When writing a job description on a resume do you write in present or past tense...see example below.?

Question

implementing and maintaining educational programs

implemented and maintained educational programs


does tense really matter to HR professionals? Which tense do you use on your own resume?

Answer 1

If you are writing about what you are doing do in your present job, you should use the present tense. If you are writing about what you did in a previous job, you should use the past tense.

HR people are generally pretty well educated and may notice the misuse of tenses. It's best to do it right.

I use both tenses on my resume, as described above.

Answer 2

It drives me NUTS when people misuse tenses on their resumes. Pet peeve, sorry.....

Some folks write the entire resume in past tense; most use present tense for the current position and past tense for anything prior. (That's how I do my own.) As long as it's consistent, it's not a huge deal either way.

Thank you for asking...I feel so relieved that at least this is on someone's radar screen besides my own! :)