With criminal background checks, drug screenings, credit checks, resume scanning software, and a series of interviews all standing in the way of a job offer, why would anyone want to create their own self-imposed barrier to employment?\u00a0 That’s exactly what you do when you don’t proofread the marketing materials you submit to an employer.<\/p>\n
Don’t Rely on Spell Check<\/strong> Give Your Marketing Materials the Time They’re Worth<\/strong> Here are some funny, real examples of typos I have seen in resumes, cover letters, and emails:<\/strong><\/p>\n What They Said:<\/strong> Freelnace Designer What They Said:<\/strong> God listener What They Said: <\/strong>I go tall three What They Said:<\/strong> Defiantly interested What They Said: <\/strong>Costumer service What They Said: <\/strong>Maturity leave What They Said:<\/strong> Unclear Physics What They Said: <\/strong>Interested in this poison What They Said: <\/strong>I’m so glade What They Said: <\/strong>Cover lover Taylor Mali, one of my favorite spoken word poets, has a funny poem about proof reading.\u00a0 Check it out!<\/strong>
\nToo many people rely on spell check to edit their resumes and many others don’t even take the time to run a spell check.\u00a0 When you submit marketing materials such as your resume, cover letter, Curriculum Vitae, or web portfolio, it is a representation of your brand.\u00a0 Employers won’t just review these materials; they will evaluate them and make value judgments about you as a person.\u00a0 For instance, if you submit a resume with poor grammar, it will definitely say you made a grammar mistake but employers may also interpret it to mean that you didn’t take the application process seriously enough to review your own materials prior to submitting, you do sloppy work, you are lazy, or you aren’t the sharpest tool in the shed.\u00a0 You may have just made a stupid mistake and none of this may be true but perception is what matters.<\/p>\n
\nIf writing is a particular challenge for you, then you need to spend more time reviewing your marketing collateral.\u00a0 You should have several trusted people review your materials after you have reviewed them carefully at least 3 times.\u00a0 The more qualified the people reviewing your materials, the more likely your materials won’t have errors.\u00a0 This means, if you have access to English Instructors, ask them to check for grammar and spelling.\u00a0 If you have access to career coaches, ask them to review your suite of marketing materials.\u00a0 The length of time you spend on your marketing materials is indicative of how serious you are about landing a job.\u00a0 How much time do you spend on your marketing materials?\u00a0 How much time do you spend practicing your interview skills?\u00a0 If you’re like most, you don’t spend enough time.\u00a0 Given this current economy, now is the perfect time to take your personal marketing more seriously.<\/p>\n
\nWhat They Meant: <\/strong>Freelance Designer<\/p>\n
\nWhat They Meant:<\/strong> Good listener<\/p>\n
\nWhat They Meant:<\/strong> I got all three<\/p>\n
\nWhat They Meant: <\/strong>Definitely interested<\/p>\n
\nWhat They Meant: <\/strong>Customer service<\/p>\n
\nWhat They Meant:<\/strong> Maternity leave<\/p>\n
\nWhat They Meant:<\/strong> Nuclear Physics<\/p>\n
\nWhat They Meant:<\/strong> Interested in this position<\/p>\n
\nWhat They Meant: <\/strong>I’m so glad<\/p>\n
\nWhat They Meant: <\/strong>Cover letter<\/p>\n
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