Personal or impersonal in a technical resume












10















In CVs or on Linkedin profiles there are often spaces dedicated to past experience.



In those sections, one is supposed to describe what work he/she did and what skills he/she acquired on previous workplaces/projects.



In this context, is it better to describe the experience in a personal or impersonal way?



A personal way (e.g. first person) underlines the subjects:




Project X



While assigned to Project X, I've learned how to mix dangerous chemical ingredients in a cauldron to bring out their hidden potential. Eventually, along with my team, we pushed further the research on superhuman abilities.




An impersonal way, to my understanding, underlines the skills acquired:




Project X



Manufacturing and treating of dangerous chemical ingredients. Testing of superhuman abilities in a controlled environment. Eating of snacks in the down times.











share|improve this question


















  • 2





    with unemployment at 3.8%.. you can go with EITHER approach ...

    – ashleylee
    6 hours ago






  • 3





    the key thing problem these days isn't getting offers.... but getting a good salary.

    – ashleylee
    6 hours ago











  • The "personal" one is sooo much better.

    – Cyn
    55 mins ago











  • @Cyn to be fair, I'd like to work in the superhuman abilities field.

    – Liquid
    42 mins ago
















10















In CVs or on Linkedin profiles there are often spaces dedicated to past experience.



In those sections, one is supposed to describe what work he/she did and what skills he/she acquired on previous workplaces/projects.



In this context, is it better to describe the experience in a personal or impersonal way?



A personal way (e.g. first person) underlines the subjects:




Project X



While assigned to Project X, I've learned how to mix dangerous chemical ingredients in a cauldron to bring out their hidden potential. Eventually, along with my team, we pushed further the research on superhuman abilities.




An impersonal way, to my understanding, underlines the skills acquired:




Project X



Manufacturing and treating of dangerous chemical ingredients. Testing of superhuman abilities in a controlled environment. Eating of snacks in the down times.











share|improve this question


















  • 2





    with unemployment at 3.8%.. you can go with EITHER approach ...

    – ashleylee
    6 hours ago






  • 3





    the key thing problem these days isn't getting offers.... but getting a good salary.

    – ashleylee
    6 hours ago











  • The "personal" one is sooo much better.

    – Cyn
    55 mins ago











  • @Cyn to be fair, I'd like to work in the superhuman abilities field.

    – Liquid
    42 mins ago














10












10








10








In CVs or on Linkedin profiles there are often spaces dedicated to past experience.



In those sections, one is supposed to describe what work he/she did and what skills he/she acquired on previous workplaces/projects.



In this context, is it better to describe the experience in a personal or impersonal way?



A personal way (e.g. first person) underlines the subjects:




Project X



While assigned to Project X, I've learned how to mix dangerous chemical ingredients in a cauldron to bring out their hidden potential. Eventually, along with my team, we pushed further the research on superhuman abilities.




An impersonal way, to my understanding, underlines the skills acquired:




Project X



Manufacturing and treating of dangerous chemical ingredients. Testing of superhuman abilities in a controlled environment. Eating of snacks in the down times.











share|improve this question














In CVs or on Linkedin profiles there are often spaces dedicated to past experience.



In those sections, one is supposed to describe what work he/she did and what skills he/she acquired on previous workplaces/projects.



In this context, is it better to describe the experience in a personal or impersonal way?



A personal way (e.g. first person) underlines the subjects:




Project X



While assigned to Project X, I've learned how to mix dangerous chemical ingredients in a cauldron to bring out their hidden potential. Eventually, along with my team, we pushed further the research on superhuman abilities.




An impersonal way, to my understanding, underlines the skills acquired:




Project X



Manufacturing and treating of dangerous chemical ingredients. Testing of superhuman abilities in a controlled environment. Eating of snacks in the down times.








technical-writing resume






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked 7 hours ago









LiquidLiquid

7,62521760




7,62521760








  • 2





    with unemployment at 3.8%.. you can go with EITHER approach ...

    – ashleylee
    6 hours ago






  • 3





    the key thing problem these days isn't getting offers.... but getting a good salary.

    – ashleylee
    6 hours ago











  • The "personal" one is sooo much better.

    – Cyn
    55 mins ago











  • @Cyn to be fair, I'd like to work in the superhuman abilities field.

    – Liquid
    42 mins ago














  • 2





    with unemployment at 3.8%.. you can go with EITHER approach ...

    – ashleylee
    6 hours ago






  • 3





    the key thing problem these days isn't getting offers.... but getting a good salary.

    – ashleylee
    6 hours ago











  • The "personal" one is sooo much better.

