Common grammar mistakes to avoid on your CV

Common grammar mistakes to avoid on your CV by Michael Cheary Let’s face it, first impressions count…And when it comes to a job application, a well-written and mistake free CV is vital if you want to sell yourself effectively. In other words, even the person reading it isn’t quite as pedantic about their punctuation â€" a missed apostrophe or simple spelling mistake can often spell the end of your chances.To help you stand out for all the right reasons, here’s how to tackle the most common (and all-too-often glaring) grammatical errors:Your/You’reYour  â€" Relating to/owned by you (‘your blog’, ‘your job’, ‘your delightful suburban semi-detached abode’).You’re  â€" You are.When it comes to the commonly confused ‘your’ and ‘you’re’, think before you write.Even if you’re fully aware of how they differ, writing at speed can often cause you to miss of letters by accident. And unfortunately, most spellcheckers won’t underline ‘your’ as a misspelled word â€" even if it’s used in th e wrong context.Possible CV Example:Thank you for  your  consideration.I am aware that  you’re  currently looking to fill the position of Sales Associate.  What not to do on your CV  Its/It’sIts  â€"  Not  it is.It’s  â€" It is.When reading back over  your  (see what we did there?) CV, always check your apostrophes, especially when it comes to the its/it’s rule.The simplest test is to read the sentence out loud, replacing both uses with ‘it is’ as you read.If it makes no sense, it definitely doesn’t need an apostrophe.Possible CV Example:When the company reviewed  its  social media strategy, the changes I instigated had a positive impact.I enjoy correcting people’s spelling mistakes.  It’s  something that gives me a great sense of superiority.What recruiters are really looking for in your CVThere/Their/They’reThere  â€" Used when referring to a place or object (whether physical or abstract).Their  â€" When something belongs to  them.They’re  â€" They are.The t here/their/they’re paradox is probably the most common grammatical issue to go against a candidate’s CV. Basically, as there are three possible options, there are two other ways of getting it wrong (motivational speech on standby).If you’re not sure of this rule, learn it. It  will  come up daily.Possible CV Example:Whilst working  there, I learned a lot.Unfortunately,  their  decision to downsize meant that I lost my job.They’re  really going to regret that decision. Trust me.  Affect/EffectAffect  â€" To influence somethingEffect  â€" The result of somethingThe  majority  of the time, affect is used as a verb, and effect as a noun although it’s worth noting that effect can sometimes be used as a verb.However, as opposed to the pesky ‘i before e, except after c’ rule (don’t even get us started), most of the time this one sticks.Possible CV Example:Taking a Project Management course had a major  effect  on my productivity levels.Taking a PRINCE2 ® course is positive ly  affecting  my time management skills and knowledge of key project management practices.      Other grammatical errors to avoid:  loose/lose, learned/learnt, im/I’m, i.e./e.g., to/too, LOLZ  Final thoughtsDon’t rush it. A day spent on your CV is better than six months of waiting for a reply.Never rely solely on spellcheck. Although it will pick up some errors, it often misses certain grammatical mistakes.Make sure you’re reading your CV thoroughly, focusing on grammar, spelling, and punctuation. A quick skim read might feel like enough, but it won’t allow you to spot small mistakes.Always get someone to proofread your CV when you’ve finished. Something which makes sense to you may not make sense to the person reading it.If in doubt, avoid abbreviations in general. Not only will you cut down on mistakes, you’ll also come across more professional.What words should I use on my CV?How to write a CVNeed more CV advice?It takes an employer just seven seconds to save or reje ct a job applicant’s CV. This means creating a succinct CV is absolutely vital if you want to land that all-important interview. To find out how to make your CV stand out from the crowd, buy James Reed’s new book: The 7 Second CV: How to Land the Interview. Still searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs nowFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the CVs