Resume Basics – English Capitalization
Consistency throughout a resume and cover letter is crucial as it demonstrates one’s grasp of language as well as attention to detail, factors which are typically highly sought after in any position. Capitalization consistency is particularly important when it comes to writing these documents, or any other professional correspondence or documents. Remaining consistent throughout your resume and cover letter, while also following locally-accepted grammar conventions, is key. Though you may be thinking to yourself that capitalization is something simple that need not be reviewed, it is one of the most common mistakes seen on resumes and cover letters and these simple mistakes can result in your applications being rejected time and time again.
When used correctly, capitalization helps convey importance by emphasizing titles and headers within a sentence. Pay special attention to titles and dates as these are typically where we see the most errors. Here are some examples of how capitalization should be used for dates and titles:
Dates:
Always capitalize the first letter of days and months. As an added note, ensure that the format of all dates is precisely consistent throughout each document (ie. the number form may include short forms such as 16th, but then each date throughout must be formatted the same).
Example – Wednesday, August 16, 2023 or Wednesday, August 16th, 2023
Titles:
Always capitalize the first letter of any job title or company name.
Example – Project Manager, Hamilton Recruiting NOT Project manager, Hamilton recruiting
If appropriately used, capitalization conveys attention to detail, instills confidence in your abilities and comprehension of the English language, as well as portrays professionalism. Conversely, if used improperly, it can cast doubt on your competence and tarnish your credibility.
Here are a few more tips for when to capitalize when writing a resume or cover letter:
1. Start every sentence with a capital letter: This ensures clear sentence structure and readability.
2. Capitalize proper nouns: Proper nouns (names, places, organizations, and titles) should always be capitalized.
3. Use capital letters for days, months, and holidays: As previously mentioned, dates are important when thinking about capitalization and are among the most common mistakes that we see when looking at resumes and cover letters.
4. Capitalize titles and headings: The main words in titles on your resume, such as “Work Experience” should always be capitalized. Minor words are not capitalized unless they are the first or last word in the title. (Examples of minor words are; a, the, and, or, in, on, at, etc.)
5. Capitalize acronyms and initials: Shortened versions of phrases or titles, and the initials representing a name should always be capitalized. For example, “HR” (Hamilton Recruiting) and “K. Hamilton”.
When you are finished writing your resume and cover letter, always proofread and edit them carefully, at least one time. It is also wise to have a few family members or friends, who are strong written communicators, take a good look at through as well. This will ensure hiring managers and human resource departments can focus on your skills and experience when they are considering your application.
For more resume formatting information please see our next blog on Punctuation.