Mixing
Tense in Resume writing - A small question [duplicate]
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Should I use present tense on an English CV/resume?
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I am writing my resume and have got one confusion regarding the tense to use when detailing present and previous job descriptions. I will ask my question with an example so that it is easy to understand what I am trying to ask.
I want to write "Understand and discuss requirements" as a bullet in the descriptions of both my present and past jobs.
Do I write it as:
1. "Understand and discuss requirements"
OR
2. "Understanding and discussing requirements"
OR
3. "Understood and discussed requirements"
Which of the above should go for the present job and which one for the past?
I believe it would be the 3rd one for past jobs, but some confirmation would be good.
Any help is appreciated. Thank you.
resume
asked Dec 15 '15 at 10:04
LoveEnigma
113
marked as duplicate by Lilienthal♦, David K, Philip Kendall, gnat, Joe Strazzere Dec 15 '15 at 15:36
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
This question already has an answer here:
Should I use present tense on an English CV/resume?
5 answers
I am writing my resume and have got one confusion regarding the tense to use when detailing present and previous job descriptions. I will ask my question with an example so that it is easy to understand what I am trying to ask.
I want to write "Understand and discuss requirements" as a bullet in the descriptions of both my present and past jobs.
Do I write it as:
1. "Understand and discuss requirements"
OR
2. "Understanding and discussing requirements"
OR
3. "Understood and discussed requirements"
Which of the above should go for the present job and which one for the past?
I believe it would be the 3rd one for past jobs, but some confirmation would be good.
Any help is appreciated. Thank you.
resume
asked Dec 15 '15 at 10:04
LoveEnigma
113
marked as duplicate by Lilienthal♦, David K, Philip Kendall, gnat, Joe Strazzere Dec 15 '15 at 15:36
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
3
As a side note, as a hiring manager, "understanding requirements" on a CV is kind of like "breathing air": meaningless fluff that anybody can claim. Go into specifics if you can, eg. "led requirement specification negotiations on massive project X with demanding client Y".
– jpatokal
Dec 15 '15 at 10:43
Thank you. Good point, but I don't have enough experience and not at the level where I could use your suggestion. I am more technically oriented, and haven't led or done such negotiations. I am not at a senior position right now, so my responsibilities are limited to understanding and discussion requirements.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:50
For sure I would not use "understanding and discussion requirements". So you were not at the level. Go into the specifics. Understand / understanding / understood requirements is meaningless fluff.
– paparazzo
Dec 15 '15 at 11:37
I always use past tense for everything on my resume. In the 20 years I've worked as a professional, I've gotten plenty of replies and offers. I want to say I found this tip in a book as I graduated college (the professors didn't cover this in the senior classes),
– Tim
Dec 15 '15 at 11:41
Thank you for the good advice, Frisbee and Tim. I will think about it and see if I can improve what I have written.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:45
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
This question already has an answer here:
Should I use present tense on an English CV/resume?
5 answers
I am writing my resume and have got one confusion regarding the tense to use when detailing present and previous job descriptions. I will ask my question with an example so that it is easy to understand what I am trying to ask.
I want to write "Understand and discuss requirements" as a bullet in the descriptions of both my present and past jobs.
Do I write it as:
1. "Understand and discuss requirements"
OR
2. "Understanding and discussing requirements"
OR
3. "Understood and discussed requirements"
Which of the above should go for the present job and which one for the past?
I believe it would be the 3rd one for past jobs, but some confirmation would be good.
Any help is appreciated. Thank you.
resume
asked Dec 15 '15 at 10:04
LoveEnigma
113
This question already has an answer here:
Should I use present tense on an English CV/resume?
5 answers
I am writing my resume and have got one confusion regarding the tense to use when detailing present and previous job descriptions. I will ask my question with an example so that it is easy to understand what I am trying to ask.
I want to write "Understand and discuss requirements" as a bullet in the descriptions of both my present and past jobs.
Do I write it as:
1. "Understand and discuss requirements"
OR
2. "Understanding and discussing requirements"
OR
3. "Understood and discussed requirements"
Which of the above should go for the present job and which one for the past?
I believe it would be the 3rd one for past jobs, but some confirmation would be good.
Any help is appreciated. Thank you.
This question already has an answer here:
Should I use present tense on an English CV/resume?
