Use strong action verbs
Start each bullet point with a verb, not "Responsible for…".
| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| Responsible for the team roster | Managed rosters for a team of 12 |
| Helped customers | Resolved 40+ customer enquiries a day |
| Did stock checks | Reduced stock errors by 15% through weekly audits |
| Was part of a project | Coordinated a store refit with three contractors |
More verbs: achieved, built, delivered, improved, led, organised, supported, trained.
Tense rules
- Current job: present tense (Manage, Support).
- Past jobs: past tense (Managed, Supported).
- No "I" at the start of bullet points.
Choose one spelling style
Match the country you're applying in: British-style spelling (organise, colour, centre, used in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries) or American spelling (organize, color, center, used in the US and often in Canada). Mixing the two looks careless. Check your resume with our spelling consistency checker.
Common language mistakes
- Mixing tenses in one job.
- Very long sentences. Keep bullets to one line where possible.
- Unexplained abbreviations from your home country.
- Overused phrases like "hard-working team player". Show it with an example instead.
Frequently asked questions
What should a resume include?
Usually contact details, a short summary, work experience, skills and education. What else to include (references, a photo, personal details) depends on the country, so check what's normal where you're applying.
Should I use British or American spelling?
Use the style of the country you're applying in, and keep it the same all the way through: organise and colour (British style) or organize and color (American).
Should I start bullet points with 'I'?
No. Start each bullet with a strong verb, like 'Managed' or 'Improved'.