Why small details on your resume matter
Why it matters
Small mistakes send a big message
A recruiter often reads many resumes. A wrong spelling or a phone number that does not work can make a good resume look careless. It can also stop the recruiter from reaching you at all.
These checks take a few minutes. They cannot promise a job, but they remove easy reasons to be passed over.
Spelling and format
Spelling, dates and formatting
Read your resume slowly, line by line. Then read it once more on your phone.
- Check spelling, especially names of companies, tools and places.
- Write every date in the same style.
- Use the same font, size and bullet shape throughout.
- Use the same tense: past for old jobs, present for your current job.
- Ask a friend to read it. Fresh eyes find mistakes.
Contact details
A professional email and a working phone number
Your contact details are how a recruiter reaches you. Check each one.
Avoid
An email like cooldude123@…
It looks casual for a work application.
Better
Use a simple address with your name.
Avoid
A number that is switched off or wrong by one digit
A recruiter who cannot reach you moves on.
Better
Dial your own number once to check. Keep the phone on and answer unknown calls.
Titles and facts
Correct job titles and current information
Write the job title you really held. Do not make it bigger than it was. If your company used a different name, you can add the common name in brackets.
Remove old information. Delete outdated skills, a city you no longer live in and a number you no longer use. Add your latest job or course.
The file
File name and PDF
Send your resume as a PDF. It looks the same on every phone and computer. Send a Word file only if the employer asks.
Name the file clearly. A recruiter may save many files, and a clear name is easy to find.
Avoid
resume-final-2.pdf
Better
Your-Name-Accounts-Assistant.pdf
Avoid
New Document (1).pdf
Better
Your-Name-Resume.pdf
Final check
A quick checklist before you send
- Spelling is checked.
- Dates and formatting are the same everywhere.
- Email and phone number work.
- Job titles and facts are true and current.
- The file is a PDF with a clear name.
FAQ
Common questions
Do spelling mistakes really matter on a resume?
Yes. They can make a resume look careless, even when your skills are good. Read it again slowly, and ask a friend to read it too.
What kind of email address should I use?
Use a simple, professional address, ideally with your name. Avoid nicknames and jokes. Check that you can open the inbox, because replies will come there.
Which file format should I send my resume in?
A PDF keeps your layout the same on every phone and computer. Send a Word file only if the employer asks for one. ResumeDB lets you download both.
How do I name my resume file?
Use your name and the job, for example Your-Name-Accounts-Assistant.pdf. Avoid names like resume-final-2.pdf.
Related reading
- Upload your resume
- Build a resume
- Get found by recruiters
- Jobs near home in Mumbai
- Resume ready: your next step
- Free resume builder
- Resume for freshers
- How to write a clean resume
- Which resume style to choose: Classic or Modern
- Interview tips: before, during and after
- How to present yourself at an interview
- What is an ATS-friendly resume, and how to check yours for free
- Where to upload your resume to get a job in Mumbai