiredIncreasedMadeMentoredMergedLedParticipatedPartneredPerformedProducedSet upTrainedVolunteeredAs you can see, they all name real actions.They lead the recruiter towards your work experience and career wins.Note: Perfect resumes dont use Perfect tenses. They also stay away from continuous forms. Keep your resume simplePresent or Past Simple.Pro Tip: Whenever you use resume action verbs, add a number to back them up. E.g., Increased sales by 20% in six months.If youre wondering how many jobs you should list on a resume, check out our dedicated guide: How Far Back Should a Resume Go?2Use Present Tense for Current Job DutiesPresent tense on a resume is for what you do now. As simple as that.Use the present tense to describe:Things you still do in your current job.Other relevant activities you perform after work.Voluntary actions you take regularly.Any activities related to industry associations you belong to.Verbs in the present tense are those without any eds added: brainstorm, reinvent, educate.Mixing Past and Present TenseBut what if there are projects in your current job that are already closed? Or you want to show the goals you achieved so far?Then (and only then!) you can combine the two tenses on a resume under one header.List your current duties using the present tense first. Then, follow up with the finished actions and accomplishments using the past tense. See the example below:Tenses on a ResumeESL TeacherVictoria High School, New York, NYMay 2016-nowKey Qualifications ResponsibilitiesTeachesESL to 60 students of diverse cultural backgrounds in an international classroom.Createsaudio-visual educational resources to help students develop their language skills.Preparesextra-curricular activities and after-school assistance for individual students.Providesmentoring for a new teaching assistant.Key AchievementsPlannedandruna 1-year educational program for beginner students that concluded with an intermediate-level final exam (100% positive exam scores).Wona Teacher of the Year award in 2017.Pro Tip: Whenever you use both the present and past tense on a resume, keep them separate. Dont change the tense here and there. Presentresponsibilities, pastachievements and completed tasks.One more thing.If youre updating your resume with new positions, remember to change the verb tense of your so far positions to past, and keep your current duties in the present tense.Whats the secret of writing an ideal resume? Find out in our article: *The* Perfect Resume: 8 Things the Best Resumes Have in Common3Choose the Right Tense and Optimize Your Resume for the ATSMost big companies nowadays use the Applicant Tracki ng System (ATS) that scans job seekers applications for resume keywords.It turns out that even the tense of the verb can affect the way ATS searches for results.If the job ad said research (present tense) and you went for researched (past tense) on your resumeATS will overlook the result.The only way to figure out which search terms the recruiter is likely to put into their ATS is to read the job description closely.You have to recognize the form of the keyword the company uses in the job ad and optimize your resume accordingly.For instance, when they use the verb inspire in the present tense, you can always change your resume phrase from inspired students to prepare creative projects to managed to inspire students' creativity.Such little optimizing tricks will help your resume beat the system.Read more about tailoring your resume to the job description in our guide: Targeted Resume: How to Match Your Resume to the Job You Want?When making a resume in our builder, drag drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building your resume here.Create my resume nowWhen youre done, Zetys resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.4Write Your Resume in Active VoiceThough we naturally use passive voice on a daily basis, it is not recommended for resume writing purposes.Why?Passive voice makes your resume less engaging to the reader and downplays your achievements.Lets take a look at some examples.Passive voice: Website traffic was increased by 150% in 12 months.Active voice: Increased website traffic by 150% in 12 months.Passive voice: A new marketing strategy was implemented resulting in 20% product sales growth.Active voice: Implemented a new marketing strategy and increased product sales by 20%.Why are the active voice examples better?Because they show you took responsibility and were directly involved.Plus, they are easier to read.Pro Tip: How can you identify youre using active or pass ive voice? If you can add by me at the end of the sentence, it means you are using passive voice (e.g. CRO was improved by 1.5% by me).Forcing passive voice onto your resume job description as a sign of formal detachment is old school.Hiring managers want to get to know you as a person. If they see you as the main character of the piecethey will identify with you.ButIf Im the one who speaks, can I use I in my resume?Even if youre writing your resume using active voice, avoid using the personal pronoun I.In a career summary or career objective and in your work experience section, say Developed a new marketing strategy instead of I developed a new marketing strategy. Thats a preferred form according to academic sources.Keen on other grammatical intricacies related to the job hunt? Check out our resume spelling guide: How to Spell Resume: Accents or Not? Resume, Rsum, Resum?Key TakeawayDescribe your past duties and accomplishments in the past tense.When referring to your current job: u se present tense for things you still do, use past tense for achievements.Optimize your resume for keywords to pass the ATS test.Avoid using passive voice and personal pronouns in your resume.Still wondering if resumes should be in the past tense or present tense? Did you face any problems with a resume tense when applying for a job? Drop me a line in the comments.

