Usage of Bullets

One of the important resume writing tips these days is usage of bullets within your resume. Bullet format is an important part of the resume writing. It helps the applicant in specifying his strengths and credentials impressively while helping the recruiter in analyzing and short-listing the contents quickly. However, at times the applicants tend to overdo and put too many bullets in the resume. It not only spoils the look of the resume but also gives an impression that the applicant has used the bullets format blindly.

Excessive Usage of Bullets: Good or Bad ?

It is recommended not to use bullets excessively. Once you finalize on the contents and flow of the resume, concentrate on formatting it, which includes highlights, spacing and bullets/numbering. Use other forms of highlights for introducing new sections. Only the details within each section or sub section should be bulleted. This way you can ensure appropriate usage of bullets.

Where Not to Use Bullet Form?

Header

This section includes your name and contact details like address, email id and telephone number. Do not bullet any of the points. Give a title to each point, make it bold or underline it in order to highlight them. Refrain from using bullets at the very start of your resume.

Subtitles

Similar to the header, while starting with a new section, highlight the title and start writing from the next line. Highlighting the title is enough to display the start of a new section to the reader. Moreover, you would bullet the different points under the section. Hence, avoid usage of bullets for both subtitle and details, as it would lead to overuse of bullets.

Tabular Form

Applicants prefer to write the educational qualification in tabular format for better understanding of the reader. It helps to present information in rows and columns under suitable titles. Do not make the mistake of using bullets in tabular formats. Firstly, it is not required. Secondly, it looks odd.

Personal Details/ References

Refrain from using bullets in either of these sections. The personal details section includes details such as hobbies, marital status, etc. while references includes name, organization name and email id of the referrer. To present these details, give the title in bold one after the other, put a colon after each and write about it, without numbering or bulleting. Only if you are mentioning more than one reference, you can use a bullet to start each reference.

Advantages of Bullet Form Writing:

• Bullets writing form improves the readability of the resume, as it is easier and more convenient to read. This form quickly catches the eye of the recruiter.
• With bullet form, one can sort and write different details under separate points. This form allows the reader to shortlist the details. He can go through the ones that matter to him and let go of those that are insignificant.
• It reduces the reader's time and effort in analyzing the resume.
• Usage of bullets translates few attributes of the applicant to the employer. It displays preparedness and a strong thought process of the writer. It shows that the applicant has planned his resume well and he is clear as to what he wants to put down in the resume
• With passage writing, you have to be extra cautious with the grammar and sentence construction to maintain a good flow in reading. On the contrary, bullet format allows you to write concise and to the point without affecting the readability of the resume. Moreover, it is possible to begin sentence with a verb.
• In bullet writing form, you can begin each sentence with a verb. Using action verbs like supervised, trained, improved or achieved help to express your efforts and contributions in better manner.
• This form allows you to arrange details in order of importance or relevance. Hence, you can present the significant details, prior to other details.

Is excessive usage of bullets good? No. A proper balance of bold fonts, bullets and spacing is necessary to give the resume a good appearance. It is believed that the recruiter reads a well-presented resume longer. Ensure you make this saying an advantage in your case.