Common Spelling Mistakes to Avoid on Your Resume

The following post features Common Spelling Mistakes to Avoid on Your Resume.

While spellcheck is a valuable tool for identifying typos, it’s not foolproof. Since it relies on correct spelling, it usually doesn’t catch instances where the wrong word is used (despite being spelled correctly).

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Related: Understanding the Hidden Job Market

Some spelling mistakes are quite common and easily overlooked by spellcheck. That’s why it’s important to manually proofread your Resume and to be cognizant of the potential for contextual errors.

Here’s what you need to know.

Peaked vs. Piqued

• Peaked: Reached a high point.
• Piqued: Stimulated interest or irritation.

Their vs. There vs. They’re

• Their: Possessive pronoun.
• There: Refers to a place or position.
• They’re: Contraction of “they are.”

Affect vs. Effect

• Affect: Verb meaning to influence.
• Effect: Noun meaning the result.

Compliment vs. Complement

• Compliment: Expression of praise.
• Complement: Something that completes or pairs well.

Principle vs. Principal

• Principle: Fundamental truth or belief.
• Principal: Leader of a school or primary importance.

Stationary vs. Stationery

• Stationary: Not moving.
• Stationery: Writing materials.

Discrete vs. Discreet

• Discrete: Separate or distinct.
• Discreet: Showing prudence or carefulness.

Than vs. Then

• Than: Used in comparisons.
• Then: Refers to time.

Elicit vs. Illicit

• Elicit: To draw out.
• Illicit: Illegal or forbidden.

Passed vs. Past

• Passed: Verb, as in “went by.”
• Past: Refers to time or location (e.g., “in the past”).

Formally vs. Formerly

• Formally: In a formal manner.
• Formerly: Previously.

Alter vs. Altar

• Alter: To change.
• Altar: Structure for religious worship.

Cue vs. Queue

• Cue: A signal for action.
• Queue: A line or sequence.

Capital vs. Capitol

• Capital: City or wealth.
• Capitol: Building housing a legislative body.

Should of vs. Should have

• Should of: Incorrect; mistaken for “should’ve.”
• Should have: Correct usage.

Allude vs. Elude

• Allude: To refer to indirectly.
• Elude: To escape or avoid.

Lose vs. Loose

• Lose: To not win or misplace.
• Loose: Not tight.

Advice vs. Advise

• Advice: Noun meaning guidance.
• Advise: Verb meaning to recommend.

Assure vs. Ensure vs. Insure

• Assure: To reassure or promise.
• Ensure: To guarantee.
• Insure: To cover against risk.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, I hope this article helps you bypass these common spelling mistakes to avoid on your Resume. By manually proofreading your Resume, you can avoid mistakes that spellcheck doesn’t catch.