Do You Use First Person In Resume

So, last week I was helping a friend with her resume. She’s a graphic designer, super talented, but her resume was. . . let’s say, a little quirky. She’d written it in first person, like, "I designed branding packages" and "I managed client projects. " And she asked me what I thought. Was it okay? Should she rewrite it? My immediate thought was: It depends. Let me explain.

First person in resumes is tricky. It’s not the standard, but it’s not completely off-limits either. Most resumes avoid first person because they’re supposed to be more polished, more professional. Employers generally expect a kind of shorthand, like "Designed branding packages" or "Managed client projects. " But if you’re going for a role that thrives on personality, maybe you’re applying to a startup or freelance gig, it might work.

Here’s what I told my friend: First person is conversational, and it feels personal. But that’s not always what hiring managers want, especially for traditional jobs. If you’re applying for a corporate role or something super structured, first person can come across as casual, maybe even unprofessional. You’ve got to think about who’s reading this thing.

Another issue with first person is consistency. If you’re saying "I did this" and "I accomplished that" all over the resume, it can start to feel repetitive. And honestly, resumes already have a tendency to be repetitive. Most people struggle to keep their descriptions varied enough, so adding "I" all over the place just amplifies that problem. No one wants to read "I managed budgets. I led meetings. I developed strategies. " See what I mean? It gets old fast.

But let’s flip it a bit. When could first person work? If you’re in a creative field, like graphic design, writing, or consulting, something where your personality is part of the brand, it might make sense to include some personal touches. Maybe you’re building a narrative in your resume, like explaining your career journey in a top section before diving into achievements. Something like "I started as a freelance designer and grew my business over five years" could work in that context. It’s conversational but still professional. It’s storytelling, not just listing skills.

Still, I wouldn’t recommend writing the whole resume in first person, even in a creative field. Even if personal branding is your thing, you want to balance that with the expectations of a professional document. The bulk of a resume should stick to the standard format: action verbs, bullet points, no pronouns. Save the first person flair for small sections like an objective or summary. You can introduce yourself there without making the whole resume conversational.

And then there’s the flip side: third person. I’ve heard people ask if third person is more professional than first. The quick answer? No. Writing your resume like you’re a character in a novel, "John is a marketing professional with 10 years of experience", is an immediate red flag. It feels stiff and unnatural. Plus, let’s be real, it’s kind of weird.

At the end of the day, resumes are all about context. Think about who’s reading your application and what they expect. If you’re not sure, stick with the classic approach. Action verbs, no pronouns, clean structure. It’s safe and widely accepted. But if your potential employer is looking for creativity, you have a little more room to play. Just don’t overdo it.

Oh, and one last thing. If you do decide to use first person, even sparingly, make sure it’s polished. Casual doesn’t mean sloppy. Proofread like your life depends on it. Typos and grammar mistakes stand out even more when you’re using first person because it’s all "you" on display. Don’t give anyone a reason to doubt your professionalism.

So, back to my friend. After a bit of back and forth, she decided to rewrite her resume. She kept the first person out of the main sections but used it in her summary to explain her career path. It worked for her because it showcased her personality without breaking the rules. And you know what? She got the interview. Not saying the resume was the only reason, but it definitely didn’t hurt.

What about you? Have you ever used first person in a resume or thought about it? Did it work? Or was it a total flop?