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When writing a résumé or CV, I’ve read that:

  • Use the present tense when referring to accomplishments that are ongoing.

  • Use the past tense (ending in –ed) when referring to accomplishments that you have completed.

Does present tense mean “present simple” only, or is “present continuous” also right?

For example, I want to add a new entry on my CV saying:

  • Awaiting a new assignment as an external consultant.

  • Researching and taking training on. . . .

Is that right, or should I use the present simple instead?

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  • OT, but it's either "waiting for X" or "awaiting X" with no for. Also, it's "assignment", one E.
    – RegDwigнt
    Commented Oct 23, 2013 at 13:27
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    This question appears to be off-topic because it is about writing advice.
    – Kris
    Commented Oct 23, 2013 at 13:47
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    This isn't writing advice, it's grammar. Compare this question, which wasn't closed.
    – Peter Shor
    Commented Oct 23, 2013 at 13:48

1 Answer 1

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For résumés, in general you should use present continuous when the entry is temporary and simple present when it's permanent. For example: "knows 27 programming languages well" should be in simple present, and "learning Prolog, F#, and Haskell" should be in present continuous. And here the boundary between "temporary" and "permanent" is fuzzy. I don't have any guidelines for deciding on questionable entries; you should use your best judgment.

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  • Thanks. This is in general, but what about resumés?, Should I apply exactly the same rules?, Or is more common to use the present simple?
    – skan
    Commented Oct 23, 2013 at 19:59
  • Then I will use the continuous form because is temporary.
    – skan
    Commented Oct 23, 2013 at 20:00

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