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How spelling errors changed recruiter ratings

A recruiter experiment gives us a useful answer and a reason not to panic over one typo.

What the experiment actually tested

Recruiters evaluated otherwise comparable resumes with zero, two, or five spelling errors across eight occupations. Both error conditions lowered ratings, with a larger penalty at five errors. A single typo was not tested.1

Observed rating differences

Two and five errors both lowered interview ratings.

445 recruiters rated fictitious graduate resumes across eight occupations.

FIG 01
Spelling errorsChange in 0–10 interview rating
0 errorsReference group
2 errors−0.73 points
5 errors−1.85 points

Compared with error-free resumes. These are hypothetical interview ratings, not observed callback rates. A single error was not tested.

Fig. 1 / Measured differencesThe larger penalty occurred with five errors.Sterkens et al., PLOS ONE (2023), Table 4.

The penalty grows when errors become a pattern

In the 2023 study, hiring professionals evaluated fictitious resumes with a randomized number of spelling errors. They assigned the five-error version a lower hypothetical interview rating than the error-free version.1

Perceptions measured

Errors also changed impressions of the applicant.

Recruiters rated three areas lower with two or five spelling errors.

FIG 02
PerceptionWhat recruiters were asked to judge
Interpersonal skillsCommunication and working with others
ConscientiousnessCare, organization, and responsibility
Mental abilitiesLearning, problem-solving, and knowledge
Fig. 2 / Recruiter perceptionsThese are impressions, not measured job performance.Sterkens et al., PLOS ONE (2023), Sections 2.3 and 3.3.

What this does and does not justify

It justifies a careful spelling pass. It does not justify pretending one typo always ends the process, extending the result to every language or labor market, or treating error-free writing as proof of job performance.1

What to fix first

  • •Spelling and grammar consistency.
  • •Date alignment and spacing.
  • •Repeated tense shifts inside a single role.

Common questions

Do a few typos really matter?

The strongest result here concerns five errors, not one. Fix any error you find, but do not treat a single typo as a proven automatic rejection.

Is grammar more important than content?

No. Relevant experience still matters. Repeated errors can create a preventable penalty around otherwise strong content.

What is the fastest fix?

Run a spelling check, then read the final document for spacing, punctuation, and inconsistent verb tenses.

How this shows up in your report

01

Run a separate spelling pass

Your report is not a spell-checker. Use a dedicated spelling and consistency check after the content review.

02

Keep one typo in perspective

Fix an error when you find it. This study did not test a single typo or show that it automatically causes rejection.

Sources and related research

Sources

  1. 01Costly mistakes: Why and when spelling errors in resumes jeopardise interview chances — PLOS ONE (2023).

Related research

Clear Writing Changes How Evidence Is JudgedWritingHow Recruiters ReadResearchResume Length MythsStructure

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