CV proofreading tips: review & edit yours like a pro

Avoid making these common spelling and grammar mistakes on your CV

Think your CV is perfect? Adzuna reviewed 267,140 CVs, and only 13% of them were flawless. In fact, 37% carried five or more errors – yikes! CV proofreading might seem tedious, but a polished CV shows recruiters that you're detail-oriented and thorough, which could be indicative of your future job performance. Read on to learn how to proofread your CV like a pro and avoid common spelling mistakes.

CV proofreading best practices

Proofreading your CV is personal, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach. However, adopting some key best practices can significantly enhance your review process. Here are essential tips to consider for your next CV review:

1. Take a break before reviewing

If you've been staring at your CV for a lengthy period of time, the best thing you can do is take a break before proofreading it. Otherwise, you may overlook some errors.

If time allows, take the day and sleep on it before you review your CV with a fine-tooth comb. But if you're on a deadline, take a 10-minute screen break and do something entirely different to reset your mind before diving back in. 

2. Ensure it matches the job requirements

Hopefully, you've written your CV with the job description in mind. Tailoring your CV in this way is a surefire way to show the prospective employer you're the candidate who will meet their requirements.

Read through your CV with the job requirements in mind, and make sure you've included the skills and competencies the hiring manager is looking for, mirroring the keywords and phrases where possible. This CV proofreading practice will also help you surpass applicant tracking systems. 

3. Verify dates and facts

Next, carefully review your CV to ensure all information is factually accurate. Verify dates, employers' names, educational institutions, and qualification titles. 

Don't forget to double-check your name and contact details. Imagine the disappointment of missing an interview opportunity because it went to someone else's inbox.

4. Leverage spelling and grammar tools

Now, it's time to catch those pesky typos. Start with your Word processor's built-in spelling and grammar checker to correct basic errors. However, don't stop there – these tools often miss contextual mistakes, like typing “possession” instead of “position.”

For a more thorough review, use advanced tools like Grammarly or other AI-powered checkers. While these tools are powerful, they aren't foolproof, so always give your CV a final, manual review.

5. Read your CV aloud

Reading your CV aloud, rather than silently in your head, is an excellent way to catch awkward phrasing, clunky sentences, or subtle errors. When you read aloud, you're more likely to stumble over sentences that don't flow smoothly or contain mistakes. 

This method also helps you identify any inconsistencies in tone or style, ensuring your CV reads clearly and professionally. It's a simple yet powerful step to polish your document before sending it out.

6. Read your CV backwards

Once you've read your CV aloud, read it backwards, starting from the last word and moving to the first. This technique forces you to focus on each word individually, helping you catch spelling mistakes and typos that might have been overlooked in previous reviews. By isolating each word, you're more likely to spot errors that slipped through earlier.

7. Check for consistency

Consistency is key to a polished CV. When proofing your CV, check that the spelling, tone of voice, tense, style, size, and spacing are consistent throughout. Here are common consistency errors to look out for when CV proofreading:

• Spelling: Ensure correct and consistent capitalisation of job titles

• Bullet points: Decide whether to end bullet points with a full stop or not

• Headings: Make sure all headings and subheadings follow the same format

• Font: Keep the font size and style consistent throughout the document

• Spacing: Check that spacing between sections, headings, and bullet points is uniform

• Tense: Use past tense for previous roles and present tense for current positions

• Point of view: Choose a point of view and stick with it, e.g. “I led” vs “led the team”

8. Give it to a friend

When you spend too much time looking at a document, you can become blind to it. Handing your CV to a friend can be incredibly helpful – fresh eyes often catch mistakes you might overlook.

A friend's perspective can reveal areas for improvement you might not have noticed. They offer an unbiased view, which can help refine your CV and make your application more robust and polished.

The most common CV spelling mistakes

Adzunda's research also revealed which words are commonly misspelt in CVs. Keep the following in mind in your next CV proofreading session:

The most misspelt words in CVs

Perhaps Brits are influenced by American sitcoms or Hollywood movies. The most common spelling mistake was using American spellings instead of British ones:

Top words with erroneous spaces in CVs

Another common grammar mistake that's helpful to keep in mind when CV proofreading is incorrect spacing. Many job seekers confuse the spacing between words:

Top words with missing and extra letter(s) in CVs

Whether due to clumsy typing or the inherent difficulty of certain words, missing and extra letters are a common issue in CVs:

Time to polish your CV!

CV proofreading might seem daunting, but breaking it down into manageable steps makes it more approachable. Paying attention to these details can significantly impact your job search, so don't skip this crucial step! An error-free CV increases your chances of staying out of the “rejected” pile.

We'll catch any grammar mistakes you may have made on your CV. Submit yours for a free CV review, and we'll tell you where you stand.

This article was originally written by Rikki Wimmer and has been updated by Laura Slingo.

Recommended reading:

• Common bad CV giveaways: mistakes to avoid for success

• Action verbs to use on your CV

• Why you shouldn't let AI write your CV

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