Resume Proofreading: Elevate Your Application

Well done for writing a resume that not only looks great, but is packed with impressive content! Now comes the next stage – polishing it so that you're presenting the very best version of yourself. As you're so close to it, it's natural that the odd mistake will creep in. Don't let a silly typo or misplaced apostrophe create a poor first impression and prevent you from progressing further in the hiring process. 

Why is it important to proofread and edit your resume?

No matter what role you're applying for, you only get one chance to make a great first impression. Don't let that impression be one of sloppy work and carelessness! When they evaluate your resume and cover letter, employers aren't only looking at your skills, experience, and qualifications. They're also looking at how you present yourself. 

How well you format the resume and, yes, how good your spelling, grammar, and punctuation is, all form part of that first impression. Throughout the hiring process, multiple people will review your resume – and every single one of them will be left with their own impression of you. Don’t expect them all to overlook a careless typo or poor phrasing. 

How do you proofread a resume?

There are many different ways to eliminate errors and polish punctuation. While you won't want to use every method suggested here, it's recommended that you use a variety of techniques to ensure you capture every little mistake that's crept in. 

1. Use spell check

Your first option for resume proofreading is the built-in spell-checker on Word. Working with spell check turned on means that you can make changes while you type, so your first draft should already be pretty accurate. Beware of relying solely on spell check though – there are several common errors it won't pick up and it also won't check for sense or accuracy. 

1. Read the document very slowly

Next up, go through the document again yourself, word by word and line by line. Try not to read what you think it says, but what it actually says. Take as long as you can to read it – don't rush. You're more likely to catch errors and typos if you take your time. Proofreading your resume like this will help you to catch the most glaring errors.

2. Read aloud

Next up, you might like to find a quiet place to work, because you'll be listening to your resume. The best way to do this is to use the Read Aloud function on Word, which will read the entire document to you. 

This is a great resume proofreading technique, as you'll be able to hear errors you may not pick up visually. An added bonus is that it forces you to slow down your reading, so as each word is highlighted you'll automatically pick up additional errors, such as missing commas or jarring phrases. 

3. Leverage technology 

While we'd never advocate using AI to write your resume, technology is your friend and can be leveraged to improve your application. While no specific resume proofreading software exists, common tools such as Grammarly and Hemmingway will flag potential issues. You could also prompt ChatGPT to spot typos or other mistakes. 

4. Change the font

Why not try switching your standard font for one you don't normally use? Pick a serif font, rather than sans serif, for example. Seeing the words look different, with different spacing, might just make that misplaced letter jump out. Don't forget to change it back to your preferred font afterwards though!

5. Take a break

Writing a resume can be draining! You don't just need to trawl back through a lifetime of information to identify your skills, experience, and qualifications; you also need to summarize them into a compelling and persuasive document that looks good, sells you, and meets the requirements of the role. 

Treat yourself to a break – you deserve it! Come back to the resume after a good night's sleep, or a day out. Reading it with fresh eyes and a clear mind will help you to spot mistakes that would otherwise have gone unnoticed. 

6. Read it backwards

This tip won't help you to ensure that the document makes sense, but it could help you to pick up little typos and spelling errors that have crept in. Start at the end of the document and read one word at a time until you get to the top. Removing the context will prevent you from predicting the next word rather than checking it properly.

7. Print it out or use a different device 

You've seen the resume on the screen you created it on – it's time to switch it up. Try printing the document on paper or viewing it on a phone or tablet. You could even do your resume proofreading in a different room. Changing the medium and the location will help you to see the document in a different light and maybe catch the last remaining errors. 

8. Call in your wingman

Who is your wingman? Whether you have a colleague who's a whizz with words, an auntie who can spot an aberrant apostrophe at 50 yards, or a friend who'd happily take a machete to your work, don't be afraid to ask for help to proofread your resume. 

9. Rely on the experts

If you don't want to impose on friends and family, you can still get help with your resume. Services such as TopResume have writers with excellent English skills and – as a bonus – they've seen all the most common resume errors a hundred times, so they know what to look out for. Why not ask them to give your resume the once-over, for real peace of mind? 

