Why Spelling Remains in Style

Back in April, the Brazen Careerist (aka Penelope Trunk) made the assertion that writing without typos is totally outdated. I've been thinking about the post ever since, particularly given that we are living in a shorthand, emoticon-filled world and I am a spelling bee kind of girl.

I agree with Brazen Careerist's assertions that "spellchecker isn't perfect." In my opinion, spell check can also be dangerous if you aren't paying attention: I remember well the laughs that a friend received in college when a rapid paper correction translated her last name from "Borden" to "Bordello." (Fortunately, our Sociology Professor had a great sense of humor.)

A small piece of me that also agrees with the sentiment behind the Brazen Careerist's observation that we don't "have unlimited time, so spend it on ideas, not hyphens." That said, the career counselor in me--the one who has spent the majority of the last decade advising emerging professionals and college students on career-related issues, resumes, and job applications--disagrees.

To me, spelling is as essential as making eye contact when you meet someone new: it's a fundamental part of making a strong impression. When someone looks you in the eye, you know that you have their attention; when you take the time to spell--you show that you care about both the appearance and the content of your information. Good spelling also demonstrates that you are good with details, and that you are paying attention. This builds trust, and increases the likelihood that your ideas will be carefully considered. Bottom line: I'll stick with the timeless assertion that a typo on your resume or cover letter can still--quite possibly--land you in the reject pile.

I know I'm out of sync with many bloggers and members of the court of public opinion--even Verizon directories pronounce "zero" as "O"--and I am doing my best to stay in the game. Unless I'm working with a client, I no longer focus on correcting typos before evaluating what is being said: I am working hard to evaluate ideas before presentation. But I continue to hold my love of spelling close to my heart, and I still answer text messages in longhand.

I hold firm that--in the professional world--spelling is unlikely to go out of style. One of the most-viewed stories in this Sunday's Washington Post: the story of William Glass III, an eighth grader whose attention to grammar wowed judges and the audience of an LG-sponsored national text messaging competition. He didn't win the competition, but his speed, accuracy, and ability to write SMS messages as if he were an "middle-aged technology-clueless English teacher" have certainly garnered him the recognition which will come in handy when it comes to securing his first internship. I rest my case.

Cross Posted at Career Hub.

Taking Lessons on Job Search Strategies from the Olympic Games

This Friday is a rare night of "Must See TV" for me: the opening ceremonies for the Olympics. I can still remember the magical moment in 1996 when Kerri Strug ignored a bad ankle and clinched the Gold medal for the U.S. Women's gymnastic team by sticking the landing on her 2nd vault attempt.

While we are only able to see the U.S. team compete in the Olympics every four years, I think of the metaphors that can be drawn between the gymnastic competition and the job search frequently:

• Olympics:
  
  Both the competitors and the judges who evaluate them adhere to pre-established rules for each element of the competition. Gymnasts are well aware of the expectations for each event and know that each performance will be evaluated within the parameters of those rules.

• Job Search:
  
  The process is a bit different. Job seekers generally receive information on the requirements for a position through a job description and advertisement; however, there's less overt information shared on the evaluation process.
  
  Furthermore, many interviewers can appear to veer away from the position itself during the interview by asking questions that appear to be unrelated to the position at hand. Do not be fooled: behind every interview question, there's a motivation to learn more about you.
  
  Virtually all interview questions are designed to assess your core competencies, interest, and relevance of background--within the context of the position.

Successful gymnasts often speak of how they visualized the landing before they left the ground. To ensure your success in the job search, think like a gymnast by thinking "backwards" and focusing on your landing first. When asked a question, ask yourself: What skills and attributes are relevant for this position? Which of my experiences speak best to this area?

Develop your application materials and answers to interview questions so that you actively demonstrate your understanding of the position as well as how that position fits into the company at large. Ask yourself, "What are the most critical skills to perform in this position? Based on the position description and what I know of the industry and job function--what does the employer need most? How can I fill this need?"

"Reverse engineer" your application materials and responses to interview questions in this way and you'll be able to articulate your understanding of both what you offer the employer--and how the position and industry is a match for your skill sets and interests. In other words, you'll make it easy for the employer to hire you.

Furthermore, this strategy will not only help you shine in the interview and "stick the landing"--it will also help you in determining if the position is a best fit for you: If your potential employer isn't interested in evaluating you on the basis of your strengths and interests--or what you do best--perhaps the job isn't a fit for you? This is, perhaps, the most crucial area to for you to evaluate: just as most gymnasts pick an area of excellence (such as the high beam or floor exercises), you want to ensure that the focus of your day job is a type of work that you enjoy--so you can stick the "landing" with regularity and contribute to your team's success.

The 30-Second Relevance Test

A common rule of thumb for the job search: expect your prospective employer to spend 30 seconds or less reviewing your resume and cover letter!

Here are three 30-second self-reviews that can help develop strategic communications for the application review stage:

Resume:

Print out your resume, fold it in half, then open it back up. Think of the position you seek, and ask yourself the following question:

• Am I providing a short summary of my most relevant skills and experience above the fold?
  If not, consider a reorganization as this will be equivalent to what your prospective employer sees on-screen.
  
  

Cover Letter

Review your material from the employer's perspective. Imagine that the employer, has seven jobs to fill, and has just implemented a new advertising campaign to post positions. (This is a common scenario.)

• Does your letter include information on where you found the company?



• Do you state which position(s) you are interested in and how your experience fits the position requirements?



• Is it easy to tell why you are interested in the company?



• Does your letter make it easy to see your knowledge of the work that the company does?
  

Online Image

"Googling" candidates, evaluating LinkedIn and Facebook profiles, and reviewing website hits are easy ways for employers to conduct candidate research. Does your online presence communicate what employers should know about you?

(Also, is there any information on the web that might hinder your job search?)

One quick tip: Set a Google News Alert to send you an e-mail alert of any web mentions for your name--this helps you monitor your online reputation automatically.