5 answers
resume
asked Dec 15 '15 at 10:04
LoveEnigma
113
asked Dec 15 '15 at 10:04
LoveEnigma
113
asked Dec 15 '15 at 10:04
LoveEnigma
113
asked Dec 15 '15 at 10:04
LoveEnigma
113
113
marked as duplicate by Lilienthal♦, David K, Philip Kendall, gnat, Joe Strazzere Dec 15 '15 at 15:36
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
marked as duplicate by Lilienthal♦, David K, Philip Kendall, gnat, Joe Strazzere Dec 15 '15 at 15:36
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
3
As a side note, as a hiring manager, "understanding requirements" on a CV is kind of like "breathing air": meaningless fluff that anybody can claim. Go into specifics if you can, eg. "led requirement specification negotiations on massive project X with demanding client Y".
– jpatokal
Dec 15 '15 at 10:43
Thank you. Good point, but I don't have enough experience and not at the level where I could use your suggestion. I am more technically oriented, and haven't led or done such negotiations. I am not at a senior position right now, so my responsibilities are limited to understanding and discussion requirements.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:50
For sure I would not use "understanding and discussion requirements". So you were not at the level. Go into the specifics. Understand / understanding / understood requirements is meaningless fluff.
– paparazzo
Dec 15 '15 at 11:37
I always use past tense for everything on my resume. In the 20 years I've worked as a professional, I've gotten plenty of replies and offers. I want to say I found this tip in a book as I graduated college (the professors didn't cover this in the senior classes),
– Tim
Dec 15 '15 at 11:41
Thank you for the good advice, Frisbee and Tim. I will think about it and see if I can improve what I have written.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:45
 |Â
show 1 more comment
3
As a side note, as a hiring manager, "understanding requirements" on a CV is kind of like "breathing air": meaningless fluff that anybody can claim. Go into specifics if you can, eg. "led requirement specification negotiations on massive project X with demanding client Y".
– jpatokal
Dec 15 '15 at 10:43
Thank you. Good point, but I don't have enough experience and not at the level where I could use your suggestion. I am more technically oriented, and haven't led or done such negotiations. I am not at a senior position right now, so my responsibilities are limited to understanding and discussion requirements.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:50
For sure I would not use "understanding and discussion requirements". So you were not at the level. Go into the specifics. Understand / understanding / understood requirements is meaningless fluff.
– paparazzo
Dec 15 '15 at 11:37
I always use past tense for everything on my resume. In the 20 years I've worked as a professional, I've gotten plenty of replies and offers. I want to say I found this tip in a book as I graduated college (the professors didn't cover this in the senior classes),
– Tim
Dec 15 '15 at 11:41
Thank you for the good advice, Frisbee and Tim. I will think about it and see if I can improve what I have written.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:45
3
3
As a side note, as a hiring manager, "understanding requirements" on a CV is kind of like "breathing air": meaningless fluff that anybody can claim. Go into specifics if you can, eg. "led requirement specification negotiations on massive project X with demanding client Y".
– jpatokal
Dec 15 '15 at 10:43
As a side note, as a hiring manager, "understanding requirements" on a CV is kind of like "breathing air": meaningless fluff that anybody can claim. Go into specifics if you can, eg. "led requirement specification negotiations on massive project X with demanding client Y".
– jpatokal
Dec 15 '15 at 10:43
Thank you. Good point, but I don't have enough experience and not at the level where I could use your suggestion. I am more technically oriented, and haven't led or done such negotiations. I am not at a senior position right now, so my responsibilities are limited to understanding and discussion requirements.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:50
Thank you. Good point, but I don't have enough experience and not at the level where I could use your suggestion. I am more technically oriented, and haven't led or done such negotiations. I am not at a senior position right now, so my responsibilities are limited to understanding and discussion requirements.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:50
For sure I would not use "understanding and discussion requirements". So you were not at the level. Go into the specifics. Understand / understanding / understood requirements is meaningless fluff.
– paparazzo
Dec 15 '15 at 11:37
For sure I would not use "understanding and discussion requirements". So you were not at the level. Go into the specifics. Understand / understanding / understood requirements is meaningless fluff.
