-- Put the resume down and come back to it later with your own fresh eyes. Take a break and reread it when you may be less harried.
-- Print a copy. Please don't skip this suggestion. It's so easy to overlook errors after staring at a computer monitor for a long time. My husband often uses a ruler and places it below each line he's reading.
-- Read your resume aloud. I've read my share of resumes, scratching my head wondering what in the world was the candidate trying to say.
-- Review your resume from the bottom up. Starting from the back and moving forward will help avoid skipping over certain sections.
There's a Web site you should visit: www.resumania.com. The term "resumania" was coined by Robert Half, who founded the staffing company. The company has posted resume and cover letter errors its clients have found and solicits authentic examples from Internet visitors. Here are some resume blunders submitted to the site (some of the Web postings are blooper legends):
-- Education: "Studied public rations."
-- Work History: "Faxed documents to attorneys over sees."
-- Objective: "To get an opportunity to proof what I know."
-- Job Duties: "Assist callers and answer heavy phones."
-- Job History: "Grocery store catchier."
-- Additional Skills: "Computers and off ice machines."
-- Experience: "Detailed-oriented saleman."
"If you make errors on your application materials, the assumption is you'll make mistakes on the job," says Max Messmer, chairman and chief executive of Robert Half. Messmer regularly comments on resume and cover letter gaffes in his Resumania column.
Tempted to skip reading your resume aloud? Here's an example from resumania.com of what one candidate wrote under job objective: "To secure challenging opportunities in which I can see a real value in terms of rendering a valuable and valued service to people."
I guess this person really values being valuable.
Join me online at noon EDT on August 27 at www.washingtonpost.com for a discussion on job hunting. Executives from Robert Half will be available to take your questions.
Some hiring managers may see the humor in trivial typos. But they are still making quick judgments based on what you put on your resume. Do what you can to give them as little reason as possible to pass you up.