Matt Glodz
June 29, 2021
When preparing your resume, aim to craft as many achievement-based bullet points as possible.
By quantifying the results you achieved using numbers, you’ll build your credibility and impress recruiters.
That said, your grammar also needs to be accurate.
In this article, we’ll discuss the standard grammar rules for writing numbers as well as recommended approaches for using numbers on resumes.
According to both the AP Stylebook and The Business Style Handbook, the following rules apply when writing out numbers:
There are a few exceptions to this general rule where you should always use figures, including the following:
On your resume, you can choose to go against standard convention and use figures for numbers 1-9 for two reasons:
Because you have limited space on your resume, using the number “5” instead of writing out “five” can save you just enough space to keep a bullet point from spilling onto the next line – especially if you need to squeeze in multiple numbers.
Using numbers can also help your accomplishments stand out.
When you have multiple bullet points that consist primarily of text, numbers under 10 can easily blend into the rest of the content.
For example, compare the following two bullet points:
It’s easy to see how the structure of the first bullet point makes the numbers more prominent.
When including numbers on your resume, the most important thing is to be consistent.
If you are preparing a resume for an academic context, however, we advise sticking to convention.
By following the guidelines above and sticking to one approach throughout your document, you can be sure to avoid any red flags.
Such an approach will ensure your resume is accomplishment driven and doesn't simply list the tasks you were responsible for day-to-day.
Resume Pilots is an award-winning executive resume writing firm and a proud member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches. Our previous clients include CEOs and senior executives at the world's leading companies.
As a professional services firm, we take your reputation seriously. We are committed to delivering writing excellence and superior service while operating with integrity and discretion. Recruitment firms we partner with also trust us to consistently deliver quality documents for their clients.
Our writers have studied in the Ivy League and other top-tier universities and have strong writing backgrounds coupled with industry experience.
Resume, Cover Letter, and LinkedIn Writing Services: If you are looking for end-to-end support, hire one of our professional resume writers to rewrite your documents from the ground up.
Executive Resume Template Downloads: If you plan to prepare your own resume, consider using one of our classic, ATS-friendly resume templates for Microsoft Word.
Matt Glodz is the Founder and Managing Partner of Resume Pilots and a Certified Professional Resume Writer.
After studying business communication at Cornell University, Matt worked within Fortune 500 companies, where he noted that qualified candidates were frequently denied interview opportunities due to poorly written documents.
At Resume Pilots, Matt combines his business and writing background - which includes prior work for a Chicago Tribune publication - to craft resumes that give his clients the best chance of landing interviews. He works with clients ranging from CEOs to recent graduates and has been writing resumes for over 10 years.
He has been quoted on numerous business and career-related topics in outlets including Business Insider, CNBC, Fortune, Glassdoor, The Ladders, and Thrive Global.
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