I really do know how to spell, I promise.
September 16, 2014 9:37 PM   Subscribe

What should I do about typos on my resume?

Besides fix them, of course!

I submitted a resume and cover letter for a position I am interested in a few days ago. I spoke to an HR guy by phone and after a few minutes he offered to set up an interview. Now I'm scheduled to go meet with the team tomorrow. The problem is, I accidentally sent a proof copy of my resume, not the final version as my original submission. My resume and cover letter have glaring typos. It's embarrassing.

Should I pretend the typos don't exist? If I've made it this far, perhaps they don't care after all? Did they not notice? I've already corrected the typos and will bring printed copies to the interview. Should I mention it when I provide these (if asked).

It was a simple mistake, but a rookie mistake. I honestly wouldn't hire me based on those typos, if I was making this decision. Is it better to try and address it somehow in the interview or is that only calling attention to the mistake? Assume basic communication and knowing how to operate spell check is a necessary skill for this position.
posted by anonymous to Work & Money (11 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
Don't mention it.

If they chose to schedule an interview with you, there is no way that drawing their attention to your mistake will improve their opinion of you. Either they noticed the typos and don't care enough to rule you out, or they didn't notice.

Bring your updated printed copies to the interview, but don't mention the typos.
posted by mekily at 9:43 PM on September 16, 2014 [10 favorites]


I would not mention it until I got to the interview. I would hand them an updated copy of cover letter and resume. I would also address it head on by saying, "Here is an up to date resume. I mistakenly sent you a draft version. The only material differences are I fixed the typos."

I think it is a matter of personal preference whether you say anything directly or just hand them correct versions. If I didn't get the job I would always wonder if it was because of the typos and to me, by addressing it, it shows you recognize them, can admit a mistake and correct it. If you don't say anything, they can assume what they want.
posted by 724A at 9:56 PM on September 16, 2014 [28 favorites]


If it makes you feel any better, I had a pretty stupid typo on my resume that persisted long enough that I got not one, but two jobs despite the error. I don't know how I and the people I had proofreading it missed that typo over the course of at least four years, but we did. Talk about embarrassment...

I agree with those who say don't mention it.
posted by primethyme at 10:08 PM on September 16, 2014


724A is right on the money.
As a hiring manager--I will notice the typos.
However, I would not hold it against you if you handed me a corrected copy with the message 724A crafted for you.
Don't dwell on it, but do hand in a corrected version--then go on with the interview.
posted by calgirl at 11:40 PM on September 16, 2014 [1 favorite]


Thudding 724a's strategy. Don't ignore them. Address them as draft errors and provide the correct version.
Good luck!
posted by SLC Mom at 11:57 PM on September 16, 2014 [1 favorite]


Don't ignore: acknowledge, correct, move on. Managers don't mind mistakes; it's how you deal with them that they really care about and this is a good opportunity to model behaviours you will hopefully show on the job with regard to mistakes, i.e. problem fixed, no excuses, no drama.

Best of luck!
posted by smoke at 1:30 AM on September 17, 2014 [2 favorites]


"I'm glad you noticed the typos. I was, in fact, testing you! I would be pleased to work here now that I know how keen an eye for detail your organisation posseses."

But seriously, nthing 724A.
posted by Effigy2000 at 4:17 AM on September 17, 2014 [2 favorites]


Riffing off smoke's comment upthread, making a joke about the resume errors will go a long way toward making you a memorable job candidate (in a good way) for your poise and resiliency under stressful conditions.
posted by DrGail at 4:56 AM on September 17, 2014 [1 favorite]


Assuming they saw the resume before finalizing the interview, you're fine. Resumes are for deciding if you want to interview someone.

I would not say anything about it, regardless. I do like the idea of bringing a correct resume to the interview, as mekily mentions, but I wouldn't call attention to the errors in the previous version.

Calling attention to your typos is going to render you "the typo guy" going forward. You want to be remembered for good things, not mistakes. "The typo guy" doesn't get hired, because it's assumed this is you putting your best foot forward. Imagine the mistakes Typo Guy is going to make every day once he actually has the job.
posted by Sara C. at 9:05 AM on September 17, 2014


724A is spot on, but I will add: you should always bring extra copies of your resume with you on interviews.

There's always one person that gets pulled in at the last minute or forgets their copy and wants to run back to their desk. Having a couple of spares is a great touch.
posted by JoeZydeco at 9:26 AM on September 17, 2014 [2 favorites]


724A is exactly right.

In the future, be certain there are no typos on your resume - that's not hard to do, and sometimes it really matters.

I never looked twice at a resume or application with misspelled words or typos when I was hiring years ago, but I was hiring for a position that demanded correct grammar, usage and spelling.

I'd still balk at a resume with typos, though, because I'd figure the person was either too lazy or too clueless to get it right. In that case, I might as well hire someone else who's resume showed more care.
posted by aryma at 12:03 AM on September 18, 2014


« Older Surely the internet will know-- exact copyright...   |   Android design specifically, and mobile design... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.