5 Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid (and How to Fix Them)

We’ve all been there. You’ve sent your resume out to ten different job ads in the span of a few hours, desperately hoping someone will call back and offer an interview. It’s a tough slog out there for people looking for jobs. But fear not! Whoops Word has you covered with a few simple checks to ensure your CV looks polished and professional.

1. Size matters

You don’t have time for this, so you can be sure nobody has time for your five-page resume. If you can’t fit all the relevant information on two pages, something is amiss with your resume.

If you are over a decade out of high school, it no longer belongs on your CV. Let it go, Elsa!

If a past job doesn’t have transferable skills that you can take to the job you're applying for now, bin it.

And if you're decades into your career and have multiple positions to list, keep it concise, listing only your most recent decade of experience or that which is most relevant to the job you’re applying for.

2. Contact information

If you have any typographical errors in your phone number or email, you’ve just shown your prospective employer that you don’t care about attention to detail. Plus, how are they supposed to get in touch and offer you an interview?

For the love of all that’s good and green, check your contact details!

3. Spelling mistakes

Reading a resume with a glaringly obvious spelling mistake is like talking to someone with a massive white-headed pimple on their nose. You can’t not be distracted by it, and in the worst way possible.

Check the spelling of every word, paying special attention to company names and longer words such as “accommodate” or “necessary.”

Get a loved one to read through it for you or read it aloud to yourself.

4. Apostrophe catastrophes

The power of the apostrophe should never be underestimated. A missing apostrophe can change the entire meaning of a word after all.

Watch for confusion between possessive forms and contractions, such as “its” (possessive) and “it’s” (it is).

Paying attention to these little details is essential for making you look polished and intelligent in your applications.

5. Mismatched verb tense

Consistency is key to looking polished and professional. Use the past tense for previous roles (“managed,” “created”) and present tense for your current job (“manage,” “create”).

Mixing tenses within the same section is jarring and confusing for your prospective employer to read.

Remember: your resume is your ultimate marketing tool! It’s your first impression on a prospective employer, which means you need to look professional. By showing that you pay attention to detail and ensure important documents are well-edited before sending them out, you are showing people that you’re a great investment.