How to Write a Resume Using the Correct Verb Tense

How to Write a Resume Using the Correct Verb TenseAfter completing your resume, you might want to add a little something extra to help give you an edge over other potential employers. However, you are unable to write a resume using the correct verb tense, and therefore your chances of getting the job are significantly reduced. What is the solution?Most people use the passive voice as their primary form of writing, and it is a far cry from more sophisticated writers such as those who attended university in the 1980s. Whilst it is not a formal requirement for the writing of a resume, it does need to be used to ensure that your information comes across as clearly as possible.You may think that if you use the progressive tense then the information you have included in your resume will be more easily understood by prospective employers. This however, is not always the case. Perhaps because the prospectus is on paper, and not a computer screen, the imperative is often not explicitly stated , as it is read by a person with little to no written language experience. The result is that the potential employer will, subconsciously, assume that the information is crucial to their decision-making process, when, in fact, it does not have any.Here is an example to illustrate this problem: 'Please note the following information regarding the products I have researched and recommended. I am a qualified dietician, and a specialist in the prevention of disease through the intake of a healthy diet.' For most people, this would sound much clearer and simpler than the following statement: 'Please note the following information regarding the products I have researched and recommended. I am a qualified dietician, and a specialist in the prevention of disease through the intake of a healthy diet.'Unfortunately, the passive voice is usually a staple of resume writing and a common template for the recruitment industry. But it is not the only way to construct a resume. If you really want to provide clear, concise information, then try out some of the other verbs used for resume writing, such as past tense, present tense, present perfect and future tense.The future tense, or 'I am waiting for', is the most commonly used. It is often used to provide the future and past tense information in the same sentence. For example: 'I am waiting for my interview, which will take place in a few days.' However, if you have other key information, such as the skills required, then you could add this information together in a separate paragraph.For example: 'Mr. Jenkins, I have done my research and have considered my previous employment history and qualifications. I am pleased to say that I have been offered the position of Senior Dietician.' Be sure to keep it simple, and avoid too many grammatical errors, and you should be able to find the correct verb tense used for resume writing!