Grammar errors are harmful. They have different consequences depending on the type of content that they’re made in.
For example, if you make them in a text message, you’ll just look a little clumsy, but there won’t be any longer-lasting repercussions. If you make them in an essay or an assignment, on the other hand, the consequences would be somewhat more serious.
One of the worst places that you can make grammar errors is in your resume or curriculum vitae. If your CV or resume has errors in it, it means big trouble for you and your job search.
Why write grammatically perfect resumes?
The real question is: why not?
But since we have to make a point here, we’re going to just stand that question on its head and look at some reasons that you should write grammatically perfect resumes.
1. They make you look serious
One of the first things that a recruiter will want to determine when looking at your CV is how serious you are about getting the job.
That is basically the reason why some job applying processes ask for specific cover letters and answers to questions i.e., so that the template throwers can get filtered out from the actual dedicated folk.
If your resume has grammar errors in it, it just sends an “I’m really not that serious about this job” signal to the recruiter. And it makes sense, too. A person who’s actually eager for a job would be careful enough to check the CV that they send in.
On the other hand, if your resume does not have grammar errors in it, it shows how meticulous and sedulous you are. Interestingly enough, even if you don’t happen to be very serious about a job but you send in a grammatically perfect CV, it would make you look serious.
2. They show your writing/communication skill
When there are no grammar issues in your resume, it shows that you have a firm grasp of grammatical rules and regulations. When there is a firm grasp of said rules and regulations, it automatically means that the person is adept in communication (verbal and written).
If you can convey your communication and writing skills in your resume, it can highly raise your chances of getting selected for the job.
3. They can show you how much attention you pay to details
Finding and removing grammar errors requires attention to detail. The process of dinging such errors and then fixing them is somewhat meticulous.
If your resume is free from spelling and grammar errors, it can show to the recruiter how much attention to detail you have.
In a lot of jobs, paying attention to details may be a very important factor that the hiring company could be looking for.
Those are, in a nutshell, some of the reasons that you should write grammatically-perfect resumes when looking for jobs.
How to write grammatically perfect resumes?
Now that we’re done looking at the “why” of writing grammatically-perfect resumes, let’s move on to look at the “how.”
1. Pay extra attention to the textual parts of your resume when writing them
One way to write resumes without grammar and spelling mistakes is to avoid them during the writing process itself. When you’re writing the resume, just be a bit careful about how you word your sentences.
A lot of errors can occur in your writing if you just switch to autopilot and start writing without paying attention. You just have to avoid doing that in your resume and you’ll be able to prevent a lot of errors from occurring in the first place.
2. Proofread the textual parts once you are done
Then, once you are done writing the textual parts of your resume, you should give them a simple read. Proofreading a piece of text manually can also help you spot the errors in it – the ones that you inadvertently make during the writing process.
A good practice when proofreading any sort of text – resumes included – is to give some time after you’re done writing it. In other words, you should not proceed to proofread the content instantly once you are done writing it. That way, you don’t get to be as perceptive to the errors, and they can just pass by in front of you without you realizing it.
3. Use a grammar checker
On top of manually checking for errors in the resumes, you should also take the help of online tools.
Using online tools, of course, comes after you’re done writing the whole thing. It can substitute the manual proofreading part – or just supplement it.
Grammar checkers are essentially made to analyze a piece of text and point out the errors in it by highlighting them. Furthermore, they also give the correct suggestions for the errors and, in some cases, a detailed explanation about them as well.
To get the most out of these tools, here are some things that you should do:
- Be careful about picking a good grammar checker to begin with
- Be careful about each and every one of the errors that you correct. Grammar checkers can sometimes give a wrong suggestion or point out something as an error that isn’t really an error.
Conclusion
Writing grammatically correct resumes can help you get the job you want by showing your skill and attention to detail. Compromising on grammatical integrity is not something that you want to do when creating a CV.
In the post above, we have talked about some of the things that you can do to make your resume grammatically perfect. It includes simple stuff – such as proofreading the text of the resume once you are done writing it and using a grammar checker.
