Mextesol Journal (Nov 2020)
Resume Writing in English: Comparing the Beliefs and Practices of Mexican University Students with Conventions in English-Speaking Countries
Abstract
This study compares the beliefs and practices of Me xican university students with conventions of resume writing in English. Due to the nonexistence of a single definitive source on resume writing and the differences between conventions in English-speaking countries and in Mexico, students may make incorrect assumptions. Forty up-to-date, credible sources were surveyed to establish these conventions. A questionnaire on student beliefs and practices was given, and two student resumes were analyzed, one collected before a presentation of the conventions, and one after.The results show a lack of knowledge as to what constitutes an effective resume in English. The students were taught in school wrong elements and included them on their first resumes. However, these results must be interpreted according to the survey of forty sources, which revealed that English resume conventions are not as straightforward or uniform as one might expect. Students should not only be taught common conventions, but also conflicting viewpoints and the importance of tailoring their resumes to specific job offers. In this way, students can understand that there is no catch-all prescription for a resume, and that their own best judgement should be used for its composition.
