Can I Abbreviate Months On A Resume?

Abbreviating Months on a Resume

General Guidelines

When writing a resume, it's generally best to spell out months in full, unless it's necessary to conserve space. Here are some guidelines to consider:

• Formal Documents: In formal documents, such as cover letters and resumes, it's generally preferred to write out months in full. This conveys a sense of professionalism.
• Informal Documents: In less formal documents, such as emails and quick messages, using abbreviations for months is more acceptable. However, it's still important to use them sparingly and consistently.
• Consistency: If you choose to abbreviate months, be consistent throughout your resume. Don't mix abbreviated and fully written months.

When Abbreviation is Acceptable

Although it's generally recommended to write out months in full, there may be situations where abbreviation is acceptable.

• Lack of Space: If you're running out of space on your resume, abbreviating months can help you fit in more essential information.
• Multiple Dates: If you have multiple dates on your resume, abbreviating months can make it easier to scan and understand the timeline.
• Industry Standard: In some industries or job descriptions, it may be standard practice to abbreviate months. For example, in finance, three-letter abbreviations for months (e.g., Jan, Feb, Mar) are commonly used.

How to Abbreviate Months

If you decide to abbreviate months on your resume, follow these guidelines:

• Use Standard Abbreviations: Use the standard three-letter abbreviations for months, such as Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.
• Capitalize the First Letter: Capitalize the first letter of each abbreviated month.
• No Period: Do not include a period after abbreviated months.
• Space After Abbreviation: Leave a space after each abbreviated month.

Examples of Abbreviated Months

Here are some examples of how months should be abbreviated on a resume:

• Correct: January 2023 - June 2024
• Correct: 01/23 - 06/24
• Incorrect: January 2023 - June'24
• Incorrect: 01-23-06-24

Conclusion

While it's generally preferable to write out months on a resume, it's acceptable to abbreviate them in certain situations. If you choose to abbreviate, follow the guidelines above to ensure consistency and clarity. Ultimately, the goal of your resume is to present your experience and skills in a professional and easy-to-understand manner.