Author Topic: Abbreviations on Resumes  (Read 7315 times)

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Bwoodbury

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Abbreviations on Resumes
« on: Jun 06, 2009, 03:25 pm »
I'm updating my resume and I have it down to about one page, but it only fits on one page if I abbreviate stage manager and assistant stage manager as SM and ASM. For those of you doing hiring, would you rather see the abbreviation or the resume going slightly over a page?
Thanks!

MatthewShiner

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Re: Abbreviations on Resumes
« Reply #1 on: Jun 06, 2009, 04:07 pm »
PA, SM, ASM, PSM I would fully expect to see on a resume.  I don't think you need to spell them out.
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ScooterSM

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Re: Abbreviations on Resumes
« Reply #2 on: Jun 06, 2009, 06:47 pm »
I would agree with Matthew that PSM, SM, etc are ok to abbreviate, however, other abbreviations (such as the name of your school or theatre company) are not great.   Especially if you have written it out once,  it is confusing and looks lazy to use an abbreviation later in your resume (my opinion only!!).
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gotracigo

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Re: Abbreviations on Resumes
« Reply #3 on: Jun 06, 2009, 08:22 pm »
Abbreviations such as asm, pa, psm, etc.,  are just fine.  I also think it's acceptable to use abbreviations for schools in order to conserve space.  For example, I reference KCPA-UIUC under the companies I've worked for, but I clarify if further under my education section as Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (KCPA) at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (UIUC). There hasn't seemed to be questions in my interviews about where I did those shows.
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Bwoodbury

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Re: Abbreviations on Resumes
« Reply #4 on: Jun 06, 2009, 10:43 pm »
I haven't found the need to abbreviate schools yet, but I am abbreviating PM and TD. I don't think any of it is stuff that it's common industry abbreviation. I just wasn't sure if it would be seen as lazy or space-conservative.

KMC

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Re: Abbreviations on Resumes
« Reply #5 on: Jun 07, 2009, 02:49 am »
The abbreviations you've mentioned are the industry standard.  However, out of the theatre industry you may want to be a bit more job/role specific.  Depends on the job for which you're applying.
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