Can a Resume Mistake Cost You the Job?

By: Rob Hubert

Can a resume mistake cost you the job? Hypothetically speaking, what if you have one mis-spelled word on your resume and the spell checker didn't catch it. Spell checkers are great, but they sometimes change words that you don't intend them to change. Let's take a simple word like "Assess", which is common to see on a resume, especially if you have worked in a role that requires analysis work. While no one would intentionally mis-spell assess, but by some mishap - what if you left off the last "s" and the hiring manager noticed. Assuming you had an excellent interview and you were neck and neck with another candidate. Who do you think would be selected?

Probably not the person with the misspelled word on their resume.

With 2008 coming up quickly, an important reminder for all of us for the new year is to pay close attention to the details. Especially on your resume and any correspondence that you have with potential employers. One way to catch mistyped words is to read the document backwards. This helps you identify words that are spelled correctly, but are unintended. For example, I wrote an email this morning and though I was typing the word "will", but my fingers typed the word "with". I read it backwards and caught it before I sent it. This works, because it removes the context of thinking about what you're reading. Try it on your own resume and let me know if you find any mistakes.

Happy New Year and may 2008 be your best year ever.
Rob