    – Cyn
    55 mins ago











  • @Cyn to be fair, I'd like to work in the superhuman abilities field.

    – Liquid
    42 mins ago








2




2





with unemployment at 3.8%.. you can go with EITHER approach ...

– ashleylee
6 hours ago





with unemployment at 3.8%.. you can go with EITHER approach ...

– ashleylee
6 hours ago




3




3





the key thing problem these days isn't getting offers.... but getting a good salary.

– ashleylee
6 hours ago





the key thing problem these days isn't getting offers.... but getting a good salary.

– ashleylee
6 hours ago













The "personal" one is sooo much better.

– Cyn
55 mins ago





The "personal" one is sooo much better.

– Cyn
55 mins ago













@Cyn to be fair, I'd like to work in the superhuman abilities field.

– Liquid
42 mins ago





@Cyn to be fair, I'd like to work in the superhuman abilities field.

– Liquid
42 mins ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















10














While I get the feeling this might get deemed "opinion based" I've reviewed a few hundred technical CVs in my time (for my sins) so here goes nothing!



Personal



Use of "I.." or "My role.." type statements a) humanize you so the person reading the CV can see you as a human being rather than just the CV and b) they tie the achievements to you. Impersonal does emphasize the skills but that's what a Skills section is for. When describing the experience you want to emphasize the person getting that experience (i.e. the person whose CV it is).



PS: If you ever want a friendly eye casting over your CV there's usually someone in Workplace SE chat who'll take a look for you.






share|improve this answer































    8














    I would skip the poetry, but use the personal approach.




    Project X



    I had several duties on this project. My primary responsibility was mixing dangerous chemicals in a cauldron for various experiments, including an attempt to liquefy kryptonite. In my second year on this project, I joined a team devising new procedures for testing the limits of Spiderman's strength, and how far Batman can throw a Batarang. We also attempted to test the upper limit of how much marijuana Snoop Dogg can smoke, however, due to experimental design errors, we failed to find a definitive limit.




    I have read many resumes; and I find this "formal personal" approach the easiest to read.






    share|improve this answer































      0














      The personal style has one big advantage, especially for people who are a bit shy about "selling themselves".



      If your sentences start with "I", they are (by definition) about what you actually did.



      In the impersonal style, it's easy to slip into describing what your team, or your employer, did (e.g. they made $$$$ selling this wonderful world-leading product that was developed while you worked there), but missing out on what you personally contributed to that success story - and your personal contribution is the only thing that readers of your CV are interested in.





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        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

        votes








        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes









        10














        While I get the feeling this might get deemed "opinion based" I've reviewed a few hundred technical CVs in my time (for my sins) so here goes nothing!



        Personal



        Use of "I.." or "My role.." type statements a) humanize you so the person reading the CV can see you as a human being rather than just the CV and b) they tie the achievements to you. Impersonal does emphasize the skills but that's what a Skills section is for. When describing the experience you want to emphasize the person getting that experience (i.e. the person whose CV it is).



        PS: If you ever want a friendly eye casting over your CV there's usually someone in Workplace SE chat who'll take a look for you.






        share|improve this answer




























          10














          While I get the feeling this might get deemed "opinion based" I've reviewed a few hundred technical CVs in my time (for my sins) so here goes nothing!



          Personal



          Use of "I.." or "My role.." type statements a) humanize you so the person reading the CV can see you as a human being rather than just the CV and b) they tie the achievements to you. Impersonal does emphasize the skills but that's what a Skills section is for. When describing the experience you want to emphasize the person getting that experience (i.e. the person whose CV it is).



          PS: If you ever want a friendly eye casting over your CV there's usually someone in Workplace SE chat who'll take a look for you.






          share|improve this answer


























            10












            10








            10







            While I get the feeling this might get deemed "opinion based" I've reviewed a few hundred technical CVs in my time (for my sins) so here goes nothing!



            Personal



            Use of "I.." or "My role.." type statements a) humanize you so the person reading the CV can see you as a human being rather than just the CV and b) they tie the achievements to you. Impersonal does emphasize the skills but that's what a Skills section is for. When describing the experience you want to emphasize the person getting that experience (i.e. the person whose CV it is).



            PS: If you ever want a friendly eye casting over your CV there's usually someone in Workplace SE chat who'll take a look for you.






            share|improve this answer













            While I get the feeling this might get deemed "opinion based" I've reviewed a few hundred technical CVs in my time (for my sins) so here goes nothing!



            Personal



            Use of "I.." or "My role.." type statements a) humanize you so the person reading the CV can see you as a human being rather than just the CV and b) they tie the achievements to you. Impersonal does emphasize the skills but that's what a Skills section is for. When describing the experience you want to emphasize the person getting that experience (i.e. the person whose CV it is).



