If the idea of resume writing and resume editing strikes a bit of fear in your heart, we understand. Not only does your resume need to be well-written, but it must also be error-free. In many polls, hiring managers state that if they find one or more careless errors on a resume, they are likely to simply toss it in the trash. Hopefully, the following list of editing tips will help you create the perfect resume.

 

1. Read Your Resume Three Times

It’s important that you read over the resume three times, and read it over slowly. Don’t let yourself get distracted. Focus on each line of type and be sure to check that the contact information is correct.

 

We also recommend that you don’t necessarily complete all three editing sessions at the same time. Read it once and then walk away for 10 minutes and go back and read the resume again. Then save your third read for several hours later or perhaps the next day.

 

2. Read The Resume Out Loud

This might sound silly, but it really can help you find errors more easily. Not only will you be able to find spelling and grammar errors, but you also might realize that some lines of type don’t read very smoothly and need some revision. Anytime you have an important document to send out, reading the document out loud can be a great way to gauge the overall quality of the content.

 

3. Don’t Just Rely On Your Eyes

When it comes to resume editing, it’s a mistake to rely on your own editing skills. Even a seasoned pro can make an error from time to time, so get a second set of eyes on that resume before you send it out. Ideally, you’d just ask a friend or family member with strong writing skills. If you don’t know anyone with writing or editing skills, pick someone who is an avid reader. They are sifting through language all the time and are likely to find an issue or two within your resume.

 

4. Yes, Use The Spellcheck Program

The basic spellcheck programs provided by Microsoft Word and Google Docs can catch a few errors. While it would be a huge mistake to simply depend on these spellcheck programs, you could start the editing process with a quick spellcheck followed by a more thorough check using a program such as Grammarly.

 

While Grammarly and other similar programs are better at finding grammar, spelling and syntax errors, they are not foolproof. In fact, just this morning, whilst we edited another blog article, one of these add-on grammar checkers missed a big error, not catching that we typed “there,” when we should have typed “their.” This is why it’s crucial that you don’t depend on software for all of your editing needs.

 

5. Pay Attention To The Style

While spelling and grammar errors are resume killers, the general style and design of your resume can create problems, as well. For instance, if you create a list of work tasks using dashes in one section and then use bullets in the next, this looks sloppy. If you indent tasks in one section but don’t in another, this also looks awkward and might send the message that you lack attention to detail.

 

While a clean, easy-to-read design is important, don’t get carried away with clever designs. Sometimes these designs make it harder to read and confusing for a hiring manager, who generally has about one minute to spare per resume. While you do need to be consistent with the design, the content is always the most important factor.

 

6. Edit Out The Non-Essentials

Resumes must be error-free. Resumes must be well-written using proper grammar. Resume writers must strategize and quantify their work with clear examples of what they have accomplished. Resumes also need to be as short as possible.

 

In most cases, your resume should not extend beyond one page, and definitely not beyond two pages. High-level executives might be fine with a two-page resume, but most professionals are better off handing in a one-page resume. Again, hiring managers are pressed for time, if they only have a minute or so to read each resume, it’s not likely that they will peruse your second page.

 

If you find yourself going over a single page, look for items to cut. The items you cut should be the least relevant to the hiring manager. This person wants to hear about your education, your work experience and your skills or certifications. This means you can cut out items such as the objective (you can discuss your objectives in a cover letter) and items such as the tired line, “References Available Upon Request.”

 

Additionally, you can omit work experiences that you held in college or high school. These work experiences are only relevant if you are an entry-level employee without any professional experience. You also can omit high school from your resume just as soon as you graduate from college or trade school.

 

7. Hire A Professional Resume Writer

Let’s be honest, resume writing isn’t easy, and trying to create a dynamic, strategic resume that’s error-free, appeals to hiring managers and ticks all the boxes set by applicant-tracking software can be overwhelming. It often just makes sense to hire an expert resume writer to create this all-important document.

 

At Top 5 Resume Writers, we’ve reviewed the results from many resume companies, and selected Resume Writing Group as our favorite option. Their resume contained no careless errors, and each resume they create is not only edited by the writer, but they also hand it off to a second editor to ensure that it is reviewed by a second set of eyes, and in this case, the eyes belong to a resume specialist, which is exactly what you want.

 

While you might be tempted to save a bit of money and write your own resume, think for just a minute about what your career is worth. Resume Writing Group guarantees that you use their resume, but aren’t employed in 45 days or less, they will refund the price of your resume. Getting a great job is your goal, and this is one of the best resume guarantees we’ve seen.

 

Using a professional resume writing company is a smart investment, and it saves you the trouble of worry about your own resume writing and resume editing skills. One final note, though, while the pros at Resume Writing Group will provide you with a great resume, it’s crucial that you doublecheck your contact information. After all, the writer won’t know if your email or phone number is correct, so be sure to give that information a second look.