Does Resume Have An Accent Mark

You’d be surprised how often this comes up. People wonder if “résumé” needs those little marks, or if it’s fine to just go with “resume. ” Let’s clear it up once and for all.

Technically, the word comes from French, where it’s spelled “résumé. ” The accents over the e’s are called acute accents, and they’re part of the original spelling. But here’s the thing, this isn’t a French term anymore. In English, it’s been so widely adopted that most people skip the accents entirely.

Does it matter? Well, kind of. It depends on where you're submitting it and who’s reading it.

What Most People Do

Here in the US, most people don’t bother with the marks. They just write “resume. ” It’s simple, easy, and honestly, no one’s going to mark you down for it. Hiring managers are busy scanning your experience and skills, not nitpicking over accents.

That said, it’s not technically wrong to include them. If you prefer the “résumé” spelling because it feels more polished or correct to you, go for it. The key is consistency. Use the same spelling throughout your document and in any cover letters or emails. Switching between “resume” and “résumé” might look sloppy, even if it’s unintentional.

The One You Shouldn’t Use

There’s one option you want to avoid: “resumé. ” This version has just one accent, and it’s wrong in both French and English. It might seem like a nice compromise, but it actually looks like a mistake. Stick to either both accents or none at all.

What About Other Countries?

If you’re applying for jobs outside the US, the norms might be different. For example, in Canada, you’ll often see “résumé” with the accents, but “resume” is still accepted. In other English-speaking countries, like the UK or Australia, you’ll find “CV” is the more common term anyway, so the whole accents debate doesn’t even come up.

So, What Should You Do?

If you’re unsure, play it safe and follow the majority. In the US, that means leaving off the accents. It’s the easiest and most widely accepted choice. But if you really like how “résumé” looks, you’re not wrong for using it. Just don’t stress about it too much. Your experience and qualifications matter way more than how you spell the word at the top of the page.

In the end, the best resume is the one that gets you the interview. That’s where your focus should be. Don’t let little things like accent marks distract you from the bigger picture.