Make the Effort to Avoid Mistakes and Misspellings on your Resume

From the Lansing State Journal, April 3, 2005 Edition

Perhaps its the rush to submit your resume before other job candidates, or too much focus on creating a visually appealing document.  Whatever the reason, many job seekers are overlooking a critical step in the employment process - ensuring their application materials are clean and blunder-free.  Thirty-four percent of executives surveyed recently by Accountemps cited typos or grammatical errors as the most common resume mistake.

"Even the most qualified applicant can undermine his or her chances of being invited to an interview by submitting a resume containing typos, misspellings, or poor grammar," said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps.  "Application materials should be polished and uncluttered.  The objective is to create an accurate and succinct account of your qualifications, work experience, career accomplishments, and education."

Messmer offers the following suggestions for creating a winning resume:

• Tailor your resume to each opportunity.  A one-size-fits all approach tells employers you have not taken the time to research their company.

• Move from general to specific.  Organize information in each section by beginning with a broader statement and following it with more detailed ones.

• Keep it short.  Resumes require brief statements that do not have to be complete sentences.  Use bullet points to emphasize important details.

• Avoid including personal information.  What you cite should directly pertain to the opportunity and your career.

• Proofread your resume several times.  Ask others to do so as well.

• Leave off references.  Today's hiring managers assume you will provide these contacts.  Remember to give your references a copy of your resume and advance notice that they may be called.