Tense, tone and writing style

Should I use "I" on my resume?

Usually no. Resumes are normally written in "implied first person": you leave out "I", "me" and "my", and start bullets with a verb. This saves space and is the style readers expect.

Example: write "Prepared monthly payroll for 200 employees", not "I prepared monthly payroll for 200 employees."

The summary can follow the same style: "Payroll specialist with seven years' experience in multinational firms." In some countries and sectors a short first-person summary is acceptable, such as "I am a payroll specialist with...", but do not mix both styles in one document. A cover letter, by contrast, is written in full first person.

Also avoid "my" and "me" inside bullets. "Supported my manager with reports" reads more cleanly as "Prepared weekly reports for the operations manager." Starting each bullet with a verb keeps the focus on your actions and gives every line the same clear shape.

Reviewed · by the ResumeBuilder.ae editorial team

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Templates to try

Free to edit and preview. Single-column layouts are the safest choice for applicant tracking systems.

ATS Professional

Single column

Use this template: ATS Professional

ATS Classic

Single column

Use this template: ATS Classic

ATS Modern

Single column

Use this template: ATS Modern

General guidance for job seekers, not legal or immigration advice. Employers and applicant tracking systems differ, so always follow the instructions in the job advert. Spotted a mistake? Email support@jobb.ae.

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