Does this sound like you? You’re applying for a new job and as much as you want to be lazy and submit the same resume you’ve had for years, it’s not going to get you hired.

In fact, you should be spending a good amount of time updating your resume before applying to a new place. This involves updating your work experience, but, more importantly, proofreading.

Keep reading to learn more about proofreading a resume and how to do it.

Refresh Your Mind

Before proofreading a resume, it’s best to refresh your mind. Proofreading requires concentration and time that you might have to schedule out.

Edit after a good night’s sleep or after you’ve stepped away from writing your resume for a while. If you write your resume and instantly start editing it, you likely won’t catch spelling and grammar errors.

Use a Spell Check Feature

To fix resume spelling errors, use tools like a spell check feature. This can easily catch things you may have missed, but it won’t always pick up on everything.

Be meticulous about going over the spelling and grammar of your resume. Software won’t always realize if you use the wrong word.

Print It Out

It’s best to print out your resume for better proofreading. This is especially true if you spend a lot of time looking at a screen. It’s harder for the eyes to maintain focus on a computer screen compared to paper.

You can even print out a resume proofreading checklist to have side by side with your printed-out version. Use a colored pen to mark changes and note mistakes.

Read It to Yourself and Aloud

Fixing resume grammar is easier to do when you read your words out loud. You’ll notice something doesn’t sound right when you hear yourself saying it.

Don’t only read your resume out loud. Proofreading works best when you read it to yourself slowly and silently. After that, you can read it out loud as an additional technique for catching mistakes.

List Your Mistakes

You might notice that the resume proofreading tools you used worked to correct your spelling and grammar, but didn’t catch when you reused words or terms.

Make a list of these recurring mistakes as you proofread to ensure you fix them all when you return to your document.

Review Your Verb Tense

An online resume builder will allow you to put in all of your information including past and current work experience. During your proofreading, refer back to your relevant experience section to check your verb tense.

For past jobs, use the past tense. For a job you currently have, use the present tense.

Focus on the Little Things

For something as important as proofreading a resume, it’s important to focus on the little things. Be nit-picky about spacing, bullets, and if you ended lines with a period or not.

Pick a way of doing things and be consistent with it.

Proofreading a Resume for Success

If you want to find success in your job search, it begins with submitting a resume. Employers give little time to resumes so you have to be perfect to get noticed.

A simple mistake could lead an employer to choose someone else over you. With this guide, you can start proofreading a resume that helps you get hired.

Keep coming back for more tips like this!