7 Steps to Revamp and Fuel Business - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

7 Steps to Revamp and Fuel Business - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Most likely you will agree that some weeks are better than others. In fact, some days and weeks are ones we wish we never experienced. The one culprit at the center of these unfortunate incidents is miscommunication. The biggest problem in front of us when miscommunication arises is the fact that we do not want to deal with it. Instead, frustration is allowed to run wild and it usually results in anger. The anger then has us never wanting to talk to the other person again. Even worse are the associated negative thoughts such as the idea of quitting. Without the perseverance you may as well give up your endeavor. How to Avoid Quitting: Blame Leave blame out of the conversation. Diplomatically suggest your ideas for resolving the issue and also ask for the other person’s thoughts. The idea of moving forward in harmony is likely to encourage getting the problem resolved. Hard Fact When you actually give up, all of the possibility you envisioned will vanish. The question becomes are you at a spot where you will be okay with that? If the answer is “no” then deeper thought needs to be given to the dilemma and how to best proceed. It is perseverance that will save the day. Hard Decision On occasion what you believe you agreed to turns out to be something entirely different. Give considerable thought to the project in terms of it being in alignment with your vision for the long-term or if appears not to fit that any longer. You may need to pull away in order to free up time to find an improved solution. Learn Instead of beating yourself up for seemingly making a foolish decision this may not necessarily be the case. When something does not perform, as you originally believed it should, there is always a lesson to be learned. These collective lessons make us wiser and prepare us to doing better in the future. Time Off Should you be truly concerned about continuing your business then take time off to enjoy life around you. Allow your mind to wander and reminisce about all of your most memorable experiences. This list should include both the worst and the best. Analyze the list for what each category has in common. Revamp Given you have a common thread of what you do not like, you will know what to avoid in the future. Now there is time to take the best of what you have achieved and convert that into something even more meaningful. Doing this will greatly increase the motivation to continue persevering through all the curve balls that life has to offer. Reward The irony of all these poor circumstance is that once we are past the hurdles pride in achievement is felt. And now you are positioned to make greater strides than if the event had never happened. Clientele and peers see you advancing more quickly and beyond previous expectations. Your perseverance works favorably for building a strong personal brand and much credibility. In turn, your faith in you becomes stronger than ever and leads to the Smooth Sale!

The thing we sometimes forget when were so darned focused on our careers. Career Coach JobJenny

The thing we sometimes forget when were so darned focused on our careers. Career Coach JobJenny I'm quite sure I'm a lot like most of you who come here as you seek a new job, or contemplate a major career shift.Sure, I have a job. A couple, in fact. So, while I'm not searching for a job, per se, I am nearly laser focused on building a business and career that I love. Something significant, that makes me proud, fulfilled and, certainly, financially comfortable.I want to live with enough income and flexibility to spend time traveling with my family, sharing major life experiences together...without having my throat close up each time I pull out the checkbook.I want to send my daughter through college.I want my work to matter.But, guess what?I also want my (near) husband, kids, extended family and friends to know that they matter. I want them to know damned straightthatI'm not just some (pardon the pun for those who know the industries I serve) dialed out robot, clattering away at my computerand iPhone all day,scrambling to amassmy littlefortune.I see an awful lot of this (or at l east, the appearance of this) going on within the social media circles these days. Online marketers and entrepreneurs touting the appeal of getting rich by carving one's own path. Yet you can tell they spend, oh, 21 hours a day in that effort.No thank you. That path doesn't look so great to me.Surely, I want to light it up with my career, and help as many laid off, struggling, and aspiring people as I possibly can. But this week?I'm going to marry my best friend. I'm going to watch my daughter walk down the aisle to her mom and new stepdad. And I'm going to officially gain two new children of my own.I'm going to raise a glass with my family, laugh with friends, and soak in every last stinking moment of this extraordinary life event.And I'm going to unplug for a couple of days while I do so.While my career is a passion, and also my livelihood...? I've got a really freaking big week going on here.So, please, if you would. Take some timethis week to remember that even when you feel lik e you must spend every waking hour thinking about, focusing on, obsessing about yourcareer?Significance and joypour from more than one faucet.Cheers, y'all! I'll be back next week.