            PS: If you ever want a friendly eye casting over your CV there's usually someone in Workplace SE chat who'll take a look for you.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 7 hours ago









            motosubatsumotosubatsu

            1,088112




            1,088112























                8














                I would skip the poetry, but use the personal approach.




                Project X



                I had several duties on this project. My primary responsibility was mixing dangerous chemicals in a cauldron for various experiments, including an attempt to liquefy kryptonite. In my second year on this project, I joined a team devising new procedures for testing the limits of Spiderman's strength, and how far Batman can throw a Batarang. We also attempted to test the upper limit of how much marijuana Snoop Dogg can smoke, however, due to experimental design errors, we failed to find a definitive limit.




                I have read many resumes; and I find this "formal personal" approach the easiest to read.






                share|improve this answer




























                  8














                  I would skip the poetry, but use the personal approach.




                  Project X



                  I had several duties on this project. My primary responsibility was mixing dangerous chemicals in a cauldron for various experiments, including an attempt to liquefy kryptonite. In my second year on this project, I joined a team devising new procedures for testing the limits of Spiderman's strength, and how far Batman can throw a Batarang. We also attempted to test the upper limit of how much marijuana Snoop Dogg can smoke, however, due to experimental design errors, we failed to find a definitive limit.




                  I have read many resumes; and I find this "formal personal" approach the easiest to read.






                  share|improve this answer


























                    8












                    8








                    8







                    I would skip the poetry, but use the personal approach.




                    Project X



                    I had several duties on this project. My primary responsibility was mixing dangerous chemicals in a cauldron for various experiments, including an attempt to liquefy kryptonite. In my second year on this project, I joined a team devising new procedures for testing the limits of Spiderman's strength, and how far Batman can throw a Batarang. We also attempted to test the upper limit of how much marijuana Snoop Dogg can smoke, however, due to experimental design errors, we failed to find a definitive limit.




                    I have read many resumes; and I find this "formal personal" approach the easiest to read.






                    share|improve this answer













                    I would skip the poetry, but use the personal approach.




                    Project X



                    I had several duties on this project. My primary responsibility was mixing dangerous chemicals in a cauldron for various experiments, including an attempt to liquefy kryptonite. In my second year on this project, I joined a team devising new procedures for testing the limits of Spiderman's strength, and how far Batman can throw a Batarang. We also attempted to test the upper limit of how much marijuana Snoop Dogg can smoke, however, due to experimental design errors, we failed to find a definitive limit.




                    I have read many resumes; and I find this "formal personal" approach the easiest to read.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered 7 hours ago









                    AmadeusAmadeus

                    55.4k470180




                    55.4k470180























                        0














                        The personal style has one big advantage, especially for people who are a bit shy about "selling themselves".



                        If your sentences start with "I", they are (by definition) about what you actually did.



                        In the impersonal style, it's easy to slip into describing what your team, or your employer, did (e.g. they made $$$$ selling this wonderful world-leading product that was developed while you worked there), but missing out on what you personally contributed to that success story - and your personal contribution is the only thing that readers of your CV are interested in.





                        share




























                          0














                          The personal style has one big advantage, especially for people who are a bit shy about "selling themselves".



                          If your sentences start with "I", they are (by definition) about what you actually did.



                          In the impersonal style, it's easy to slip into describing what your team, or your employer, did (e.g. they made $$$$ selling this wonderful world-leading product that was developed while you worked there), but missing out on what you personally contributed to that success story - and your personal contribution is the only thing that readers of your CV are interested in.





                          share


























                            0












                            0








                            0







                            The personal style has one big advantage, especially for people who are a bit shy about "selling themselves".



                            If your sentences start with "I", they are (by definition) about what you actually did.



                            In the impersonal style, it's easy to slip into describing what your team, or your employer, did (e.g. they made $$$$ selling this wonderful world-leading product that was developed while you worked there), but missing out on what you personally contributed to that success story - and your personal contribution is the only thing that readers of your CV are interested in.





                            share













                            The personal style has one big advantage, especially for people who are a bit shy about "selling themselves".



                            If your sentences start with "I", they are (by definition) about what you actually did.



                            In the impersonal style, it's easy to slip into describing what your team, or your employer, did (e.g. they made $$$$ selling this wonderful world-leading product that was developed while you worked there), but missing out on what you personally contributed to that success story - and your personal contribution is the only thing that readers of your CV are interested in.






                            share











                            share


                            share










                            answered 1 min ago









                            alephzeroalephzero

                            2011




                            2011






























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