Should You Use Bullet Points on Your Resume?

Nancy Anderson
Posted by in Career Advice


Bullet points are staple features of resume formats, but a long, monotonous list of work duties can overwhelm your job applications without offering any proof of performance success. Bulleted lists are designed to convey a high volume of information in limited space, so use this classic format to showcase your most appealing professional qualities and prevent recruiters from tossing your resume.

Writing a one- or two-page resume is difficult and dreary when you use every line to make flat statements about how you provided support to upper management or reviewed client claims to identify insurance risks. Regardless of what job you’re applying for, your competition wants to work in the same industry and most likely performed similar job duties. When used effectively, bullet points should add structure, improve readability and emphasize your distinct skills by breaking up the resume format, integrating more white space and organizing key points into concise bits of information.

A resume format dominated by bullet points is hard for busy hiring managers to skim. Think strategically, and use short bulleted lists to incorporate clear examples of performance results. Start each bullet with an action verb that pinpoints your impact, and close the statement with a quick explanation of how your initiative directly improved profit or workflow. For example, instead of saying that you wrote and edited an educational newsletter for students and families, clearly state that you increased parent involvement by 60 percent by creating and publishing a family-outreach newsletter.

As the previous example demonstrates, relevant numerical data adds credibility to your claims. Hiring managers expect all applicants to make empty or exaggerated claims about their strong leadership skills, unparalleled work ethic and professional passion. Make your job applications stand out by leaving no room for doubt. Hiring managers respond to proven track records, and they are more willing to research candidates who offer straightforward results they can easily verify with past employers.

One way to make yourself attractive to recruiters is to show proof that other industry authorities are impressed by you. Bullet points let you highlight professional awards and specialty certifications, providing an alternative to weighing down your resume format with boastful summaries chronicling how invaluable you were to every employer you’ve ever had. Information about award and certification recipients is generally available to the public, so you don’t need to clutter your resume format with extra descriptions. At the same time, mentioning your accolades briefly provides hiring managers with genuine evidence that you take pride in your work and that your efforts expand beyond doing the bare minimum.

Bullet points are an asset to any resume format, but don't hesitate to cut content that doesn't apply to a specific job position. If you can’t relate each success statement to a function of your target position, consider editing out these weak spots to ensure your resume is polished and concise.

 

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  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Merlin thanks again for your comment. So very true that content is king. The ATS does not look at form but looks for specific keywords contained within your resume and cover letter. If those keywords are not there, you could have the best formatted resume around but it would never reach the light of day! I agree that we sometimes put too much emphasis on aesthetics rather than the actual content. I also carry a copy of the job description along with the many resumes I have created throughout my career. That way, if nerves don't calm down right away at the interview, I have props to refer to. Thank you @Merlin and all the best on your job search.

  • Merlin G.
    Merlin G.

    Thanks @Nancy... I was just trying to highlight to any unfamiliar with the process that content was more significant than form! Great article though! As to throwing out the resume in the interview... I literally do that! I bring a copy of the original job posting with specific duties and requirements they listed into the interview as my talking points; and try to go line by line how my experience fits their ideal expectations.... it works well to keep the conversation focused towards what they are looking for as opposed to me going on about my experiences that might be irrelevant!

  • Kimbal R.
    Kimbal R.

    All companies are different. Some like bullet points, some don't. Some want a detailed description of each duty. Some want one sentence. You cannot please ev that view your resume.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Merlin thanks for your candid comment. It is true that companies use ATS (applicant tracking software) to "review" your resume. If the resume does not contain the buzzwords or keywords that they are looking for, it either goes in the round file or in their data bank for a specified amount of time (usually six months). If you make that cut and get in for an interview then I agree - just throw your resume out and let your experience and personality take center stage. The resume is only to get your foot in the door.

  • Tracey G.
    Tracey G.

    Thanks. I need to edit what my child thought she did to help back to the old way it was

  • Charles  M.
    Charles M.

    Some people use,"ticks" rather than bullets points. They are visually more positive than bullet points. Your resume only gets you to the interview door. Keep things short and to the point.

  • Merlin G.
    Merlin G.

    I disagree.. I am a director of maintenance for a trucking company. My resume contains- MSDS, EPA, OSHA, DOT, Safety, P&L, SAP, ERP,MRP, Increase profit, Training, certification, audit, review, Microsoft, performance evaluation, and a few other specific words. The reason for this is most large companies use skimming software to pick key words from your resume and give it a match score for the job. They do not eyeball all 500+ resumes submitted! The keywords and match score get you the interview, and once you are in the door throw the resume out the window... it is what you know and who you know at that point! So bullets/ paragraphs... doesn't matter, just work your key words in.

  • Jennifer D.
    Jennifer D.

    I personally have had enough of the resume career job world. I am fed up with all that chicken s..t way that we have to document about ourselves or no one will consider us. Heaven forbid you explain the tasks you performed to accomplish the goals. Those minor tasks are performed every day in our lives whether at home or at work and it is part of success. I am not a resume, I am a person. If no one agrees with my annoyance, I am ok with that.

  • Matthew A J.
    Matthew A J.

    This format may be well suited for non-technical positions such as sales and managerial but not engineering and technology sector. In addition, the two page limit for a resume is insufficient for someone with many years of experience that involves numerous employers and projects that involve many disciplines and companies.

  • mawuli tsikata
    mawuli tsikata

    Thanks

  • MARK J. T.
    MARK J. T.
    • yep
  • Eliot S.
    Eliot S.

    This isn't about bullet points. It's about not filling your resume with unimportant information while leaving out (or burying) what the employer is looking for. That's what counts.

  • BRIAN H.
    BRIAN H.
    • Thanks for the article!
  • BRIAN H.
    BRIAN H.
    • Thanks for the article!
  • Mark D.
    Mark D.

    I completely agree with you Michael. Job application software searches by keywords regardless of whether they are in bullet statements or not. The more keywords your resume has that match the job description, the better your chances are of getting interviewed.

  • Michael S.
    Michael S.

    Ask any 2 resume "experts" how to tailor your resume, and you get 6 different answers. Go with what gets you the interviews and jobs.

  • Michael S.
    Michael S.

    Considering that my resume is using bullets for the past 19 years, I call bullmanure on this. What's the alternative? Unreadable narrative paragraphs? Yes, people need to be factual and clear on their resumes, but also succinct, too. In the modern world where online profiles are the company filter long before any human ever reads a resume, the real problem is the filtering software can't parse resumes to build a profile.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Deborah thanks for your question. An objective statement is a matter of opinion and choice. Some recruiters say that it is outdated to use it while others say it's an absolute must. If you feel that the objective is needed to clarify what position you are seeking or to indicate that you are changing careers, etc. then you might want to consider using it. @James do an Internet search for sample resumes for your particular position and see how others are doing it and see what a resume can look like with and without bullet points. Personally I prefer to use them because I think it looks more professional and helps the person reading your resume to know at a glance if you are a good fit.

  • Deborah Y.
    Deborah Y.

    Do you need an objective

  • James C.
    James C.

    Thanks, may I have some examples pl.

  • Keith M.
    Keith M.

    Thank you for the update

  • Sharon F.
    Sharon F.

    Thanks

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