How many typos before you trash a resume?
July 30, 2009 by Sam NarisiPosted in: Assessing the right candidate, In This Week's E-Newsletter, Latest News & Views
A recent poll asked hiring managers how many spelling errors they could tolerate on a resume or cover letter. The answer:
One or none, according to most managers. One-fifth said they throw resumes away after spotting a single mistake, according to a survey by temp agency Accountempts. Another 28% said two typos would cost applicants an interview.
So there are plenty of sticklers out there, but surprisingly, 19% of supervisors said they’d still consider a resume with four or more errors.
The survey also revealed some of the most common mistakes employers see, such as:
- “Dear sir or madman”
- “I’m attacking my resume for you to review,” and
- “Following is a grief overview of my skills.”
Where do you stand on spelling and grammar mistakes? How many do you have to see before dropping a resume in the trash can?
Let us know in the comments section below.
Tags: Accountemps, mistakes, resumes, typos
July 30th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Depends on the position. I’m a little more lenient regarding a typo for a warehouse position than a Pharmacist.
Somedays I alternate between a “sir” and a “madman”, so that’s not really that offensive to me.
July 31st, 2009 at 10:20 am
Brian I agree with the alternating btw madam and madman … In our environment it depends on the what the spelling error is…a hte here or there is not going to get it thrown out but a misspelling in the essential job functions that relate to our job well that’s a deal breaker if I catch it. But a lot of times we go through so many resumes that I’m sure we miss them all the time.
July 31st, 2009 at 10:37 am
It all depends on the position and the type of error. I don’t have a set number of errors that I’m looking for. I usually look at skills first and then if the errors are making it difficult to read the resume then it might end up in the “no” pile. I’m usually not trying to be a grammar police because there are too many resumes and too little time.
July 31st, 2009 at 10:44 am
I also agree that alternating between Madam and Madman, and I agree about the spelling based on the position. I actually focus more on the lay out than the spelling. I review so may resumes that I want a short intro and then I want the dates and experience laid out for quick review. I personally do not want an extensive amount of ellaboration or as I call it “Fluff” just give me the details.
July 31st, 2009 at 11:07 am
I’m just always amazed at the number of resumes I get with typos when getting applications for clerical or managerial positions. I’m not very lenient when it comes to those jobs. I figure if they don’t know how to use spell check, I’m not going to send them to our client.
July 31st, 2009 at 12:18 pm
It depends on the position. For an administrative assistant, one would be too many. If I see a mistake on a resume, I contact the person so he/she can change it.
July 31st, 2009 at 12:18 pm
I agree that it depends on the position. I am normally more concerned when they can’t spell correctly the name of the position to which they are applying for (especially if they brought a copy of the ad that was run and it is RIGHT THERE).
I actually find the job title most misspelled is “warehouse”: I’ve seen Wearhouse, Wherehouse and my favorite Whorehouse (which makes me wonder what kind of company they think they are applying at).
But if someone is applying for an Administrative Assistant position and they can’t spell it: Admanastratave Asstinant, then I would be the most concerned. If they are typing documents that are circulated through the company or outside of the company, we could potentially lose customers or have a lawsuit on our hands if an inappropriate thing is sent to the wrong person (simply by a misspelling).
July 31st, 2009 at 12:36 pm
I work for a business newspaper and completely amazed at the the number of typos I see on resumes from reporters and copy editors! Needless to say for these positions, one typo is one too many.
July 31st, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Again, depending on the position…I normally will allow one or two errors. I have returned a couple of resumes to individuals with a note, “If you are wondering why you have not been contacted by employers, you may want to review your contact information.” These resumes were returned because I called the telphone number listed on the resume and reached a party that did not know the owner of the resume.
I have thrown away a number of resumes indicating an objective to work in the manufacturing field, off-shore drilling or some other field and we are a utility. I guess they forgot to change their resume.
July 31st, 2009 at 1:49 pm
I’m more lenient with hourly workers than professionals. One typo on a professional resume and it’s history. I’ve seen resumes in all lower case – made me nuts!! It also was riddled with typos and grammatical problems. Wrong phone numbers are a nuisance.
