Your Resume's Space Bar Is Sabotaging You: Hyphens vs. En Dashes vs. Em Dashes

You'd think a tiny dash wouldn't matter. But on a resume, every detail counts. And I'm not talking about writing style. I'm talking about the actual characters you type: hyphens vs. en dashes vs. em dashes. Most people don't know the difference, and some ATS systems care. Even if they don't, a recruiter might notice. Here's the thing: consistency looks professional. If you use an en dash for a date range and an em dash elsewhere, it looks sloppy. I see it all the time when people upload resumes to our builder at NoBs Resume. It's a small detail that can undermine your credibility.

So let's break it down, so you can get it right.

The Three Dashes You Meet on a Resume

There are three dashes, and they serve different purposes. You probably know the hyphen; it's the one on your keyboard next to the zero. Hyphens connect words, like "results-driven" or "six-figure." They're short. That's it.

Next, the en dash. It's a bit longer than a hyphen, roughly the width of the letter "n." On a resume, en dashes are for ranges. Think dates: "2020 – 2023" or "May – August." They can also connect compound adjectives where one part is already multiple words, like "post–Cold War." But mostly, dates.

Finally, the em dash. It's the longest, about the width of an "m." Em dashes are for pauses or interruptions in a sentence - like this one. They're more of a stylistic thing in formal writing, but honestly, on resumes, you rarely need them. Resume bullet points should be concise; you don't need dramatic pauses.

Here's the rub: Many people use a hyphen for everything because they don't know how to type the other dashes. Or they copy from somewhere and end up with a mix. That's where problems start.

Why Bother? It's Just a Dash

Because recruiters are detail-oriented. They're hiring someone who will represent the company, and if you can't consistently use a dash, will you consistently write clear emails? Maybe that's unfair, but hiring is about minimizing risk. A resume with inconsistent dashes sends a subtle signal that you don't care about details.

Also, some Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) might parse en dashes differently. For example, if you write "2020-2023" with a hyphen, the system might read it as a minus sign or not recognize the date range correctly. Using an en dash helps the ATS understand it's a range. That's why we recommend using en dashes for dates in our resume builder. It's a small thing that can help you get past the robots.

One pattern I notice from our users is that they often don't think about this until they see a preview with a mix of dashes. Then they ask, "Why does that look weird?" It's the inconsistency. Your eye catches it even if you can't name it.

How to Fix Your Dashes Right Now

First, decide on a standard. I recommend:

• Use hyphens for compound words and prefixes: "results-oriented," "pre-launch."
• Use en dashes for date ranges: "Jan 2020 – Dec 2022."
• Avoid em dashes on resumes. If you want to create emphasis, use a colon or a comma. Or just start a new sentence.

Here's how to type an en dash on Windows: hold Alt and type 0150 on the numeric keypad. On Mac: Option + Minus. On most resume builders including ours, you can just type two hyphens and we'll convert it for you. But if you're in Word, be careful; Word's autocorrect might turn two hyphens into an em dash, which you don't want. Check your settings.

And here's a real-world example of a resume bullet done right:

Managed a portfolio of 25+ client accounts, generating $2M in annual revenue during FY2019 – FY2022.

Notice the en dash in the fiscal year range. It's subtle, but it's clear and professional.

Consistency Trumps Everything

Even if you use a hyphen for a range, be consistent. Pick one style and stick with it throughout your resume. But I'd argue for using the en dash because it's more precise and looks better to a trained eye. It's not about being fancy; it's about being correct.

So before you hit "Apply," do a quick scan of your dashes. It'll take two minutes. And if you're using our builder, we'll help with that. We see hundreds of resumes come through, and the ones with consistent punctuation always look more polished. That might sound trivial, but in a competitive job market, every little edge counts.