Why Grammatical Errors Can Hurt Your Job Prospects: Proofreading Tips for Students
If you are a student in the process of graduating from college or university, you know what the next challenge ahead is: finding a job. While taking the first step up the career ladder can seem stressful and overwhelming, there is a lot that you can do to improve your chances of making a stellar first impression with your future employers and landing the best job.
And, it all starts with crafting a great CV and resume that is free of spelling mistakes and typos.
In this guide, you’ll learn why pristine grammar is crucial when applying for a job and discover 8 unmissable proofreading tips to boost your chances of success.
3 Ways in Which Good Grammar Can Help You Land the Perfect Job
Grammar is an essential part of any job application, yet it is often overlooked by prospective candidates. Knowing how to construct a sentence properly and use the correct language in your applications may seem like minor details. But getting the small things right could make all the difference between landing that dream role and having to submit more applications.
Here are 3 ways good grammar can help you land the perfect job.
Showcasing Your Communication Skills
According to recent surveys, good communication is the number one skill hiring managers look for in successful job candidates. And, using the right grammar can help you get a head start against competitors and other applicants.
Whether you are writing a CV, crafting a cover letter, or simply engaging in an email dialogue with a recruiter, using the right grammar, avoiding typos, and paying attention to your vocabulary and sentence structure can help you present yourself in the best possible light.
Boosting Your Credibility as a Candidate
Demonstrating good grammar in your applications and interviews can help you stand out from the competition. By using correct punctuation, capitalization, and sentence structure, you can showcase your level of professionalism, credibility, and seriousness. This is also the case if you decide to adopt a casual or witty voice tone that best aligns with a company’s brand identity.
Highlighting Your Attention to Detail
No matter what role you are applying for, a major part of any job application is demonstrating your attention to detail. Grammar errors, typos, and poor grammar can cast a shadow over your first impression and let out that you might not have a great eye for details. Fortunately, this can be easily fixed with the tips below!
8 Proofreading Tips To Make a Stellar First Impression
No matter whether you are applying for a remote job right out of college or you wish to work for a local brick-and-mortar enterprise when applying for a job, it’s important to make sure you leave a good first impression.
Proofreading your application materials is key to achieving that. Here are 8 proofreading tips that can help.
Start With Spell-Checking – But Take a Step Further
Spell-checking should be the first step to take when proofreading your job application documents and materials. Using your laptop’s spell check feature is easy, fast, and can make a huge difference in the overall look of your CV or resume.
However, make sure to take it one step further by double-checking everything from grammar usage to sentence clarity.
Additionally, take some time to consider if you are using the right choice of words that match what the employer is looking for – which takes us to the next point!
Learn More About the Language and Vocabulary Your Future Employer Uses
Whether you are getting ready for an interview or are about to send your resume to your dream employers, make sure to carry out some research on the company you’ll be working for.
Consider using the same language used in the posted job descriptions, check out the company values when crafting your CV, and take time to read through the company website’s landing pages and blog posts.
This can help you update your CV to match your future employer’s voice tone and vocabulary and can create a better affinity between you and the hiring manager.
Pro tip: Make sure to modify your CV and resume accordingly for each application!
Go Back to Proofreading After Taking a Break
Taking short breaks when proofreading helps you notice mistakes that you might have missed out on. This is especially true if you attempt to proofread a CV after having spent hours crafting your resume!
Instead, to make the process more effective, give yourself time to come back with a fresh perspective and you’ll easily spot any errors you may have overlooked before. Aim to pause every 25-30 minutes, as that allows your brain time needed to reset and helps focus again when returning to work.
Keep Readability in Mind
According to estimations, hiring managers spend between 6 and 7 seconds on each CV during their first assessment. Because of this, it is crucial for you to learn how to make the best first impression in such a reduced amount of time.
Of course, avoiding grammar errors and mistakes can help. However, it is just as important to craft a CV while keeping readability in mind. If unsure, consider using different sections, bullet points, and short paragraphs to make it easier for hiring managers to scan your CV.
Print Out Your CV or Resume
Printing out your application makes it easier to spot errors you may have overlooked. You can take a closer look at the overall structure and grammar, as well as pay attention to spelling mistakes. Seeing your text in a physical form also helps get an idea of what employers will see when they pick up the paper.
Use Proofreading Tools to Your Advantage
Modern technologies can provide invaluable assistance when proofreading job applications. These proofreader tools online offer instant and accurate corrections for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, typos, and repetitive words. They save significant time by scrutinizing entire documents quickly and efficiently, making them great resources for students applying for jobs.
Read Your Application Out Loud
Before pressing send, read your application out loud to yourself. This will help identify any mistakes you may have missed and pick up on areas where sentences are too long or don’t make sense. Doing this aloud can also get you in the rhythm of how the language should flow for an engaging read.
Ask Friends and Family for Help
Lastly, don’t forget that you are not alone in this! Whether you are an international student applying for a job in a foreign country or you have doubts about some grammar concepts, you should consider the benefits of asking a friend or family member for help.
Getting a second opinion can help you catch typos and mistakes that you might have missed and get some reassurance that your CV truly showcases your experience, skills, and attitude.