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

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

Thembani C is a Recruitment Consultant with CVPeople Africa. They specialise in recruitment and related consultancy in Africa. Visit their website www.cvpeopleafrica.com