Proofreading a resume – common errors

We've covered some general resume proofreading tips, but we still have more help for you! There are some types of mistakes that our resume writers see so often that they're almost predictable. Avoid these common resume mistakes:

False friends

These are words that have more than one spelling, sound similar, or are regular victims of typos. Check that none of these have slid in when you settle down to your resume proofreading:

• Role / roll: You almost certainly want to use “role” – this is the job you do, as opposed to roll – a bread product or the action of turning over. 

• Manager / manger: Your manager is your boss, a manger is where the baby Jesus was born. It's a dead certainty that the first version is what you should be using on your resume, but unfortunately in March 2025 there were around 18 million people on LinkedIn describing themselves as mangers. Don't be one of them!

• Customer / costumer: A customer is the person you serve, a costumer is someone dealing in snazzy outfits. Again, you probably need the first option. 

• Diary / dairy: Executive Assistants and Administrators who say they're involved in dairy management can expect to see more cows than anticipated in their next role. Use a diary for recording your appointments and a dairy for milking your herd of cattle. 

• Compliment / complement: Hopefully you get a lot of compliments at work – that's when someone says something nice about your work (or your new hairdo). Complement means that things fit well together – like apple pie and custard. 

• Lead / led: While both words have a place on many resumes, led is the past tense (e.g. I led a team in my previous job) and lead is the present tense (e.g. I lead a team at the moment).

Other common resume errors

Of course, not all mistakes are caused by false friends like those above. Some are introduced as deliberate choices due to a misunderstanding on the part of the writer. That's why having someone else review your resume can be vital in picking up errors that would otherwise be missed. Common examples are: 

Spelling of proper nouns: Proper nouns are names and therefore are often not in a spellcheck dictionary. You can expect to see spell check highlighting some proper nouns, but that doesn't mean they're wrong. Don't automatically ignore the spell check in these instances though – it's important to double-check the spelling of company names in particular. 

Check not just the spelling, but also capitalization and spacing as well. Brands are often keen to stand out by taking a quirky, unconventional approach to spelling and punctuation. Make sure you use the brand name exactly as it's designed. 

Capitalization: When you're proofreading your resume, watch out for capital letters. They often sneak in when they shouldn't. Capitals are most commonly used correctly to start sentences, or for names and titles. Don't use them to add emphasis or just because something seems important.

Apostrophes: The controversial topic of apostrophes is very relevant to resumes, as they are so frequently misplaced. Acronyms don't need them and neither do plurals – it's KPIs not KPI's, and targets not target's, for example. Apostrophes are only ever used for omission and possession but, if in doubt, call in help. Just don't throw them around like confetti!

Spacing: Resume proofreading isn't just about the words, it's also about what's between them. Ensure there's plenty of white space between sections and that the spacing is consistent throughout the document. Also, remember that the standard these days is one space after a period, not two.

Consistency: A resume that is consistent is one that shines with attention to detail and accuracy. Choose your format and stick to it. For example, don't write “$10million” in one place, “$10M” in another, and “$10m” in yet another. 

Repetition: Is your resume an engaging and interesting read? Or is it dull as ditchwater? If you've started every other bullet point with “managed” or “responsible for,” I'm afraid you fall into the latter category. Shake up your vocabulary and use a variety of words to stop your reader falling asleep halfway through. 

Accessibility: Does your wingman understand the entire resume? Remember that, initially at least, the resume may not be read by someone with an in-depth understanding of your role. Maybe a recruiter or HR Manager has got their hands on it. If it's filled with acronyms, abbreviations, and industry jargon, their eyes will glaze over and their brain will switch off. 

Finally: Don't forget to proofread your resume again any time you make changes to it. If you're doing a major update, such as adding your latest role, you'll definitely want to check through the entire document at least once more to catch mistakes and ensure it aligns with your current career aspirations. 

It's all about how you're presenting yourself

Of course, everyone wants an error-free resume when they're applying for a new job. With these hints, tips, and hacks, and a commitment to resume proofreading, your job search documents should be ready to wow hiring managers and land you that interview.

If you'd like a fresh pair of eyes on your resume, why not submit it for a free resume review by our experts? Take the guesswork out and increase your confidence with the knowledge that you've done all you can to make the recruiter's jaw drop.

Recommended reading: 

• 17 Resume Tips to Get Seen and Hired Faster

• 5 Signs You Need a Professional Resume Review

• Resume Spelling and Accent Explained