July 31st, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Sorry, I just found it funny that Sam was writing about spelling errors, and had “Accountempts” rather than “Accountemps”. Was that a Freudian slip, or what? But, yes, I am one of those who firmly believe that there should be NO spelling errors or typos on a resume. I didn’t realize how limiting that would be, though, and have had to adjust my thinking somewhat. Most of the positions I recruit for are PhD’s and/or have Masters’ degrees, but some of them still send in resumes and cover letters with misspellings and typos. As has been mentioned on other similar posts, people have plenty of time and resources for correcting any errors before sending, and this is still the first impression they will be making on a prospective employer, so it needs to be a good one.
July 31st, 2009 at 4:47 pm
I agree with most comments – it does depend on the job – but I hate to see spelling errors or typos, especially when a person is claiming he/she is detail-oriented and has excellent written and oral communication skills. If they can’t see the difference in singular or plural, or proper tense, or they say “detailed-orientated” I think they need to put more attention to the task.
July 31st, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Because I work with an institution of higher learning and the “teacher” is our primary resource, one mistake on a cover letter is “one too many” when I’m reviewing a resume. If I accept mediocrity in assessing individuals who will be in a classroom in front of impressionable children, I am doing the children a disservice. I feel the same way about administrative personnel who are charged with dealing with people in our school community — whether it is over the phone, in person, or on paper, sending correspondence to parents, staff, and/or vendors. Any one representing any component of education will be held to that standard if the resume comes across my desk.
August 3rd, 2009 at 7:12 am
Yeah…like that accidental typo I put in my comment!!!
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Angela, I agree about teachers. My stepdaughter majored in Elementary Education and is a horrible speller. She can’t seem to find a teaching job. I wonder why.
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:13 pm
I guess my question is…do you read every single word in every single resume to find errors? Some HR Managers do, many do not. Just curious.
August 4th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
When I was hiring a lot of PhD’s I found them to be the worst offenders of grammatical errors. I was a third party recruiter at the time so I would clean up their resume for them but I let them know that it was being done by a high school dropout that never made it past 9th grade English.
August 5th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Looking at the commentary above, one sees so many grammatical mistakes (but not apparently unintentional misspellings–they all used their spell checkers!) that it is to be hoped that they are a bit forgiving in reviewing resumes:
“I also agree that alternating between Madam and Madman, and I agree about the spelling based on the position. ”
or,
“I am normally more concerned when they can’t spell correctly the name of the position to which they are applying for…” !?!?
and finally,
“I found them to be the worst offenders of grammatical errors.”
Please.
August 7th, 2009 at 11:20 am
I agree that it depends on the position, but it makes me wonder how much attention to detail the person would have in the position, and sometimes a typo can be costly. I’m in HR, I’m an administrative assistant and I have a degree in English, so I’m pretty picky about mistakes, even when they’re my own! I think too many people rely on spell check alone for everything (or of course don’t use it at all), you must do manual proofing as well, and when possible another set of eyes. Our written language has become so informal and lax, it drives me nuts, even in email.
I think what irritates me more is getting the 2-3 sentence letters/emails inquiring about any openings, nothing else included, so what that says to me is you’re asking me to do the work for you?
August 7th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
I’m laughing at how many typos are in these responses!!! Makes me think, “who are we to judge?”… I, personally am not very tolerant of misspelling, even though I know it is not a true sign of intelligence, it just seems to be a lack of care.
August 18th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
I just sent a thank you note for an entry-level administrative position in a high school and noticed on my computer that I made a typo! I put “Thanks you” instead of Thank you”. I am mortified! I found this thread as I was sitting here licking my wounds.
The upside is that I sent two notes, and the one that went to the head cheese was perfect. The flawed note went to the second-in charge.
Will this kill my chances? Any input would be appreciated…..