– paparazzo
Dec 15 '15 at 11:37
I always use past tense for everything on my resume. In the 20 years I've worked as a professional, I've gotten plenty of replies and offers. I want to say I found this tip in a book as I graduated college (the professors didn't cover this in the senior classes),
– Tim
Dec 15 '15 at 11:41
I always use past tense for everything on my resume. In the 20 years I've worked as a professional, I've gotten plenty of replies and offers. I want to say I found this tip in a book as I graduated college (the professors didn't cover this in the senior classes),
– Tim
Dec 15 '15 at 11:41
Thank you for the good advice, Frisbee and Tim. I will think about it and see if I can improve what I have written.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:45
Thank you for the good advice, Frisbee and Tim. I will think about it and see if I can improve what I have written.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:45
 |Â
show 1 more comment
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
accepted
When to use what tense:
Past Tense
Achievements:
- Led the team which is responsible for _______________
- Designed a system which _____________
Present Tense
Project/internship/job details and/or responsibilities:
- Design and deploy the model which predicts the number of goblins in Hogwarts kitchen.
- Understand and execute exploratory analysis on the patterns of unicorn movements.
answered Dec 15 '15 at 10:48
Dawny33
12.2k34563
Thanks for the answer. But won't responsibilities come under present tense?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:55
@LoveEnigma If for current job, yes
– Dawny33
Dec 15 '15 at 10:56
Okay. Before the tasks/responsibilities bullets in my resume, I have written for present job: "Key responsibilities include:", and for past "Key responsibilities included:" And then I have just listed the bullets under both jobs in present tense, like "Discuss requirements", "Support software team", "Prepare design documents", and so on. Does it look right to you?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:00
You write Key responsibilities include for past job also. Only the bullets have past tense
– Dawny33
Dec 15 '15 at 11:01
Ok, but any reason why I cannot write what I mentioned above? Since bullets are job details/responsibilities, they can be present tense for any job, right? For achievements in past and present jobs, past tense would be right, as you have mentioned.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:08
 |Â
show 8 more comments
up vote
0
down vote
Past tense if it's a description of what you did. Present tense if it's a description of the job requirements. I would say.
eg,. I understood and discussed requirements...
I was required to understand and discuss requirements...
Part of my role was/is understanding and discussing requirements...
It really depends on the context of the bullet list.
answered Dec 15 '15 at 10:20
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
Thanks for the prompt answer. What I am trying to write is a list of tasks/activities that were a part of my job responsibilities/requirements. Since it is a bullet list, I just want to highlight some regular & important activities. So based on your answer and what I am trying to write, I think present tense would be the right choice for both past and present jobs. One differentiating thing I have written in my resume before the bullets for present job is: "Key responsibilities include:", and for past as "Key responsibilities included:" (added 'd' for past tense). Am I correct?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:31
yes, that looks right with the 'd' so for 'key responsibilities include/d', would be 'understanding and discussing requirements' I would think.
– Kilisi
Dec 15 '15 at 10:33
Ummm, I am confused again. Sorry. Actually, my gut feeling told me that I should write "Understanding and discussing requirements" and that's what I had written earlier. But after looking at a few profiles on LinkedIn and some resume examples where present tense was used, I thought to confirm this. By the way, does it really matter in this particular case whether I use the 1st or 2nd option? Does it really make sense to think a lot about it? After all it is not grammatically wrong to write either of them for resume purpose, isn't it?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:44
I would go with your gut, the other is not correct in context, not to me anyway. Whether it would make a difference if I was reading your resume, frankly it wouldn't unless you were applying for a job like translating or something, but I would definitely notice it.
– Kilisi
Dec 15 '15 at 10:47
Yes, these are subtle things which some may notice and some may not. Thanks for your time and thoughts. It definitely helped.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:02
suggest improvements |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
accepted
When to use what tense:
Past Tense
Achievements:
- Led the team which is responsible for _______________
- Designed a system which _____________
Present Tense
Project/internship/job details and/or responsibilities:
- Design and deploy the model which predicts the number of goblins in Hogwarts kitchen.
