It’s no secret that the most effective resumes are error-free – free of English grammar errors, free of spelling errors and typos. Even a strong and highly relevant resume can be ‘filed’ in the wastepaper basket if it’s not been thoroughly proofread and suitably revised.

There’s no doubt that a resume with errors gives a first impression that is unfavourable, lazy and untidy. The most effective way to ensure that you don’t have these types of errors on your resume is to proofread it thoroughly. Here’s what we recommend for an error-free resume document without English grammar faults:

Read your resume out loud. You may want to do this behind a closed door!

Read your resume backward with full focus on spellings. One way to approach this is to focus only on the words you are reading by covering the words on both above and below the line you’re on. You will then avoid getting entwined in the context and meaning, and your focus will remain on the spellings only.
Screen your copy with spell check and grammar check.

However good these tools may appear, they are not to be relied on for full dependability. There may still be errors such as confusion between words such as bough and bow, their and there or even too. Words may be correct with regards to spelling but not correct in their use.

Ask somebody else to read it. A sibling, a friend, a cousin or even your mentor should review if for you. You never know what another set of eyes may find.

Print it out. Reading it in another format will provide another viewpoint again. Some editors vehemently recommend to not use the computer for proofreading purposes.

Proofread sections. Read through every section, using a ruler to allow your eye to focus on a line at a time.

Proofread again. Check for spelling on one proof, grammar on another, additional or missing spaces on another, word usage and layout on others.

Take a break in between. A fresh set of eyes can find typos and other errors that an overused pair of eyes cannot. By walking away and returning to it later, you’ll be able to see it from another perspective.

By taking your time to review, revise and ensure that your resume is free of both spelling errors and grammatical errors, you’ll put yourself in the best position to secure the role that you’re seeking.

If you’re looking to improve your spoken (and written) English and get down deeper into proper English grammar, make sure you’re being taught by TEFL qualified teacher.  You’ll want to speak proper.