5 Tips To Avoid Resume and Cover Letter Typos

In today’s competitive job market, a typo in a cover letter or resume really does matter. Hiring managers have very high expectations; they’re looking at hundreds, if not thousands, of job applications, so even a single error can cause you to be eliminated from the candidate pool. While crafting and sending numerous perfect—and hopefully, customized—applications is no easy task, it’s a step worth taking to ensure your documents make the right impression.

The quality of your resume and cover letter is, in essence, your first impression on an employer. While the content of what you say will be most important, formatting, spelling, and grammar are equally critical. Almost all jobs require strong communication skills and sharp attention to detail, and hiring managers will be looking for evidence of these skills in your application materials. Simple errors can reflect poorly on your professionalism and focus, leading employers to question your suitability for the role, especially if it’s in a precision-driven industry like finance or communications.

When might typos not matter? Some hiring managers might argue they always do, but there are exceptions to every rule. For example, a typo in a writer, copyeditor, or email marketer’s application may have far more serious consequences than one in an application for a cashier or retail position. However, if written communication is a significant part of the role you’re applying for, it’s essential to ensure that your resume and cover letter are entirely free of errors.

5 Tips to Avoid Typos in Your Cover Letter and Resume

1. Print to Proofread

While digital screens are convenient, they can sometimes make it difficult to spot errors. Printing your resume and cover letter allows you to see the text in a different format, making it easier to catch mistakes. Use a pen to mark any errors you find, and then make the necessary corrections on your digital copy.

2. Read the Document Out Loud

Reading your documents out loud forces you to slow down and pay attention to each word. This technique can help you catch awkward phrasing, missing words, and other errors that you might overlook when reading silently.

3. Enlist Help from Family, Friends, and Colleagues

A fresh set of eyes can be invaluable in catching errors you might have missed. Ask trusted friends, family members, or colleagues to review your resume and cover letter. They can provide feedback on both content and clarity, ensuring your documents are polished and professional.

4. Hire a Professional Copyeditor

If you're serious about making a great impression, consider hiring a professional copyeditor. They have the expertise to spot even the smallest errors and can help you refine your documents to perfection.

Editorr is a fantastic online platform that connects you with professional copyeditors, available 24/7. Need a cover letter proofread on a Sunday at midnight? No problem.

Editorr’s expert copyeditors don’t just catch mistakes—they offer valuable suggestions to significantly improve the quality of your writing.

5. Use an Online Editing Tool

There are numerous online tools available that can help you catch typos and grammatical errors. Nowadays, most of the writing tools have grammar and spelling checks built in. You can even go a step further and use an AI cover letter generator to assist with every aspect of your cover letter writing. We even have a comprehensive guide on how to write a cover letter using AI.

Noticed a mistake after sending your application?

Resist the urge to send a follow-up message to correct it. Hiring managers likely receive dozens, if not hundreds, of emails daily, and an extra message to call out a minor error will likely not be appreciated. There’s a good chance they won’t even notice, but if you send an additional email, they definitely will. Focus on moving forward, and don’t dwell on small mistakes that may go unnoticed.