Should you put periods on your resume? Generally, no. Most modern resumes omit periods at the end of bullet points and contact information to maintain a clean, consistent, and professional look. This guide breaks down the nuances and offers clear advice.
Navigating the little details on a resume can feel like a minefield, right? One of those common questions that pops up is about punctuation: specifically, should you use periods at the end of your bullet points or contact details? It might seem minor, but getting it right contributes to a polished and professional impression. Don’t worry, though! I’m here to demystify this common resume conundrum. We’ll walk through the best practices together, so you can feel confident about your resume’s presentation.
Why the Period Question Matters
The way you format your resume, down to the smallest punctuation mark, speaks volumes to hiring managers and recruiters. It’s a subtle yet powerful indicator of your attention to detail and your understanding of professional communication standards. In the competitive job market, every element of your resume, including punctuation, plays a role in making a positive first impression. A clean, consistent, and error-free resume signals that you are meticulous and professional, qualities highly valued by employers.
Think of your resume as your personal marketing document. Its primary goal is to secure you an interview. To achieve this, it needs to be easily scannable, visually appealing, and free from anything that might distract or detract from your qualifications. The debate over periods on resumes stems from a desire for a modern, streamlined look that prioritizes readability and impact.
The General Rule: No Periods for Bullet Points
In most contemporary resume styles, the prevailing advice is to omit periods at the end of bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements. This practice is rooted in a few key principles:
- Consistency: Using periods inconsistently (some bullet points with, some without) looks messy and unprofessional. Omitting them entirely creates a cleaner, more uniform appearance.
- Conciseness: Resume bullet points are meant to be brief, impactful statements. Periods can sometimes make them feel more like complete sentences, which isn’t always the goal. The focus is on action verbs and quantifiable results.
- Modern Aesthetic: Many modern resume templates and design trends favor a minimalist approach, and periods at the end of bullet points can be seen as extraneous clutter.
Let’s look at an example:
Before (with periods)
- Managed social media accounts and increased engagement by 15%.
- Developed new marketing strategies that boosted lead generation.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams on project completion.
After (without periods)
- Managed social media accounts and increased engagement by 15%
- Developed new marketing strategies that boosted lead generation
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams on project completion
As you can see, the version without periods feels a bit cleaner and more direct. It’s a subtle difference, but in the world of resume design, these small details can add up.
When Might You See Periods on a Resume?
While the general rule is to skip periods for bullet points, there are a few specific instances where you might encounter or even choose to use them:
1. Contact Information
For your contact information, especially if you’re listing multiple pieces of data on a single line, periods can sometimes be used to separate them or to signify the end of a distinct piece of information. However, many modern resumes opt for clean spacing or simple dividers like pipes (|) instead of periods.
Example (using periods):
Jane Doe | 123 Main Street, Anytown, CA 90210. (555) 123-4567 | jane.doe@email.com
Example (without periods, more common):
Jane Doe | 123 Main Street, Anytown, CA 90210 | (555) 123-4567 | jane.doe@email.com
The key here is consistency. If you use periods to separate contact details, do it for all of them. However, using spaces or pipes is often preferred for a cleaner look.
2. Older Resume Styles or Specific Industry Norms
Some older resume formats or specific industries might still adhere to more traditional punctuation rules. If you’re applying for a role in a very traditional field (like law or academia) or if you’re adapting a resume from a very old template, you might see periods used. However, for most modern professional roles, especially in tech, marketing, and creative fields, omitting periods is the standard.
Tip: If you’re unsure, check out resume examples from reputable career services websites or professional organizations in your target industry. For instance, many university career centers offer excellent resume guides.
3. Full Sentences
If, for some reason, you are writing full, grammatically complete sentences for your resume bullet points (which is generally discouraged for conciseness), then standard English grammar would dictate ending those sentences with a period.
Example (less common, using full sentences):
- I successfully managed all social media accounts for the company, which resulted in a 15% increase in user engagement over six months.
- My team and I developed and implemented new marketing strategies that significantly boosted lead generation by 20%.
Again, this approach is less common because recruiters often prefer scannable bullet points focusing on action and results rather than narrative sentences.
When to Absolutely Avoid Periods
There are certain places where periods are almost always a no-go on a resume:
- Job Titles: Never end a job title with a period.
- Company Names: Similarly, company names should not end with a period.
- Location Details (City, State): When listed with job experience, these usually don’t need periods.
- Dates: Dates (e.g., “May 2023 – Present”) do not require periods.
- Skills Listed as Keywords: If you have a “Skills” section with keywords like “Project Management,” “Microsoft Excel,” “Customer Service,” do not add periods after each skill.
The Importance of Consistency
Regardless of whether you choose to use periods or not, the absolute most crucial rule is consistency. If you decide to omit periods from your bullet points, ensure every single bullet point follows this rule. If you’re using a template that does include periods, ensure all bullet points adhere to that. Inconsistency is far more noticeable and detrimental to your resume’s professionalism than the presence or absence of a single period.
Think of it like this: If you’re wearing a suit, you want your tie to match your belt, and your shoes to complement the outfit. You don’t want one sock peeking out of your shoe. Consistency in your resume’s formatting creates that same sense of put-togetherness and attention to detail.