August 21st, 2009 at 11:01 am
If you are unable to prepare a grammatically correct comment, how are you able to determine if the resume’ in question is correct? I agree with WestofLeft, don’t be so quick to judge. I read e-mails full of misspelled words all day. They are usually from someone with more education and a much higher position in the company than I have. I don’t think it’s lack of knowledge, but it sure looks lazy.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:49 am
I know it does. I’ve kicked myself four hundred times over this faux paus. I changed it on my computer, and I’m going to definitely slow down next time.
Normally I’m on the ball, and actually, it was one of those things where I changed it once and then I didn’t save it. This note needed a final draft reading.
Thanks for your comment. I guess time will tell.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:51 am
WestofLeft and Joyce:
Important to note: this message board is quite a big different from a professional resume one prepares in order to obtain a job (quite a life-changing event, don’t you think?). I will likely spend about 30 seconds typing this note, while I easily spent 6 to 8 hours perfecting my resume last time I applied for a position.
I do not look over resumes to find mistakes; however, such typos have a way of jumping off the page when I look over an individual’s qualifications. It’s the same with an applicant’s sloppy, unkept appearance when they come in for an interview. It just has a way of screaming that they are a careless person.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:37 pm
DLG,
I’m unsure whether Joyce was replying to you. Perhaps she was.
My own reply is this:
1. In reading a thank-you, I may never even get to the signature block. So it is quite possible you are the only person who knows about it, if that is where it appeared.
2. Most people, especially academics in my experience, are remarkably clumsy at reading for correct grammar and spelling. Especially so, when they are reading correspondence.
3. It is just not good form to criticize an appropriate expression of gratitude because the form offends in some minor way.
4. Almost everyone is so self-absorbed that a small typo on the part of another is easily overlooked.
I also have to say that the error is a natural one, coming from the conflation of “Thanks” with “Thank you”, it seems to me. Readily forgiven.
And finally, when I find myself beating myself up about some past error, if I ask the person I believe I offended, the usual response is, “Huh? What are you talking about?” Like I said, self-absorbed.
Best of luck. You clearly had the manners to thank them.
Don.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:53 pm
DLG, my apologies. My comments were not specifically directed at your question. I was generalizing about my own personal experiences and did not intend you to think I called you “lazy”. A thank you note, as WestofLeft said, shows good manners and thoughtfulness. I appreciate them even if they aren’t written perfectly. It speaks volumes about the integrity of the applicant, so it’s easy to overlook small errors. We all get busy, we’re all human, we ALL make mistakes sometimes. Good luck at your second interview
August 21st, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Joyce must be a quality person: agrees with me all the time, and that’s enough for THIS country boy!
Don.
August 22nd, 2009 at 9:46 am
Don,
It is very difficult to argue with someone if they have a valid point. If you don’t mind, I’m curious as to the industry you are in and what part of the country you are from. I myself am in transportation out here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
August 24th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Joyce,
I’m HR Manager in an IPA (Independent Physicians Association) which is basically health insurance. In Long Beach, CA.
And the PN is definitely beautiful. And my wife and I would live there and would have lived there years ago but she really isn’t so content when there isn’t sunshine around a lot of the time.
August 27th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
If the name of my organization is misspelled, only one typo is needed to demonstrate a lack of commitment. (Might not be a good idea to misspell my name, either…) :~)
August 28th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Any resume that comes across my desk is my first impression of an individual. If that individual has not taken the time to perfect that first impression, then it is due to either carelessness or lack of knowledge. Both are easily corrected by the simple act of asking someone else to review it before sending it. That someone else should be a person of higher learning or known professional integrity. If you have a vested interest in getting a job and your resume is your entree to a potential employer, then you should tap into the plethora of available resources that will help make that first impression the best it can be. Regardless of how one colors it (and forgives the “little things”), we have become a society tolerant of mediocrity. I yearn for today’s youngsters to have my “old” teachers – English, Math, Science, History, Geography, and yes, even Physical Fitness! All were unforgiving of errors in the written AND spoken word at all times. It made me the “go to” resource for many people over the past 38 years!