Ten tips to proofread your resume

You just saw an excellent job opening while browsing the internet! The application deadline is just two hours away, so you start typing out a resume really fast. An hour and a half later, you hit “Send” on that job application and open your resume for a quick look. And then, to your horror, you realize that you’ve misspelled more than a dozen words! This could have been avoided if you took the time to proofread the document. How exactly does one proofread a resume?

1. Take a break

You should not proofread your resume just as soon as you are done writing it. Taking some time before you review the document will allow you to proofread your resume with a fresh eye, making sure that you spot more errors.

2. Read it out loud

Reading a document out loud helps you spot errors and mistakes easily. Reading your resume aloud will enable you to check whether there are grammatical errors in the document. Also, when you read your resume aloud, you can easily know whether there are any missing words, awkward phrasing, or unfortunate spelling mistakes.

3. Check the consistency

Your resume should be consistent throughout. Be sure to keep an eye out for consistency in formatting when you proofread your resume. Ensure that the font styles and sizes are consistent and that you have used the same bullet points. Check for alignments and indentations as well.

4. Pay extra attention to typos

Typos are the most common type of errors on a resume. You can use a spell-checking tool to sniff out the more obvious spelling mistakes. However, you should manually proofread a few times in search of typos. Most spell-checking tools are incapable of finding all the errors in a document.

5. Re-read the contact info

If you have made a mistake when listing contact information on your resume, you may never hear back from the employer. Ensure that you have spelled your name, email, and contact number correctly on your resume.

6. Check the links

If you have added links to your resume, you should verify whether they work before you send them out. Check whether the links you added to your resume lead the reader where they are supposed to lead them. Also, it is better to use links instead of hyperlinks.

7. Review the punctuation

A missing comma can alter the entire meaning of a sentence. Check whether you have accurately used commas, periods, and apostrophes in your resume. Did you know that proper punctuation portrays your professionalism to potential employers?

8. Re-check the numbers

You must have used a lot of numbers, percentages, and metrics to quantify your achievements on your resume. When proofreading the document, reserve some time to go through those numbers. Ensure that all the numbers are accurate before you email the resume.

9. Check the tenses

You are likely to spot any mistakes you have made with the tenses on your resume when you read the document out loud. Check whether you have used the past tense to describe old jobs. Also, your current job must be described in the present tense.

10. Get a second opinion

Do you feel that there could still be mistakes on your resume even after you proofread it? Then, get the help of a professional. Talk to a resume writing expert at Resume Mansion and get your resume reviewed for any mistakes. Our team is always happy to help you with resume-related queries!