- Understand and execute exploratory analysis on the patterns of unicorn movements.
answered Dec 15 '15 at 10:48
Dawny33
12.2k34563
Thanks for the answer. But won't responsibilities come under present tense?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:55
@LoveEnigma If for current job, yes
– Dawny33
Dec 15 '15 at 10:56
Okay. Before the tasks/responsibilities bullets in my resume, I have written for present job: "Key responsibilities include:", and for past "Key responsibilities included:" And then I have just listed the bullets under both jobs in present tense, like "Discuss requirements", "Support software team", "Prepare design documents", and so on. Does it look right to you?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:00
You write Key responsibilities include for past job also. Only the bullets have past tense
– Dawny33
Dec 15 '15 at 11:01
Ok, but any reason why I cannot write what I mentioned above? Since bullets are job details/responsibilities, they can be present tense for any job, right? For achievements in past and present jobs, past tense would be right, as you have mentioned.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:08
 |Â
show 8 more comments
up vote
0
down vote
accepted
When to use what tense:
Past Tense
Achievements:
- Led the team which is responsible for _______________
- Designed a system which _____________
Present Tense
Project/internship/job details and/or responsibilities:
- Design and deploy the model which predicts the number of goblins in Hogwarts kitchen.
- Understand and execute exploratory analysis on the patterns of unicorn movements.
answered Dec 15 '15 at 10:48
Dawny33
12.2k34563
Thanks for the answer. But won't responsibilities come under present tense?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:55
@LoveEnigma If for current job, yes
– Dawny33
Dec 15 '15 at 10:56
Okay. Before the tasks/responsibilities bullets in my resume, I have written for present job: "Key responsibilities include:", and for past "Key responsibilities included:" And then I have just listed the bullets under both jobs in present tense, like "Discuss requirements", "Support software team", "Prepare design documents", and so on. Does it look right to you?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:00
You write Key responsibilities include for past job also. Only the bullets have past tense
– Dawny33
Dec 15 '15 at 11:01
Ok, but any reason why I cannot write what I mentioned above? Since bullets are job details/responsibilities, they can be present tense for any job, right? For achievements in past and present jobs, past tense would be right, as you have mentioned.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:08
 |Â
show 8 more comments
up vote
0
down vote
accepted
up vote
0
down vote
accepted
When to use what tense:
Past Tense
Achievements:
- Led the team which is responsible for _______________
- Designed a system which _____________
Present Tense
Project/internship/job details and/or responsibilities:
- Design and deploy the model which predicts the number of goblins in Hogwarts kitchen.
- Understand and execute exploratory analysis on the patterns of unicorn movements.
answered Dec 15 '15 at 10:48
Dawny33
12.2k34563
When to use what tense:
Past Tense
Achievements:
- Led the team which is responsible for _______________
- Designed a system which _____________
Present Tense
Project/internship/job details and/or responsibilities:
- Design and deploy the model which predicts the number of goblins in Hogwarts kitchen.
- Understand and execute exploratory analysis on the patterns of unicorn movements.
answered Dec 15 '15 at 10:48
Dawny33
12.2k34563
edited Dec 15 '15 at 11:24
answered Dec 15 '15 at 10:48
Dawny33
12.2k34563
answered Dec 15 '15 at 10:48
Dawny33
12.2k34563
answered Dec 15 '15 at 10:48
Dawny33
12.2k34563
12.2k34563
Thanks for the answer. But won't responsibilities come under present tense?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:55
@LoveEnigma If for current job, yes
– Dawny33
Dec 15 '15 at 10:56
Okay. Before the tasks/responsibilities bullets in my resume, I have written for present job: "Key responsibilities include:", and for past "Key responsibilities included:" And then I have just listed the bullets under both jobs in present tense, like "Discuss requirements", "Support software team", "Prepare design documents", and so on. Does it look right to you?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:00
You write Key responsibilities include for past job also. Only the bullets have past tense
– Dawny33
Dec 15 '15 at 11:01
Ok, but any reason why I cannot write what I mentioned above? Since bullets are job details/responsibilities, they can be present tense for any job, right? For achievements in past and present jobs, past tense would be right, as you have mentioned.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:08
 |Â
show 8 more comments
Thanks for the answer. But won't responsibilities come under present tense?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:55
@LoveEnigma If for current job, yes
– Dawny33
Dec 15 '15 at 10:56
Okay. Before the tasks/responsibilities bullets in my resume, I have written for present job: "Key responsibilities include:", and for past "Key responsibilities included:" And then I have just listed the bullets under both jobs in present tense, like "Discuss requirements", "Support software team", "Prepare design documents", and so on. Does it look right to you?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:00
You write Key responsibilities include for past job also. Only the bullets have past tense
– Dawny33
Dec 15 '15 at 11:01
Ok, but any reason why I cannot write what I mentioned above? Since bullets are job details/responsibilities, they can be present tense for any job, right? For achievements in past and present jobs, past tense would be right, as you have mentioned.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:08
