Writing Resume in Past Tense

Writing Resume in Past TenseOne of the most common mistakes I see is people writing resumes in past tense. This can be disastrous and cause you to get turned down for jobs and even for internships! Instead, use the present tense throughout the resume. This will help you set yourself apart from other applicants.Let's start with an example. If you want to apply for a job as a clerk at a retail store, instead of just writing 'clerksman', you need to be more specific by writing, 'sales clerk'. Then, when your resume gets posted, employers will be able to quickly identify your skills and qualifications. Of course, most resumes will look similar so you may want to customize yours a bit by using the present tense and listing your experiences in each skill or responsibility. If you have more than one experience listed, list them in present tense.Next, you should also be sure to thank your current employer for giving you the opportunity to do your work for them. Then, if you do not have a job lined up, write down your reason for not having one and thank your potential employer for their time and consideration. In fact, you may want to include a resume bio box at the end of your resume that mentions why you were not employed.Although many of us are used to reading resumes that are formatted like business letters, there are many cases where the content and format can be very different from what you would write for prospective and future employers. This means that you need to be very careful about what you write. Be certain that you keep your letter to the point and concise. Avoid trying to impress your future employer with lengthy letters or rambling stories.Also, make sure you do not forget to address each letter to the correct person and to have time for both sides of the letter. Finally, be sure to attach your resume correctly so that it has a chance to be reviewed and picked up by an employer. As long as you have this document properly formatted, you will find it easi er to get it to them. This can be difficult if you are sending the resume on its own or if you are using a file transfer software program.In addition, you will want to ensure that your resume is easy to read. There are many programs available that are designed to make your resume look great on many different computer screens. In fact, some of these programs come with a free trial to see how they can look on different screens. You will be amazed at how well these types of programs can enhance your resume by making it readable and appealing to the eye.Last, but not least, make sure you have a plan for looking over your resume and your interview notes. This will give you time to organize and review your information. Plus, you will have a reference in case you run into any problems during the interview process. With all the different forms of technology available today, it is important to know how to work with whatever your computer has to offer.Even though you may feel confident about your skills and qualifications, it is wise to have a thorough review of your resume before you send it off. This will give you the time to check for spelling or grammatical errors. If you have any doubt, send it back and ask for another chance to prove yourself.