Too many people rely on Microsoft Word’s built-in spell check system. Each day, we view CVs with errors which could have been prevented by proofreading. Common errors we see in CVs include:

martial instead of marital

Manger instead of Manager

liased instead of liaised

In addition, we often see CVs where the spell check has been set as US English rather than UK English. This results in words such as:

recognized instead of recognised

color instead of colour

Other areas to watch out for:

Putting the wrong word in the wrong place, such as “their” and “there”

Not using a capital letter for “I”

Putting “i” and “e” the wrong way round, e.g.: “freind”, rather than “friend”

Missing out letters (often in the middle of words)

Many people find it hard to spot mistakes when reading text on a computer screen, so it’s a good idea to proofread your CV after printing it out on paper. Also, consider asking someone else to check over your CV for errors.

Proofreading tips:

Be methodical and check one line at a time

Cultivate a healthy sense of doubt - if you know you make certain mistakes, keep an eye out for them

Don’t start proofreading your CV straight after writing it

Concentrate on one word at a time

Read what is ON the page, not what you THINK is on there (maybe the hardest part of proofreading)

Try reading your CV aloud - this often helps spot errors

Proofread your CV in a quiet environment, away from any distractions

Spend as much time as possible proofreading your CV