Resume Formatting Best Practices
Beyond the period question, here are some other formatting tips to ensure your resume is professional and effective:
1. Use Action Verbs
Start each bullet point with a strong action verb. This makes your contributions sound dynamic and impactful. Examples include: Managed, Developed, Led, Created, Implemented, Analyzed, Collaborated, Negotiated, Streamlined.
2. Quantify Your Achievements
Whenever possible, use numbers and data to demonstrate the impact of your work. This makes your accomplishments more concrete and impressive.
- Instead of: “Improved customer satisfaction.”
- Try: “Improved customer satisfaction scores by 25% through proactive issue resolution.”
3. Keep it Concise and Scannable
Recruiters often spend only a few seconds scanning a resume initially. Use bullet points, clear headings, and ample white space to make it easy to read. Aim for one to two pages, depending on your experience level.
4. Choose a Clean Font
Opt for professional, easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Georgia, or Lato. Stick to one or two complementary fonts and maintain a consistent font size (typically 10-12 points for body text and slightly larger for headings).
5. Proofread Meticulously
Typos and grammatical errors can quickly disqualify a candidate. Proofread your resume multiple times, and ask a trusted friend or mentor to review it as well. Tools like Grammarly can also be helpful.
When to Use a Period (and When Not To) – A Quick Reference
Here’s a table summarizing the common scenarios:
| Resume Element | Should You Use a Period? | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| End of bullet points (responsibilities/achievements) | Generally No | Modern aesthetic, conciseness, consistency. |
| Contact Information (e.g., phone, email) | Optional, but usually No | Cleanliness and consistency. Pipes (|) or spaces are often preferred. |
| Job Titles | No | Standard professional formatting. |
| Company Names | No | Standard professional formatting. |
| Dates (e.g., Month Year – Month Year) | No | Standard professional formatting. |
| Skills listed as keywords | No | Clean, scannable list format. |
| Full sentences (if used) | Yes | Standard English grammar rules apply. (Though full sentences are often discouraged). |
What About Different Resume Sections?
Let’s break down punctuation by common resume sections:
Contact Information
As discussed, you’ll often see your name, address, phone number, and email. If listed on separate lines, no periods are needed. If you try to cram them onto one line, you might use periods or pipes for separation. The trend is towards cleaner separation without periods.
Summary/Objective Statement
If you write this as a short paragraph, standard punctuation applies – end sentences with periods. If it’s a few short, punchy phrases, you might omit periods, but consistency is key.
Work Experience
This is where the “no period” rule for bullet points is most relevant. Focus on action verbs and impactful, concise statements. Avoid ending these with periods.
Education
Degree names, university names, dates, and GPA (if included) typically do not end with periods.
- Bachelor of Science in Marketing, University of California, Berkeley, 2022
- GPA: 3.8/4.0
Skills
This section is usually a list of keywords. No periods are needed here.
- Technical Skills: Python, SQL, Tableau, Microsoft Azure
- Soft Skills: Communication, Teamwork, Problem-Solving, Adaptability
Resources for Resume Formatting
For more detailed guidance on resume writing and formatting, consider these reputable sources:
- University Career Centers: Most universities offer extensive online resources and guides for students and alumni. For example, Stanford University’s Career Education provides excellent advice.
- U.S. Department of Labor: The official government site offers career information and resources. While not specific to resume formatting, it provides context on job searching and skills. You can find resources via CareerOneStop.
- Professional Organizations: Many professional bodies related to your field will have career advice sections, including resume tips tailored to your industry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Should I put a period at the end of my resume’s summary statement?
A1: If your summary is a complete sentence or short paragraph, yes, follow standard grammar and use a period. If it’s just a few key phrases, periods are usually omitted for a cleaner look.
Q2: Is it okay to use periods in my address?
A2: Generally, no. City, State abbreviations don’t need periods. If you’re writing out “Street” or “Avenue,” some style guides might suggest abbreviating to “St.” or “Ave.” without a period, but consistency is more important than the period itself.
Q3: What if my resume template already has periods on the bullet points?
A3: If you’re using a template, it’s usually best to stick with its formatting conventions, including the presence or absence of periods on bullet points, to maintain a consistent design. However, if you’re building your own or modifying one, omitting them is the modern standard.
Q4: Do I need a period after my email address or phone number?
A4: No, you typically do not need a period after your email address or phone number in the contact section.
Q5: What about periods in the “Skills” section?
A5: Definitely no periods in the “Skills” section, especially if it’s a list of keywords. This keeps the section clean and easy to scan.
Q6: Are there any exceptions to the “no period on bullet points” rule?
A6: The main exception is if you are writing out full, grammatically complete sentences for your bullet points, which is generally not recommended for conciseness. In that case, standard sentence-ending punctuation would apply.
Conclusion
So, to circle back to our initial question: Should you put periods on your resume? For the vast majority of modern resumes, the answer is a resounding no, especially for bullet points describing your experience and achievements. This approach contributes to a cleaner, more professional, and scannable document. Remember that consistency is your best friend – whatever style you choose, apply it uniformly across your entire resume.
By paying attention to these seemingly small details, you’re demonstrating a level of care and professionalism that can significantly enhance your resume’s impact. Your goal is to make it as easy as possible for a recruiter to see your value. Keep your bullet points action-oriented, your achievements quantifiable, and your formatting clean and consistent. You’ve got this!