4 Common Grammar Errors to Eliminate From Your Resume

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You know spelling errors in your resume or cover letter is going to tank your chances of getting a job, right? Using spell check is the first rule for anyone developing their own resume or cover letter. What spell check may not uncover, however, are grammatical errors that can be just as deadly to a successful job search.

Hiring managers are deluged with applications and resumes, especially for coveted entry-level jobs. Your resume and cover letter are possibly the only chance you’ll get to make a good impression. When faced with the task of eliminating a large quantity of prospective employees, an easy way to reduce the candidate pool is to get rid of anyone who hasn’t bothered to ensure their professional documents are free of errors.

The culprit: homophones

Let’s do a quick review. A homophone is when two or more words are pronounced the same way but have different meanings, e.g. ‘right’ and ‘write’. It’s very important to use the correct homophone in your job search documents.

1) Your and You’re

Your – something possessed by or belonging to you.
Example: I have visited your website.

You’re – a shorter way to say “you are”.
Example: You’re welcome to check my references.

2) There, Their and They’re

There – a place
Example: When I get there I will phone you.

Their – showing possession or belong
Example: Their office is located at 234 High Street.

They’re – a shorter way to say “they are”
Example: They’re very helpful people to work with.

3) Two, To, and Too

Two – the number falling between one and three
Example: I have two meetings this morning.

To – multiple meanings often dealing with direction or connection
Example: The map to the office is on our website.

Too – also or in addition
Example: I will bring a copy of my diploma too.

4) It’s and Its

It’s – a shorter way to say “it is” or “it has”
Example: It’s the best way to contact me.

Its – any other variation of the word
Example: Put your laptop in its case.

While this may seem like nitpicking, people that care about these issues care a great deal – even to the point of distraction. Grammatical errors indicate you may not be the best person for the job. At best, it demonstrates a lack of attention to detail. At worst, it shows that you may not be a good student. Regardless of the conclusion, it’s a good chance you won’t be able to progress to the next stage of the hiring process.

For more resume tips, visit our Resume Help section in the Careers and Industry Guide. Alternatively, our Resume Writing Service can take the pressure off entirely and ensure you have professional career documents.

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