The Pros and Cons of Graduate School in 2017

The Pros and Cons of Graduate School in 2017 We’re all in favor of career girls grabbing the bull by the horns and taking the workforce by storm, and a graduate degree can help you to make a name for yourself in the business world. Yes, earning a master’s degree, a Ph.D, or an MBA, as it turns out, may unlock the door to lots of opportunities. However, this doesn’t mean that graduate school is the only option for career success. So you need to consider your options to figure out what course of action is best for you. If you’re contemplating whether or not to further your education, read on for a look at the pros and cons of graduate school in 2017. PROS Opportunities One of the best reasons to consider earning an advanced degree such as an MBA is that it can open up a wealth of opportunities for you. Whether you want upwards career mobility within your existing company or to explore exciting opportunities elsewhere, an MBA could be your ticket towards a more fulfilling career financially, professionally, and personally . Earnings Potential Consider that the median starting salary offered by U.S. businesses to MBA graduates in 2016 is about $105,000, which might be a sizable enough pot of gold at the end of the rainbow to justify the costs and expenses associated with enduring the rigors of business school. While money isn’t everything, it doesn’t hurt to be able to pull in a six-figure salary for all of your hard work. Credibility When you can add a graduate degree to your resume, you’ll show headhunters, HR departments, and recruiters that you’re serious about your career. Indeed, an MBA or any other graduate degree will be the sort of thing that gets you shortlisted for interviews and will be the type of differentiator that allows you to leapfrog ahead of the competition. So if that sort of thing drives you, then applying for an advanced degree is an option worth combing over. CONS Costs Expenses If you don’t relish the idea of going into debt to finance your education, then you might find the cost of a graduate degree to be prohibitive. One source calculates that it can cost in the range of $100,000 to $200,000 worth of debt as well as expenses for a two-year MBA. That eye-watering amount can, over time, be offset by the earning potential post-graduation, but you have to be willing to take on the debt and expenses before enjoying the promised reward. Time You can expect to spend at least a couple of years, if you study full-time, to earn a graduate degree. Depending on your situation, you simply may not want to put your career on hold for a period that can be measured in terms of years rather than merely in weeks or months. After all, an MBA or any other graduate degree can be taken later on in the event that you wish to take advantage of job opportunities here and now.   If you are looking for more flexibility, consider an online Master of Business Administration course. Promotions While business school is an investment, you may have to pass on promotion opportunities and the possibility of getting your dream job while you invest time into earning your graduate degree. Yes, there is a possible payback after you earn your advanced degree.  But are you willing to pass on what might be your dream job now as you go back to school for a few years? If graduate school is something you may be interested in, you need to think about what it is you want to get out of it and whether or not it makes sense to apply now versus later. The pros and cons listed above should give you some food for thought as you mull over the possibilities. Good luck! Image credits. Main.   Graduate.     Group.

Drafting, Writing, Research Skills Resumes

Drafting, Writing, Research Skills ResumesThere are a lot of different aspects involved in creating a successful resume. The skill needed to write one depends on many things such as the type of work you have done, your educational background, the skills you have acquired through your job experience, and your education level. For those who are starting out and have not had a lot of experience in resume writing, the following will help you with your resume.If you have only recently graduated or just got started in a new career then you need to be sure that you have included your previous work experience. Most companies ask for past jobs so you need to be able to provide them with this information. Using your resume for a future employer is going to be a major selling point for you.You should also try to include your education in your resume as well. You can use your current education to show how much experience you have acquired in the field you are applying for. Also make sure that yo u have listed all of your credits in order to clearly state what you have accomplished in your education.When it comes to your research skills, you want to address some of the major points in your resume. One of the things you should really focus on is your educational background, because it helps your employer to see how much experience you have in the field you are applying for. Also make sure that you have included any awards or degrees that you may have.Another thing to consider when creating a draft resume for your research skills is your professional experience. Showing your work experience will show the company that you are truly capable of doing the job they need you to do. You want to be prepared in advance for anything and make sure that you get all of the facts before submitting your resume.When creating your resume for your writing skills, think about how you might be able to demonstrate how you can offer unique ideas. You should provide details on your latest published book or article. This will allow the employer to see that you are a creative thinker and that you can produce content of value for their company.Finally, you want to make sure that your resume is easy to read. This will help the employer decide if you are a good fit for the position. Remember that they are looking for someone who will communicate with them in an easy to understand manner.Always remember that just as there are so many things to take into consideration when creating a resume, so are there so many ways to format it. Remember that the final goal is to present yourself as an applicant that is able to perform the duties of the job that you are applying for.

