Resume Proofreading Checklist

Print a copy and mark it up to help you gauge your progress.

Spelling Mistakes

To avoid spelling mistakes:

__  Don't use words with which you aren't familiar.

__  Use a dictionary as you write.

__  Perform a spell check on your finished resume.

__ Carefully read every word in your resume. If you write "from" instead of "form," your spell check will be unable  to detect your mistake.

__  Have a friend or two proofread your resume for you.

Punctuation Mistakes

Things to look for:

__ Periods at the end of all full sentences.

__ Be consistent in your use of punctuation.

__  Always put periods and commas within quotation marks. (i.e., Won awards including the "John H. Malcom Memorial Service Award.")

__ Avoid using exclamation points.

Grammatical Mistakes

Grammar hang-ups to watch for:

__ Do not switch tenses within your resume. The duties you currently perform should be in present tense (i.e., write reports), but ones you may have performed at past jobs should be in past tense (i.e., wrote reports).

__ Capitalize all proper nouns.

__ When expressing numbers, write out all numbers between one and nine (i.e., one, five, seven), but use numerals for all numbers above 10 (i.e., 11, 25, 108).

__ If you begin a sentence with a numeral, spell out that numeral (i.e., Eleven service awards won while employed.).

__ Make sure your date formats are consistent (i.e., 11/22/96 or November 22, 1996, or 11.22.96. Choose one and stick with it.).

Choose Your Words Carefully

Phrase yourself well:

__ Be on the lookout for the following easily confused words: accept (to receive), except (to exclude) all right (correct), alright (this is not a word) affect (to bring about change), effect (result) personal (private), personnel (staff members) role (a character assigned or a function), roll (to revolve)

__ Use action words (i.e., wrote reports, increased revenues, directed staff).

Other Potential Mistakes

Don't forget to check:

__ Dates of all prior employment.

__ Your address and phone number -- are they still current and correct?

__ The number of returns separating your categories: are they consistent?

__ Abbreviation of state names. All state abbreviations are two letters -- no periods. For example, New York is abbreviated NY, California is CA, and Florida is FL. Look up other state abbreviations.

Design Is Important

Keep the following tips in mind:

__ Don't overcrowd your resume; Allow for plenty of white space.

__ Keep your resume to one page whenever possible.

__ Keep the number of fonts you use to a minimum -- two at the most.

__ Use a font that is easy to read. Times Roman works well.

__ Do not justify the lines of type on your resume. Allow the right side of the page to "rag."

__ Do not over use capitalization, italics, underlines, or other emphasizing features.

__ Make sure your name, address, and a phone number appear on your resume and all correspondence, preferably at the top of the page.

__ Print your resume on white or cream paper using a good-quality printer. Second and third-generation photocopies are a no-no.

__ Print on one side of the paper only.

What To Omit

Do not put any of the following on your resume:

__ Salary history.

__ Sex, age, race, marital status, or other similar personal information.