This last week I attended Back to School night, and met my children’s teachers. As always it was informative and great to connect with the new stewards of my family’s education. Then today I received an email from the teacher that was full of grammatical errors and obviously had not been re-read prior to sending out. While I know all too well how important it is to get communications out, I also know that this teacher is in charge of teaching kids proper writing skills. How can I stand behind my son’s report card comments that he had poor grammar and spelling, when the same teacher had similar problems in her communications to me.
So what the heck does this have to do with you, job seeker? Think about your communications and what they say about you. Make sure your emails are concise and free of errors prior to sending them. I always proofread my messages prior to sending–even if it is just a quick note. It makes communication easier, and prevents any misunderstandings.
As a recruiter, a resume is a snapshot of your experience and skills. I don’t really pay attention to cover letters. I do however like an email that gives me the nitty gritty on what a candidate is looking for, what their living situation is (are they looking to relocate, anchored to a remote locale, or are completely flexible), and related information. In my resume database I input these notes, along with any notes from conversations and interviews. I do advise you to prepare a cover letter to include with your resume. I am only one recruiter, and convention dictates a cover letter. Make sure it is clear, represents you well, and free of typos and errors. This will show your presentation skills and thoroughness.
This of course is true of any communications you send. Make sure you don’t send a email riddled with problems. If you claim in your resume that you have stellar business communication skills, it better be reflected in all your communications.
Okay, so how many grammatical errors did I miss?