Which Season is Your Career In

Which Season is Your Career In Which Season is Your Career In? Which Season is Your Career In? December 12, 2012 by Career Coach Sherri Thomas Leave a Comment I recently had a client,  David, who after  15+ years of employment, advancement and promotions with the same company, found his career at  a  standstill.   His manager encouraged him to stay put because opportunities may be on the horizon, but with downsizing and layoffs happening across other departments  David saw a bleak future ahead of him and decided to take control of his career and look for a new job.   Like many people in David’s situation, career changes can be difficult to face.    But career changes are a part of life.   And the quicker you can recognize change and make adjustments in your career, the easier and more successful your career will be. Just like the weather, careers have seasons.    The springtime is like starting out in a new job.   Everything is fresh, new, and exciting.   The summer is when you hit your stride, you’re confident, making significant contributions, and your job is actually FUN! During the fall, you’re a seasoned veteran in your comfort zone and an expert in your role.   Strangely, this is also the time when many professionals and executives begin thinking about a career change.   Some become antsy for a new challenge or a bigger step up the corporate ladder  to change into a deeper, more meaningful career. David  was in the winter season of his career.   This is the final phase of your job  when you realize that change is inevitable, and that you must move on.   Whether you find yourself being pushed out of the nest due to corporate mergers or downsizing, or you’ve made the decision for change on your own, the quicker you recognize and respond to change,  the quicker you can take control and get your career on the RIGHT track. Most professionals change careers 4-7 times during their lifetime.  For David, it was  his 3rd,   and I’m happy to say that he navigated through the storm beautifully.    We created a step-by-step career transition plan  and within just a few weeks he was considering job offers from two different companies.   If your career is in a fall or winter season, then here is your assignment… Start exploring all of the opportunities  around you. If you’re currently employed, then consider taking on new projects or joining teams that excite you or at minimum, help strengthen a skill and boost your resume.   Also, beef up your professional network  by attending industry conferences, training seminars, and business networking events to talk to other professionals and discover new career opportunities. Learn about the skills and qualifications required to move into those new jobs. If you’re feeling ‘stuck’  and not sure where you want to go or how to get there, invest in a few  personal career coaching  sessions with a qualified career coach.     The point is to take control of your career.    Identify which season you’re in and if it’s time for a change â€" then get on with it.   Do the work necessary to get through the storm and you’ll find that your career (and your life) welcome a fresh new start. â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"-     Need a few gift ideas this holiday season?     Check out these great gifts to help someone on your list jump start their new career My brand new Six Week, Six Step Career Change Program is having amazing success with professionals and executives who want a new career!  You can read some of the testimonials on the web page.  This is the perfect gift for someone who needs help getting hired into a new career, and includes the Career Change Boot Camp 2-CD program, the e-book Interviewing Smart Insider Secrets to Getting the Job, professional, customizable and proven resume templates, and The Salary Compensation Guide to help you negotiate the best deal for you!   My special Career Change Boot Camp Program  is the most popular gift this holiday season, and is  a complete do-it-yourself self study program that includes step-by-step strategies, tools and resources to help you change careers quickly and easily.  Includes 2 CDs, eWorkbook and transcripts so you can get started immediately!   My newly published book, THE BOUNCE BACK personal stories of bouncing back higher and faster after a layoff, re-org or career setback  provides personal stories, strategies and lessons learned from myself and 13 other professionals who navigated through career setbacks to come out on top! Available in hardcover and Kindle formats on  AMAZON  and  Barnes Noble.     Book, CAREER SMART 5 Steps to a Powerful Personal Brand on AMAZONs TOP 10 LIST for personal branding books!  Available in hardcover, Kindle and audio on  AMAZON  and  Barnes Noble.   Sherri Thomas is a Career Strategist, international speaker and best-selling author of  â€œThe Bounce Back”  and  â€œCareer Smart â€" 5 Steps to a Powerful Personal Brand.  â€œ Get more tips and strategies on how you can bounce back from a layoff, re-org, bad manager or other career threatening setback in Sherris new book, “The Bounce Back” now available on  AMAZON  and  BARNES NOBLE. You can download three FREE chapters of THE BOUNCE BACK at  http://www.MyBounceBack.com

How to Use Facebook Marketing For Your Hotel or Airbnb [Infographic]

How to Use Facebook Marketing For Your Hotel or Airbnb [Infographic] Photo via Foter.com Photo via Foter.com Whether you own or manage a hotel or maybe are considering renting out your home on Airbnb, this infographic could help you boost your business. With the advent of widespread Internet connectivity and the ubiquity of smartphones, tablets, laptops and the like, we have seen the proliferation of social media platforms such as Facebook all over the globe. Facebook is a networking platform that initially started out as something used by individuals to connect and engage with one another. Its interface quickly spread into a business tool, allowing businesses in practically any niche to engage with their target audience. Today, this is largely operated on a paid basis as in businesses will pay extra to have their posts seen by the precise customer group they are targeting. For hotels, Facebook presents customers with another opportunity to leave a review of their accommodation which of course can be positive or negative. If a hotel has a Facebook page and by and large, they should have one, then it is vital that someone is assigned the responsibility of managing and monitoring it. If the hotel is large enough, this might be something that is done by an outside third party. Alternatively, if it’s managed in-house the person assigned perhaps should have some training in the area in order to ensure they are running it as optimally as possible. The people at Ard na Sidhe have put together this inforgraphic which details everything a hotel needs to know about Facebook and its power within the hotel marketing niche. It outlines the basics of setting up a profile; it examines some interesting statistics about Facebook and it delivers some expert advice. Check out the full infographic below.