Thanks for the answer. But won't responsibilities come under present tense?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:55
Thanks for the answer. But won't responsibilities come under present tense?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:55
@LoveEnigma If for current job, yes
– Dawny33
Dec 15 '15 at 10:56
@LoveEnigma If for current job, yes
– Dawny33
Dec 15 '15 at 10:56
Okay. Before the tasks/responsibilities bullets in my resume, I have written for present job: "Key responsibilities include:", and for past "Key responsibilities included:" And then I have just listed the bullets under both jobs in present tense, like "Discuss requirements", "Support software team", "Prepare design documents", and so on. Does it look right to you?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:00
Okay. Before the tasks/responsibilities bullets in my resume, I have written for present job: "Key responsibilities include:", and for past "Key responsibilities included:" And then I have just listed the bullets under both jobs in present tense, like "Discuss requirements", "Support software team", "Prepare design documents", and so on. Does it look right to you?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:00
You write Key responsibilities include for past job also. Only the bullets have past tense
– Dawny33
Dec 15 '15 at 11:01
You write Key responsibilities include for past job also. Only the bullets have past tense
– Dawny33
Dec 15 '15 at 11:01
Ok, but any reason why I cannot write what I mentioned above? Since bullets are job details/responsibilities, they can be present tense for any job, right? For achievements in past and present jobs, past tense would be right, as you have mentioned.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:08
Ok, but any reason why I cannot write what I mentioned above? Since bullets are job details/responsibilities, they can be present tense for any job, right? For achievements in past and present jobs, past tense would be right, as you have mentioned.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:08
 |Â
show 8 more comments
up vote
0
down vote
Past tense if it's a description of what you did. Present tense if it's a description of the job requirements. I would say.
eg,. I understood and discussed requirements...
I was required to understand and discuss requirements...
Part of my role was/is understanding and discussing requirements...
It really depends on the context of the bullet list.
answered Dec 15 '15 at 10:20
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
Thanks for the prompt answer. What I am trying to write is a list of tasks/activities that were a part of my job responsibilities/requirements. Since it is a bullet list, I just want to highlight some regular & important activities. So based on your answer and what I am trying to write, I think present tense would be the right choice for both past and present jobs. One differentiating thing I have written in my resume before the bullets for present job is: "Key responsibilities include:", and for past as "Key responsibilities included:" (added 'd' for past tense). Am I correct?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:31
yes, that looks right with the 'd' so for 'key responsibilities include/d', would be 'understanding and discussing requirements' I would think.
– Kilisi
Dec 15 '15 at 10:33
Ummm, I am confused again. Sorry. Actually, my gut feeling told me that I should write "Understanding and discussing requirements" and that's what I had written earlier. But after looking at a few profiles on LinkedIn and some resume examples where present tense was used, I thought to confirm this. By the way, does it really matter in this particular case whether I use the 1st or 2nd option? Does it really make sense to think a lot about it? After all it is not grammatically wrong to write either of them for resume purpose, isn't it?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:44
I would go with your gut, the other is not correct in context, not to me anyway. Whether it would make a difference if I was reading your resume, frankly it wouldn't unless you were applying for a job like translating or something, but I would definitely notice it.
– Kilisi
Dec 15 '15 at 10:47
Yes, these are subtle things which some may notice and some may not. Thanks for your time and thoughts. It definitely helped.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:02
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Past tense if it's a description of what you did. Present tense if it's a description of the job requirements. I would say.
eg,. I understood and discussed requirements...
I was required to understand and discuss requirements...
Part of my role was/is understanding and discussing requirements...
It really depends on the context of the bullet list.
answered Dec 15 '15 at 10:20
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
Thanks for the prompt answer. What I am trying to write is a list of tasks/activities that were a part of my job responsibilities/requirements. Since it is a bullet list, I just want to highlight some regular & important activities. So based on your answer and what I am trying to write, I think present tense would be the right choice for both past and present jobs. One differentiating thing I have written in my resume before the bullets for present job is: "Key responsibilities include:", and for past as "Key responsibilities included:" (added 'd' for past tense). Am I correct?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:31
yes, that looks right with the 'd' so for 'key responsibilities include/d', would be 'understanding and discussing requirements' I would think.
