Submitted by ashdenver on
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[b][u]BLUF[/u]: Should I refer to myself in the third person ("Ash did this") or should I stick to first person ("I did this")?[/b]
In an effort to find myself "the right job" I've gotten myself a website domain on which I have started compiling my "portfolio."
Given that my chosen profession is payroll management, a portfolio is a rather unique concept. I have an actual portfolio with tabbed sections with samples of accomplishments, projects, etc. I've created over the years. I have historically had a better job-offer rate when I've brought and shared my portfolio.
Now that we're in a more digital age, I thought the online version would be a step in the right direction. I am then able to allow potential employers the opportunity to review my portfolio at length, at their leisure.
I've already got my resume online in both HTML / in-page display as well as a clickable Word .doc format for printing. Now I'm working on the projects, software, etc. sections.
[b]Should I refer to myself in the third person ("Ash did this") or should I stick to first person ("I did this")?[/b]
I started with third-person and now I'm leaning toward first-person.
To me, 3rd-person sounds more professional (like a press release) but ...
The 1st-person is more like a conversational, face-to-face, let's establish this rapport now kind of thing, like I'm talking directly to you about what I've done & we're having an extended conversation through this website.
Thoughts?
Re: Preferred format when referring to oneself?
[quote="ashdenver"][b][u]BLUF[/u]: Should I refer to myself in the third person ("Ash did this") or should I stick to first person ("I did this")?[/b][/quote]
I don't do either of those things. I omit the subject entirely on my resume. ("Doubled the productivity of a team of ten developers in X months." "Saved the company Y dollars in one-time costs, and an additional Z dollars per year in recurring costs." "Won the PDQ Product of the Year Award.")
The reader can reasonably be expected to know to whom I'm referring.
Preferred format when referring to oneself?
I'm talking about web pages. I'm drafting multiple pages of content that outline projects on which I've worked, implementations I've accomplished, products I've created - along with PDF samples for review.
I don't think I can get away with a single statement without a subject on a page.
I'm aiming to pull together a few (short) paragraphs that hit the high point of some of the things on my resume.
"Doubled the productivity of a team of ten developers in X months."
... might become ...
"Ash/I doubled the productivity of a team of ten developers in X months by leveraging this, exploiting that and then overcoming this other obstacle. While the goal was to improve A, Ash/I also improved B, C and D by X, Y and Z in the process.
"Through these improvements, Ash/I was able to optimize the widget access throughout the entire organization to ABC level - a company first."
Preferred format when referring to oneself?
My vote is for I, or "we" when you are part of a team effort.
Anyone you send to the site is going to know you are the author, and I think the use of the third person in this case would sound overly formal, or even contrived.
Preferred format when referring to oneself?
It's hard to tell without seeing it. But I can say referring to yourself in the 3rd person is just odd so stay away from that. IF there are only two options, go with "I". But keep the "I"s to minimal use. Otherwise it will just sound pompous.
Preferred format when referring to oneself?
What's wrong with "doubled the productivity"...?
Mark
Preferred format when referring to oneself?
I would consider this an extension of your resume. They know who you are, and why they are looking at the site, so 'I' or 'Ash' would be redundant. Action verbs, understood subjects, and go forward.
Then again, I wouldn't leave my hard-copy portfolio at home, either. I don't think 'you can visit my portfolio online' has nearly the impact of 'let me show you a few of the things I've done in my career'.