Should I Use Bullet Points on My Resume?

Learn when and how to use bullet points effectively on your resume. Includes examples, best practices, and expert tips for creating impactful resume bullet points that get you noticed.

Quick Answer

Yes, you should use bullet points on your resume. Bullet points make your resume more readable, help highlight key achievements, and make it easier for recruiters to scan your qualifications quickly. They're especially important for your work experience section.

Why Bullet Points Are Essential for Modern Resumes

Improved Readability

Recruiters spend an average of just 7.4 seconds scanning a resume initially. Bullet points break up dense text and create white space, making your resume significantly easier to read and scan quickly.

ATS Optimization

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) can more easily parse bullet-pointed information compared to paragraph text. This increases the chances of your resume being properly indexed and ranked for relevant keywords.

Highlighting Achievements

Bullet points draw attention to specific accomplishments and make it easier to showcase quantifiable results, which are crucial for demonstrating your value to potential employers.

When to Use Bullet Points vs. Paragraphs

Use Bullet Points For:

Work experience accomplishments
Key skills and competencies
Technical qualifications
Certifications and credentials
Notable projects and outcomes
Relevant volunteer experience

Use Paragraphs For:

Professional summary/profile
Career objective (if included)
Cover letter content
Job descriptions before bullet points
Personal statements
Contextual information

Bullet Point Best Practices

Keep them concise

Aim for 1-2 lines per bullet point. Anything longer defeats the purpose of quick scanning.

Start with action verbs

Begin each bullet with a powerful action verb like "Increased," "Developed," or "Streamlined."

Quantify achievements

Include numbers, percentages, and metrics whenever possible to demonstrate impact.

Use consistent formatting

Maintain the same bullet style, indentation, and grammatical structure throughout your resume.

Prioritize strategically

List your most impressive and relevant achievements first within each section.

Before & After Examples

Without Bullet Points (Hard to Read)

As Marketing Manager at XYZ Company, I was responsible for all marketing activities including social media management, email campaigns, content creation, and SEO optimization. I managed a team of three specialists and worked with various departments to align marketing goals with company objectives. I increased website traffic by 45% and generated 30% more leads while staying under budget.

With Bullet Points (Scannable)

Marketing Manager at XYZ Company

Led comprehensive marketing strategy across digital channels, resulting in 45% increase in website traffic
Managed a team of 3 specialists, aligning marketing initiatives with company-wide objectives
Generated 30% more qualified leads while maintaining budget constraints
Optimized SEO strategy, improving search rankings for 15 key industry terms

How Many Bullet Points Should You Use?

Current Role: 4-6 bullet points

Your most recent position deserves the most detail as it's typically most relevant to your current job search.

Previous Roles: 2-4 bullet points

Focus on the most impressive and relevant achievements as you go back in your work history.

Roles Older Than 10 Years: 0-2 bullet points

Include only if they demonstrate unique skills or achievements relevant to your current job target.

Skills Section: 8-12 bullet points

Group by category (technical, soft, industry-specific) for better readability.