Personal or impersonal in a technical resume
In CVs or on Linkedin profiles there are often spaces dedicated to past experience.
In those sections, one is supposed to describe what work he/she did and what skills he/she acquired on previous workplaces/projects.
In this context, is it better to describe the experience in a personal or impersonal way?
A personal way (e.g. first person) underlines the subjects:
Project X
While assigned to Project X, I've learned how to mix dangerous chemical ingredients in a cauldron to bring out their hidden potential. Eventually, along with my team, we pushed further the research on superhuman abilities.
An impersonal way, to my understanding, underlines the skills acquired:
Project X
Manufacturing and treating of dangerous chemical ingredients. Testing of superhuman abilities in a controlled environment. Eating of snacks in the down times.
2 answers
I would skip the poetry, but use the personal approach.
Project X
I had several duties on this project. My primary responsibility was mixing dangerous chemicals in a cauldron for various experiments, including an attempt to liquefy kryptonite. In my second year on this project, I joined a team devising new procedures for testing the limits of Spiderman's strength, and how far Batman can throw a Batarang. We also attempted to test the upper limit of how much marijuana Snoop Dogg can smoke, however, due to experimental design errors, we failed to find a definitive limit.
I have read many resumes; and I find this "formal personal" approach the easiest to read.
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While I get the feeling this might get deemed "opinion based" I've reviewed a few hundred technical CVs in my time (for my sins) so here goes nothing!
Personal
Use of "I.." or "My role.." type statements a) humanize you so the person reading the CV can see you as a human being rather than just the CV and b) they tie the achievements to you. Impersonal does emphasize the skills but that's what a Skills section is for. When describing the experience you want to emphasize the person getting that experience (i.e. the person whose CV it is).
PS: If you ever want a friendly eye casting over your CV there's usually someone in Workplace SE chat who'll take a look for you.
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