Mark Anthony Dyson, Author at The Voice of Job Seekers

3 More Resources to Help Proofread Your Resume

Once again, I found additional resources to help anyone proofread his or her writing anything career related (or anything at all). Every communication leaves an impression these days and I hate to see people lose out on opportunities because spelling or grammar! So to help you proofread your resume, I scoured the web and found three more tools you can consider using.

Roadtogrammar.com

This site provides 365 categories of quizzes. Some of the categories are slightly redundant but this tool provides simple quizzes to help you with weaknesses in grammar.

I took the adverb test and scored 14 of 15. Some are more challenging than others, and while it doesn’t do the grammar check for you, a good way of reviving some of the basics learned in school and proofread your resume and other documents in the first draft. There are games and additional challenges to at least help you make a step forward improving your grammar.

Gingersoftware.com

This site is a diamond in the ruff in the scope of Internet tools. It is F-R-E-E.

I downloaded the software which works well with Word, Firefox, Chrome, and Outlook. I tried it with Word (I use 2010, but works with 2003) by entering part of this post. The Ginger box has a small box that appears at the top of the page that says F2 in green, which instructs you to highlight the sentence, paragraph, or complete paper and press F2. I chose a paragraph and Voila! The above graphic appears offering a corrected sentence.

This app does not detect the passive voice phrases. For casual notes, it wouldn’t matter, but for your résumé, too much passive voice makes you sound as if you avoid responsibility (Heeehe!). Just kidding. It’s not a good look.

For you bloggers out there using Windows Live…Sorry! It doesn’t work there but it will work with your Outlook. So if you are writing business letters or letters to employers, this will check your spelling and grammar. This is one of the best free proofreading tools I’ve tried so far.+ Add New Category

Interested in what I reviewed last fall? Here are the two articles I previously written you can check out:

Five Resources to Help Correct Resume Grammar Errors

Three More Resources to Help Correct Resume Grammar Errors Part 2

Spellboy.com

This site, unlike the others that I have reviewed, is strictly a spell check site with a couple of unique features. On the right, it has several sections that the first will check your blog (if you have one) for spelling errors. Of course, I had to try THIS BLOG and the search found 16 errors. Words like uncategorized, javascript, and jobseeker (which I purposely spell the way I do at times). Once I spelled attributes, a-t-r-r-i-b-u-t-e-s, but it does not say which article. I have 97 articles before today, no sleep loss tonight.

The other two interesting boxes feature that the app can be present on your iGoogle page or Chrome extension (by the way, all three apps mentioned today have Chrome extensions). The other suggests that it has a mobile app. I checked my Android phone, no luck.

Please let us know if it is on the iPhone in the comment section.

There is no excuse now to not proofread any written material you author. This will improve your personal brand, and hopefully, produce quality documents. Is this helpful information? What grammar or spelling challenges do you hope to overcome?

Please share in the comment section.

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About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Is Your Social Network Working?

Editor’s note: Sandra Tedford is a regular contributor and founder of WE Talk Today (@WETalkToday). She offers this article as a conviction of hers.

When it comes to making a career move, your online network is your most valuable asset to land your next dream job.

Chances are your connections are just well connected but have the power to help you land your next gig. Your online network is most likely connected to decision makers at companies or are the hiring managers who can help you move your career forward.

Leverage Your Network

Leveraging your online network is sometimes tricky. Sometimes friends either make the best advisors or the worst colleagues. You’ve heard the saying of “never hire a friend”. There’s some truth to the saying, however having friends at the office is invaluable. Your connections can give you the inside scoop on upcoming projects or job openings that may be a good fit for your skill set. Friends can also provide the skinny on the corporate culture and what I like to call “hidden networks” that often influence office politics. Sometimes business people have relationships that transcend the office setting. If you utilize your contacts wisely, they can help you navigate the complex terrain within that organization.

Working Your Network

Here are a few ways to work your online network

Like & Subscribe: Follow the interests of your connections by clicking “like” or subscribing to their page. Pay particularly close attention to organizations your contacts are involved in related to your industry.

Comment on Blogs: Show that you have something to offer by blogging. Blogging is a great way to provide your perspective about your industry. Start commenting on blogs written by people in your network.

Join Groups on LinkedIn: Join the discussion and provide valuable insight. By joining a group, you have the opportunity to increase your visibility in the community. Attend group member’s events offline to show your support. Ask former employers and colleagues for recommendations. Request recommendations from people you’ve worked with on volunteer projects as well. People within your network will see that you are a valuable contributor to any organization.

4. Share information: Notify your network of events and interesting news stories. Ask people in your network to reciprocate. People love getting and sharing information about events.

Staying plugged into your network online and increasing your exposure will give you an edge with those who the decision makers at the companies you’re interested in working.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Are You Chasing Away Future Employers?

Job seekers must practices awareness of what they say about current or future employers while searching. Anyone despite looks, wardrobe, or how casual anyone can have a major influence in your career. Let me tell you two stories illustrating this point.

My theatre professor was quite eccentric. He was very much into taking risks, and liked students to call him “Marvin.” I liked him, and gave me opportunity to do my thing in class, although I was the least talented actor. His introduction to us was acting like us, while sitting among us while the rest of speculated.

“He’s fifteen minutes late!”

“Who is this guy?”

“What does he look like?”

One person was more concern about the waste of money he was paying for the class (after all, the semester was only 16 weeks long).

Fortunately, none of us slandered him or said anything inappropriate but to think that the opportunity was there. Marvin bearded, long thin build, and looked like Kenny Loggins (add round spectacles and 20 pounds less).

And although I was the least talented in the class, he offered me a semester scholarship 100% fully paid!

The next story demonstrates what could happen if he or she is publicly negative about an employer. Below is a story as it was told to me by a friend who is a CEO of a successful small business:

“…talking about your old boss especially with people you don’t know will kill your job chances. Went out with friends, woman joined us and talked trash about her current boss. That trash talker had filled out an application for an opening we currently have at our company. Her application was great. Had planned to meet with her to actually offer her the job today! Emailed her last night and canceled the interview. She still doesn’t know I was in that group of ladies at the lunch.”

The lessons are obvious, but just so that you have perspective:

If research was done by soon-to-be jilted job seeker, she would have found a Linked In profile picture and a profile.
Self-control is the best control of your career chances. Know your role, shut your mouth (shout out to The Rock!).
You gain nothing by publicly trash talking any employer. You don’t know who is listening.

Did you ever experience or know someone who experienced a smack down as a result of bad mouthing an employer? If you have, please share.