Several years ago when I was an HR executive with Frito-Lay International, my boss was fond of saying, “The devil’s in the details.”  That was his way of reminding us to not let the big tasks we were working on get derailed by the little things we take for granted.

Those words of advice also can be applied to one’s job search.

As simplistic as this may seem, I continue to be amazed at how many people submit resumes containing typographical errors or other careless mistakes.

As a recruiter, I maintain a “zero tolerance” policy with respect to resume errors.  I strictly enforce this policy by ensuring such resumes never get into the hands of the hiring manager.  Instead, they end up in my waste basket.

Sadly, this was the case last week when an otherwise seemingly qualified candidate misspelled the word “strategy” on her resume, spelling it as “stratagy”.  Despite relevant experience with a highly regarded Fortune 500 company and impressive academic credentials, her candidacy ended right then.

While this may seem harsh, it’s important to understand that a resume provides a snapshot of a person’s qualifications and potential fit.  Typos, therefore, suggest a candidate is careless, sloppy, and unconcerned about quality or accuracy.  With the marketplace overflowing with capable and qualified applicants, why would anyone consider hiring someone with those traits?

To help ensure your resume isn’t summarily dismissed due to errors, ask someone to proofread it for you.  Even though you may have already double-checked it, the perspective from a fresh pair of eyes can greatly increase the odds your resume is working for you and not against you.

Remember, don’t let careless resume errors bedevil your job candidacy!

Matt Durfee is author of “Job Search Secrets from the Reluctant Expert” and CEO of Orlando-based Navigator Institute (www.navinstitute.com), an online job search skills program. Contact him at mdurfee@navexec.com. He is also a contributing writer and thought leader for business journals in over 40 U.S. markets.