Don't blow your chances of getting a job by having a sloppy resume!

Focus on proofreading your resume thoroughly to avoid missing the cut because of a misspelled word or typo.

Proofread your resume backwards? Print out your resume? Give it to a friend to review? All of the above and more. If you're like me, you proofread too quickly and easily miss simple format errors.

Try these handy tips ...

Read backwards

Reading backwards, as weird as it sounds, accomplishes a few things: It breaks the logical flow of language, removing the distinct words from their context and making it hard for our brains automatically to correct spelling or capitalization errors. Reading backwards slows reading - an effective technique for those who read too quickly for effective proofreading.

Place a finger beneath each word as you proofread, forcing the eyes to proceed at the same, generally slower, speed as the brain as it analyzes each word for correct spelling and capitalization.

Print it out and Read Aloud

Print out your resume and supporting documents to proofread it on the page. It's particularly helpful to print in very large type size, such as 18 points. We read differently on screen and on paper. Read aloud since the ear often catches mistakes that the eyes miss.

Proofreading bulleted lists: Punctuation

The most common punctuation error is inconsistent use of periods. When it comes to bulleted lists, job applicants render some items with a period, some without.  Be consistent throughout the document; otherwise, it looks sloppy. The proper way to punctuate is to use periods when each item is one or more complete sentences. When a bulleted list contains single words or simple phrases, however, leave periods off of each item.

Leave room for editing on your printed proofed copy

Leave multiple spaces between each bulleted item in a list so that when proofing, you focus on one item at a time as a distinct, small section. This practice encourages you to "proofread in small bites" and concentrate on only one or two sentences at a time.

Once the entire document is proofread and finalized, make sure to remove the extra spaces and make sure the formatting is clean and consistent throughout the entire document.

Have a friend look it over

You'll be surprised what mistakes we all miss that a friend or colleague will spot. Beyond typos, friends can also reveal the impact, sense and flow of your resume and/or cover letter.  One method of proofreading is to do it in tandem with another person. Print out the documents and read them aloud while your companion reads along, seeking errors and listening for awkward phrasing. Read through once, then switch off; in this second pass, read along while your companion reads aloud.

Pay attention to graphical elements, including headings and fonts

Proofreaders often focus on the body of the text and miss errors in headings. After proofreading the body, focus on the headings. Check for spelling errors as well as graphical errors. Are the headings consistently capitalized? Is each word in initial caps, or are they supposed to be in full capitals? Either way, they should be consistent.

Also, remember to check fonts.  Mid-document font changes such as this are common when an author copies and pastes into a document, and they betray the fact that he or she didn't bother to proofread the document. Remember to "paste matching style."

Remember attention to detail in your resume and cover letter sends a message to your future employer that you will carry that attention to detail into your job.

Good Luck!

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