Whether to include periods in a resume often causes confusion for job seekers preparing their documents. While a period may seem like a small detail, the collective use of punctuation throughout your professional document contributes significantly to its overall aesthetic and perceived attention to detail. A resume’s appearance should convey polish and care, suggesting that the applicant will bring the same level of diligence to their work. Making a deliberate choice about punctuation ensures a clean, professional presentation that helps hiring managers focus on your qualifications rather than grammatical inconsistencies.
The Guiding Principle: Consistency is Key
The single rule that governs all resume punctuation decisions is the principle of consistency. Whatever choice you make regarding the inclusion or omission of periods, that choice must be applied universally throughout the document. Inconsistency immediately signals a lack of attention to detail and can create a distracting, disjointed reading experience for the hiring manager.
This consistency applies to every section, from your contact information to the job description bullet points. If you decide to include periods at the end of achievement statements, every one of those statements must end with a period. Conversely, if you choose to omit them for a cleaner look, you must ensure that no accidental periods remain. Establishing this foundation early simplifies the decision-making process.
Rules for Bullet Points and Action Statements
Bullet points constitute the bulk of the content on most resumes, detailing achievements and responsibilities under work experience. The modern consensus generally favors omitting periods at the end of these achievement-based bullet points. This is largely because these statements are typically written as sentence fragments, beginning with an action verb and omitting the subject, such as “I.”
Since these fragments are not grammatically complete sentences, a period is not required by formal grammar rules. If you opt to write your bullet points as grammatically full sentences, including the implied subject, then periods are mandatory for correctness. Writing with fragments saves space and aligns with the trend toward concise, action-oriented language, making period omission the more common choice. The primary goal is to present information that is easily scannable.
Punctuation in Other Resume Sections
Contact Information
It is recommended to avoid using periods within your contact lines, which typically include your phone number, email address, and physical location. Adding periods to this section is unnecessary and only serves to clutter the header, which should be clear and immediately accessible. Clarity and brevity are the main concerns here, so presenting the information on separate lines without terminal punctuation is the best practice.
Professional Summary or Objective
The rules for the professional summary depend entirely on its structure. If you write this section as a short introductory paragraph using complete sentences, then standard grammatical rules apply, and periods are mandatory at the end of each sentence. If, however, the summary is styled as a series of short, punchy phrases or a brief bulleted list, the rules from the main bullet point section should be applied.
Education and Dates
Periods are not used after dates, location names, or full degree titles listed in the education section. The main exception comes when you use abbreviations for your degree, such as “B.A.” or “Ph.D.,” where the periods are required as part of the abbreviation itself. If you choose to use abbreviations without periods, like “BA” or “MA,” ensure this style is consistent across your entire document.
The Case Against Using Periods
The prevailing preference for omitting periods stems from practical and aesthetic considerations for the modern, streamlined resume. Excluding periods from the ends of bullet points saves valuable space on a document where every line counts, especially when aiming for a single-page presentation. The removal of this punctuation contributes to a cleaner visual flow, making the text appear less dense and more inviting to the eye.
A period-free style is consistent with the fragmented, telegraphic language used in resume writing. This concise, action-verb-focused language is highly valued by hiring managers who spend only a few seconds scanning each application initially.
Final Resume Punctuation Checklist
Before submitting your application, conduct a final review focused solely on punctuation to confirm a polished presentation. First, verify that you have applied your chosen style—either using periods or omitting them—to every bullet point and phrase across the entire work experience section. Next, check that periods only appear where they are grammatically necessary, such as at the end of any full sentences used in your professional summary.
Confirm that your contact information and section headings are free of unnecessary periods or other cluttering punctuation. Finally, proofread for common punctuation errors beyond just periods, such as ensuring that you have not accidentally used a comma after a bullet point or misplaced a period within a degree abbreviation. A meticulous check ensures your document reflects a high level of professional attention to detail.