Resume Spelling: Learn How to Spell It Correctly

1. Everything you need to know about how to spell resume for a job
2. Wouldn’t it be easier to just call it a CV instead?

Resume Spelling. It is not a secret that English can be a pain in the neck, to say the least. Homophones alone are worth the “Burn in hell” nomination.

Things aren’t easy with resume spelling as well. There are at least three different spellings. Not to mention, the weird “resamay.” For the sake of all English grammar nerds, forget this variant.

And the worst thing is, you HAVE to know how to spell this confusing word correctly since such a small mistake can cost you a job.

Shall I write résumé or resume? Why do people write a resume with accent marks? Is there a difference between resume, resumé, or résumé? Which option is the correct one? If these are the questions you have in your head right now, keep reading and you will find answers to all of them.

Everything you need to know about how to spell resume for a job

This question is the reason why you came here in the first place. When you apply for a job, proofreading is everything. Trust us, the last thing you want to do is “impress” a potential employer with your spelling mistakes, especially in the name of a document you attach to an email. Of course, you don't want that to happen. Besides, in your resume it is said that you are attentive to details, so you just can't miss such a detail as resume spelling.

Let’s cut to the chase. Where is the accent in “resume?”

To make this world a little bit nicer place to live, we will tell you that “résumé” and “resume” (with and without accent marks) are interchangeable and you can use whichever you prefer. Both spellings are commonly used and valid. You can’t go wrong if you pick either of these versions.

Chances are there have been times when you have come across resumé with the accent placed on the last “e.” Technically, there’s nothing wrong with writing it this way, but grammarians highly recommend avoiding this version since it is the least common.

However, it is not all as rosy as it may look. The accented spelling of résume with the acute accent on the first e is dead wrong.

So, to save yourself the trouble of double-checking whether you put that annoying dash above the correct “e” in the word “resume,” we suggest that you write it without any accent marks at all. After all, accent marks aren’t a common thing in written English and mostly used in words of foreign origin.

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Such an approach will also save you tons of time since there won't be a need to look for special characters in your editor or search the internet to copy and paste the correct resume accents.

Wouldn’t it be easier to just call it a CV instead?

Perhaps, it would be easier, if you could do so. But the bad news is, you CAN’T!

The word “résumé” is of French origin and can literally be translated as “summary,” which makes sense in terms of its usage as a document for applying for a job. The interesting thing is, the French normally use a curriculum vitae (or CV) for this purpose.

In the United States, on the other hand, a CV carries a different meaning. You will want to opt for a CV instead of a resume if you need to make a full list of your academic accomplishments with descriptions, published articles and/or books, etc. For this reason, CVs are commonly longer and aren’t used as a reply to a job offer.

So, if you need a short application document in which you describe your education and work experience, it will be a resume, not a CV. That is why it is incorrect to use these words interchangeably.

Sound too difficult? Check out this awesome collection of resume templates and craft your job-winning resume today!

All in all, it doesn’t really matter which option of resume spelling you choose, consistency is what matters and whether or not you are an appropriate candidate for a particular position.

Now that the questions like “How do you spell resume?” aren’t scary and confusing anymore, feel free to share these bits of wisdom with your friends and colleagues.

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