Icons, Symbols, and Abbreviations in Your Resume

Is it okay to use icons, symbols, and abbreviations in your resume?

Yes and no. A big NO for submitting online through an application portal.

And yes for in person and email attachments, but, use them carefully and strategically:

• Icons are, well, fun and may help to make your resume stand out - mail, phone, location; social media; briefcase for experience; a gear or tool for skills; a ribbon for certifications; a star for associations; a diploma or graduation cap for education

• Symbols, such as an ampersand (&) save space and might be necessary to format one or two lines

• Abbreviations can be used after the first mention of a word - for example, “customer management services” can be referred to as CMS - but, not as “CMS services,” since “services” is already part of the acronym