When you are applying for your dream job, even minor details matter. One of these is how to spell the word “resume.” What is the proper resume spelling? Is it “resume”, “résumé”, or “resumé”?
In this brief guide, we’ll explain where “résumé” comes from and how to spell it correctly.
Correct resume spelling
A résumé is a brief document that summarizes a person’s qualifications, experiences, skills, and education, especially when applying for a job.
The word résumé comes from the past participle of the French verb resumer, which means “to sum up.” Originally, the word meant “summary.”
In American English, the accents are dropped for simplification, and over time, “resume” (without accents) became the standard spelling for the document. However, “résumé” (with accents) is more accurate and preferred in formal contexts.
How well-known dictionaries spell résumé
Here is how some popular dictionaries spell it:
- Merriam-Webster: It lists “résumé” as the primary spelling, with “resume” as a variant. Although “resumé” is also an alternative spelling, it is less commonly used.
- Oxford English Dictionary: It recognizes “résumé” as the correct spelling. However, it also acknowledges “resume” and “resumé” as alternatives.
- Cambridge Dictionary: It lists “résumé” as the main spelling and includes “resume” as an alternative form used in American English.
- Collins English Dictionary: It lists “résumé” as the primary spelling, with “resume” as an alternative.
- American Heritage Dictionary: It recognizes “résumé” as the standard spelling and notes that “resumé” and “resume” are also valid alternative spellings.
In summary, “résumé” with accents is the primary spelling preferred by most dictionaries. However, they also acknowledge that “resume” without accents is acceptable, particularly in American English.
Should “résumé” be spelled with accents or without accents?
The accents in “résumé” play an important role. Using accents helps distinguish between the noun and the verb resume, pronounced as [re-zoom], which means to begin again or continue after a pause. Spelling the word “résumé” with accents prevents confusion and shows that you have attention to detail, which recruiters value.
On the other hand, the word is spelled without accents (“resume”) in English, especially in American English.
While this is widely accepted, using the correct accented form, “résumé,” can demonstrate a greater awareness of language and make your document stand out.
Ultimately, you can either use both accents (résumé) or none at all (resume). Additionally, whether you choose to use the accents or not depends on your audience and context, but understanding their importance is key to making an informed decision.
Pro tip: Check the job description to see how they spell it and use that.
How to type resume with accents
Here’s a quick guide on how you can type résumé on your device.
1. Using Alt codes
- Press and hold the Alt key on your keyboard.
- While holding the Alt key, type 0233 on the numeric keypad. Make sure Num Lock is on.
2. Using character map
- Open the Character map program.
- Find the é character, select it, click “copy,” then paste into your document.
1. Using keyboard
- Press Option + e together.
- Release both keys, then press the letter e again.
2. Using character viewer
- Press Command + Control + Space to open the Character Viewer.
- Search for “é” and double-click it to insert into your document.
Whether you are using iOS or android, all you have to do is:
- Hold down the letter e on the keyboard until accented options appear.
- Then slide to select é.
- When using Microsoft Word and other text editors, you can simply type “resume” and then use the autocorrect feature to change it to “résumé.”
- When using online text editors or email clients, you can insert special characters or accents from the menu.
- When using Google Docs, go to “Insert,” then click “Special characters,” then choose “Latin” and then double-click on “é.”
- You may also search for the word resume in any search engine, copy the word, and paste in on your document.
Key takeaways
Spelling and grammar errors reflect your professionalism and attention to detail, so make sure your resume and cover letter are free of typos and mistakes.
When spelling the word resume, you can either use the spelling “résumé” or “resume.” But make sure you are consistent throughout.
Consider having someone else proofread your resume or use an online spell check. You can also use AI tools like Jobscan’s Power Edit to ensure you don’t have any typos or errors in your resume. This tool gives suggestions about phrases and synonyms to optimize your resume and increase your chances of getting noticed by recruiters.
To further help you stand out, check our resume writing guide and use our free resume templates to help you create your standout resume. Or, make the process faster and easier by using our free resume builder and create a resume that gets noticed by recruiters and hiring managers.
