Tiny Typos Can Add Up To a Big X On Your Résumé

Discussion Policy

Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.

-- Find another pair of eyes. Get someone to proofread your résumé. Seriously, don't dismiss this simple tip that you probably know already. Do I have to repeat again how tough this job market is? Don't send out a single résumé or cover letter without having someone read it over for you.

-- Put the résumé down and come back to it later with your own fresh eyes. Take a break and review it when you're less harried.

-- Print a copy. Please don't skip this suggestion. It's so easy to overlook errors after staring at a computer monitor for a long time. My husband often uses a ruler and places it below each line he's reading.

-- Read your résumé aloud. I've read my share of these things, and sometimes I scratch my head wondering what in the world the candidate was trying to say.

-- Review your résumé from the bottom up. Starting from the back and moving forward will help avoid skipping over certain sections.

There's a Web site you should visit: http://www.resumania.com. The term "resumania" was coined by Robert Half, who founded the staffing company. The company has posted résumé and cover-letter errors its clients have found and solicits authentic examples from online visitors. Here are some blunders submitted to the site (some of the Web postings are blooper legends):

Education: "Studied public rations."

< 2 >