Find a Job You Really Want In
Throughout history, writers and readers have sought to answer a seemingly straightforward question: do men and women have different writing styles? The prevailing belief suggests that men often write in a manner akin to Hemingway—short, direct, and assertive—while women’s writing is perceived as more nuanced, characterized by softer language and a tendency to avoid bold declarations.
Interestingly, those who label feminine writing as “soft” often fit a specific stereotype, which raises questions about the bias in these assessments.
Feminist theorists like Judith Butler argue that gender is a social construct, suggesting that societal perceptions of masculinity and femininity are shaped more by culture than by biology. They contend that gender is performative, meaning that it is not inherently linked to one’s biological sex. This perspective implies that variations in writing styles should not be strictly tied to gender.
Consequently, one might expect minimal differences between the writing styles of men and women. Factors like upbringing, education, and individual experiences significantly influence writing, making gender-based assumptions less valid.
Yet, despite this understanding, articles frequently emerge discussing the differences in writing styles between genders, often rekindling outdated debates about whether a reader can discern a writer’s gender based on their work.
The Data
At Zippia, we took a closer look at this issue through the lens of resume writing. For this analysis, we focused on the binary of men versus women, acknowledging that this does not encompass all gender identities.
To explore this, we analyzed over 10,000 resumes using the Stanford Named Entity Recognizer (NER), a tool that classifies text and assesses sentiment. The analysis focused on sections of resumes where individuals describe themselves, such as personal statements, summaries, and skill sections.
While we anticipated finding differences in the writing styles between genders, the actual results were surprising. Statistically, there were observable differences, but they were so negligible that they lacked practical significance. Ultimately, no meaningful distinctions emerged between resumes written by men and women, even within the same professions.
However, we did discover a noteworthy trend: resumes from both genders exhibited a predominantly negative sentiment.
The chart above illustrates that resumes were rated on a scale from 0 to 4—where 0 represents negative sentiment and 4 indicates positivity. Surprisingly, the data revealed a bell curve, with a peak score of 1.5, marking 15% of the resumes.
A score of 1.5 signals a slight negativity, just shy of the neutral score of 2, which raises questions about the prevalence of negative language in resumes.
Our Analysis
One theory for this trend is that assertive writing can effectively capture attention, especially when trying to impress potential employers. Resumes are designed to highlight an individual’s strengths, making it counterintuitive to adopt a modest tone.
Moreover, the brevity of resumes complicates the use of empathetic language. Given the common advice to keep resumes concise, it becomes challenging to convey warmth in such limited space.
“I know I wrote that I planned to ‘cyberbully my next boss for no reason,’ but in my defense, the resume was very short. How else do I show people I mean business on one single-spaced page?”
Resumes typically focus on verbs and actions, which can inadvertently sound harsh. For instance, the most negatively rated resume in our database states:
- “Highly experienced truck driver/equipment operator with ten plus years of driving. Attended driver training courses to maintain compliance with DOT, OSHA, and CSA regulations. Successfully navigated all 48 states and Canada, in inclement weather and hauling various products, safely and on time with no accidents or citations.”
This example shows a lack of personal reference, as the writer emphasizes actions over personal qualities. In contrast, a more positively rated resume features statements such as:
- “Working diverse jobs has enhanced my ability to operate efficiently under pressure. I have worked as a farm hand and as a Fiber Optic Technician, consistently completing tasks successfully and acquiring vital skills necessary for growth in any field.”
Here, the writer often uses the first person and emphasizes positive attributes rather than focusing on challenges faced, suggesting a more optimistic tone.
Final Thoughts
While the Stanford NER offers valuable insights, it is essential to recognize that automated tools lack the nuanced understanding of context that humans possess. The subjective nature of language means that a computer may not accurately assess a resume’s sentiment.
“Enjoy the beauty of the city skyline before the inevitable robot uprising changes everything.”
Understanding context is crucial when crafting a resume. This data serves as a reflection of the overall trends in resume writing, offering a useful perspective for job seekers.
For those looking to enhance their resumes with a more positive tone, consider framing your experiences in an uplifting way. Rather than focusing on what you have avoided or overcome, highlight the fulfilling aspects of your work, your passions, and your aspirations.
“Ever since I started selling stocks, I’ve experienced a transformation. Selling stocks is exhilarating!”
Ultimately, don’t let concerns about gender implications in your writing style deter you. While your name may reveal some information about your identity, your resume’s content will not disclose your gender, which may come as a relief to many.
In conclusion, embrace a bold tone in your resume, as it is what resonates in today’s competitive job market. It appears that assertiveness is the new norm, and job seekers should leverage it to their advantage.
Author
Ryan Morris was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog who tried to make the job process a little more entertaining for all those involved. He obtained his BA and Masters from Appalachian State University.