– Kilisi
Dec 15 '15 at 10:33
Ummm, I am confused again. Sorry. Actually, my gut feeling told me that I should write "Understanding and discussing requirements" and that's what I had written earlier. But after looking at a few profiles on LinkedIn and some resume examples where present tense was used, I thought to confirm this. By the way, does it really matter in this particular case whether I use the 1st or 2nd option? Does it really make sense to think a lot about it? After all it is not grammatically wrong to write either of them for resume purpose, isn't it?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:44
I would go with your gut, the other is not correct in context, not to me anyway. Whether it would make a difference if I was reading your resume, frankly it wouldn't unless you were applying for a job like translating or something, but I would definitely notice it.
– Kilisi
Dec 15 '15 at 10:47
Yes, these are subtle things which some may notice and some may not. Thanks for your time and thoughts. It definitely helped.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:02
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Past tense if it's a description of what you did. Present tense if it's a description of the job requirements. I would say.
eg,. I understood and discussed requirements...
I was required to understand and discuss requirements...
Part of my role was/is understanding and discussing requirements...
It really depends on the context of the bullet list.
answered Dec 15 '15 at 10:20
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
Past tense if it's a description of what you did. Present tense if it's a description of the job requirements. I would say.
eg,. I understood and discussed requirements...
I was required to understand and discuss requirements...
Part of my role was/is understanding and discussing requirements...
It really depends on the context of the bullet list.
answered Dec 15 '15 at 10:20
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
answered Dec 15 '15 at 10:20
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
answered Dec 15 '15 at 10:20
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
answered Dec 15 '15 at 10:20
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
94.7k50216376
Thanks for the prompt answer. What I am trying to write is a list of tasks/activities that were a part of my job responsibilities/requirements. Since it is a bullet list, I just want to highlight some regular & important activities. So based on your answer and what I am trying to write, I think present tense would be the right choice for both past and present jobs. One differentiating thing I have written in my resume before the bullets for present job is: "Key responsibilities include:", and for past as "Key responsibilities included:" (added 'd' for past tense). Am I correct?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:31
yes, that looks right with the 'd' so for 'key responsibilities include/d', would be 'understanding and discussing requirements' I would think.
– Kilisi
Dec 15 '15 at 10:33
Ummm, I am confused again. Sorry. Actually, my gut feeling told me that I should write "Understanding and discussing requirements" and that's what I had written earlier. But after looking at a few profiles on LinkedIn and some resume examples where present tense was used, I thought to confirm this. By the way, does it really matter in this particular case whether I use the 1st or 2nd option? Does it really make sense to think a lot about it? After all it is not grammatically wrong to write either of them for resume purpose, isn't it?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:44
I would go with your gut, the other is not correct in context, not to me anyway. Whether it would make a difference if I was reading your resume, frankly it wouldn't unless you were applying for a job like translating or something, but I would definitely notice it.
– Kilisi
Dec 15 '15 at 10:47
Yes, these are subtle things which some may notice and some may not. Thanks for your time and thoughts. It definitely helped.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:02
suggest improvements |Â
Thanks for the prompt answer. What I am trying to write is a list of tasks/activities that were a part of my job responsibilities/requirements. Since it is a bullet list, I just want to highlight some regular & important activities. So based on your answer and what I am trying to write, I think present tense would be the right choice for both past and present jobs. One differentiating thing I have written in my resume before the bullets for present job is: "Key responsibilities include:", and for past as "Key responsibilities included:" (added 'd' for past tense). Am I correct?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:31
yes, that looks right with the 'd' so for 'key responsibilities include/d', would be 'understanding and discussing requirements' I would think.
– Kilisi
Dec 15 '15 at 10:33
Ummm, I am confused again. Sorry. Actually, my gut feeling told me that I should write "Understanding and discussing requirements" and that's what I had written earlier. But after looking at a few profiles on LinkedIn and some resume examples where present tense was used, I thought to confirm this. By the way, does it really matter in this particular case whether I use the 1st or 2nd option? Does it really make sense to think a lot about it? After all it is not grammatically wrong to write either of them for resume purpose, isn't it?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:44
I would go with your gut, the other is not correct in context, not to me anyway. Whether it would make a difference if I was reading your resume, frankly it wouldn't unless you were applying for a job like translating or something, but I would definitely notice it.
