cv personal statement tense

Should your CV be in past or present tense?

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When sitting down to write your CV, you’ve probably wondered, “Should my CV be written in the past or present tense?

Well, the answer is actually both.

Different sections of your CV will require different tenses.

This guide will show you where to use which tense in your CV and how to write in them.

Where to use present tense in your CV

You should use the present tense in 2 key areas of your CV :

• Your CV profile (the opening paragraph)
• Your current job position , if you are in a job right now

In these 2 sections you are explaining what you are currently doing, and what your abilities are in this current period of time.

So, it’s important to use the present tense here.

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Your profile

Your CV profile sits at the top of the first page and is your chance to introduce yourself to the recruiter with a short paragraph.

Your profile is a high-level overview of what skills you currently possess, and what you can offer employers

Because you are talking about who you are and what you do right now, you need to use the present tense in your CV profile.

For example;

• Do write: “ An accomplished administrator with practical knowledge of Microsoft Office”
• Don’t write: “ I have previous admin experience and have used Microsoft Word”

Here are some examples to show you how to do this:

Example CV summaries

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Your current job

Your CV work experience is where you describe your current and previous jobs.

If you are currently employed, then your current job must be written in the present tense to show recruiters that you are actively carrying out the responsibilities and achievements you are writing about.

For example:

• Do write: “ Supporting a team of sales reps and providing regular reports to management”
• Don’t write: “ I supported a team of sales reps and provided regular reports to management”

Check out some examples of how to do this below:

Example CV current jobs

• Compose, publish, and update job advertisements for vacancies to online job boards.
• Work closely with managers to fill positions quickly and accurately.
• Source candidates and conduct comprehensive background checks.
• Manage multiple vacancies at one time using Trello software to ensure KPIs are met.

Outline Administer IV medication and fluid therapies for paediatric patients at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, working alongside doctors and Registered Nurse’s to coordinate and execute acute and long term patient treatment plans.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive nursing assessment of patients before, during and after procedure.
• Establish IV access for infusion patients, monitor IV and document all actions and assessments appropriately in EMR.
• Accurately prepare and administer IV therapies per physician orders.
• Anticipate and proactively plan for educational needs of patients and families.

Outline Handle cages and platforms to move supplies, for one of the leading rigging companies that specialises in rigging and moving heavy machinery and industrial equipment, such as HVAC systems, generators, and CNC machines.

• Operate various material-moving equipment according to schedule and instructions from project managers.
• Drive pilings into earth to provide support for buildings and other structures.
• Set-up the correct cranes and hoist objects to complete tasks efficiently, while responding to questions and instructions clearly and quickly.
• Inspect machines and tools, perform routine maintenance processes, and initiated additional repair requests from mechanics when necessary.

Where to use past tense in your CV

As lots of the information you’re providing in your CV is based on past employment, studies, or accomplishments, there will be sections that require you to use the past tense when writing it .

These sections mainly include your previous jobs and education section.

Your previous jobs

When talking about your previous job roles, you need to write each job’s details in the past tense to show the work was done in the past.

This means that when listing your key responsibilities and accomplishments during your time in that particular job or company, you use language that lets the employer know this was something you used to do, or that you once achieved – not something you are still doing.

The same applies to your education , achievements, or hobbies sections. If these were completed in the past or you no longer take part in these activities, they must be written in the past tense.

Example previous jobs on CV

Outline Worked for a private mental health clinic in London with 3,200 patients from across the city, supporting office staff with daily administration and patient file management.

• Informed clients of required documentation needed for their appointments.
• Processed client contacts, insurance providers and information changes.
• Transcribed doctor’s notes and provided administrative support for all written correspondence.
• Prepared and completed office reports as projects as assigned by the office coordinator including prebilling and insurance audits.
• Managed and operated picture cameras to record scenes related to TV broadcasts, advertisements, and motion films.
• Executed each shot according to technical aspects, such as light, lenses, camera film, and filters to accomplish desired effects.
• Decided on camera placement to capture pictures, compose shots, and shoot scenes.
• Communicated with the director of photography, make-up artists, lighting crew, and sound employees to create the finest optical effects.
• Processed all incoming 999 and non-emergency telephone calls to calmly determine necessary steps in a multitude of circumstances.
• Dispatched calls for nine police divisions, eight fire departments, four ambulance services and other emergency/non-emergency providers.
• Created electronic records and logs of activity using dispatch CAD systems.
• Established precedence of importance in seeking and passing on information and coordinating action.

What is present tense?

Tense refers to the use of verbs that allow you to show or express time (or when something happened) when writing.

Present tense means using language to express an action that is happening now or something that is ongoing.

So, in your CV, the present tense is used when writing about work that you are currently doing, or to explain that you are currently qualified in a profession.

For example: “I am currently providing business consulting services and am Prince2 qualified.”

What is past tense?

The past tense is when you’re using language to discuss something that has already happened or the previous state of something.

It is the verb form you use for an event that has passed, for example, describing something that happened yesterday, last year, or 10 years ago.

In your CV, you would use the past tense to write about previous jobs, or achievements you made in studies.

For example: “Led an experienced research team and created a number of published reports”