– Kilisi
Dec 15 '15 at 10:47
Yes, these are subtle things which some may notice and some may not. Thanks for your time and thoughts. It definitely helped.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:02
Thanks for the prompt answer. What I am trying to write is a list of tasks/activities that were a part of my job responsibilities/requirements. Since it is a bullet list, I just want to highlight some regular & important activities. So based on your answer and what I am trying to write, I think present tense would be the right choice for both past and present jobs. One differentiating thing I have written in my resume before the bullets for present job is: "Key responsibilities include:", and for past as "Key responsibilities included:" (added 'd' for past tense). Am I correct?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:31
Thanks for the prompt answer. What I am trying to write is a list of tasks/activities that were a part of my job responsibilities/requirements. Since it is a bullet list, I just want to highlight some regular & important activities. So based on your answer and what I am trying to write, I think present tense would be the right choice for both past and present jobs. One differentiating thing I have written in my resume before the bullets for present job is: "Key responsibilities include:", and for past as "Key responsibilities included:" (added 'd' for past tense). Am I correct?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:31
yes, that looks right with the 'd' so for 'key responsibilities include/d', would be 'understanding and discussing requirements' I would think.
– Kilisi
Dec 15 '15 at 10:33
yes, that looks right with the 'd' so for 'key responsibilities include/d', would be 'understanding and discussing requirements' I would think.
– Kilisi
Dec 15 '15 at 10:33
Ummm, I am confused again. Sorry. Actually, my gut feeling told me that I should write "Understanding and discussing requirements" and that's what I had written earlier. But after looking at a few profiles on LinkedIn and some resume examples where present tense was used, I thought to confirm this. By the way, does it really matter in this particular case whether I use the 1st or 2nd option? Does it really make sense to think a lot about it? After all it is not grammatically wrong to write either of them for resume purpose, isn't it?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:44
Ummm, I am confused again. Sorry. Actually, my gut feeling told me that I should write "Understanding and discussing requirements" and that's what I had written earlier. But after looking at a few profiles on LinkedIn and some resume examples where present tense was used, I thought to confirm this. By the way, does it really matter in this particular case whether I use the 1st or 2nd option? Does it really make sense to think a lot about it? After all it is not grammatically wrong to write either of them for resume purpose, isn't it?
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:44
I would go with your gut, the other is not correct in context, not to me anyway. Whether it would make a difference if I was reading your resume, frankly it wouldn't unless you were applying for a job like translating or something, but I would definitely notice it.
– Kilisi
Dec 15 '15 at 10:47
I would go with your gut, the other is not correct in context, not to me anyway. Whether it would make a difference if I was reading your resume, frankly it wouldn't unless you were applying for a job like translating or something, but I would definitely notice it.
– Kilisi
Dec 15 '15 at 10:47
Yes, these are subtle things which some may notice and some may not. Thanks for your time and thoughts. It definitely helped.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:02
Yes, these are subtle things which some may notice and some may not. Thanks for your time and thoughts. It definitely helped.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:02
suggest improvements |Â
3
As a side note, as a hiring manager, "understanding requirements" on a CV is kind of like "breathing air": meaningless fluff that anybody can claim. Go into specifics if you can, eg. "led requirement specification negotiations on massive project X with demanding client Y".
– jpatokal
Dec 15 '15 at 10:43
Thank you. Good point, but I don't have enough experience and not at the level where I could use your suggestion. I am more technically oriented, and haven't led or done such negotiations. I am not at a senior position right now, so my responsibilities are limited to understanding and discussion requirements.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 10:50
For sure I would not use "understanding and discussion requirements". So you were not at the level. Go into the specifics. Understand / understanding / understood requirements is meaningless fluff.
– paparazzo
Dec 15 '15 at 11:37
I always use past tense for everything on my resume. In the 20 years I've worked as a professional, I've gotten plenty of replies and offers. I want to say I found this tip in a book as I graduated college (the professors didn't cover this in the senior classes),
– Tim
Dec 15 '15 at 11:41
Thank you for the good advice, Frisbee and Tim. I will think about it and see if I can improve what I have written.
– LoveEnigma
Dec 15 '15 at 11:45