Grammar Archives - Page 2 of 2 - The Voice of Job Seekers

2 More Online Resources To Help Proofread Resumes

I have reviewed a number of resources to help proofread resumes or any job search document such as cover letters or email. Since typos, grammar, and spelling can decide your chances of nabbing an interview and positively branding yourself, these tools will bring you closer to perfection.

I have found 2 other resources both online that offers more choices to help you proofread any document, including your resume. Although I recommend finding someone who proofreads well, both of these could be used in conjunction with two keen and knowledgeable eyes:

PaperRater.com

Paper Rater is a FREE resource for proofreading various types of writing such as research, article drafts, and casual. It is unique because of how you can set up the proofreading guidelines according to grade level from 1st to post doctoral. It allows you to set a plagiarism setting to determine originality. There is a box for citations but overall does not say what standard such as APA or MLA styles are used.

I gave it a go with a couple of blog posts that I completed for future additions. I have checked the box for 10th grade just to see if there was a suggestion or a difference maker. The post was about 500 words long, no citations or links at the time, with and without checking the originality checker. Although the originality took longer, it was hardly noticeable.

Fortunately, I had very few errors, and in fact, picked up and highlighted the word “bodacious (shout out to Snuffy Smith).” Another interesting thing that may help some is how the grade level works for vocabulary. The checker states that my “vocabulary sophistication” was below my grade level (again this was the 10th grade measure), and that I should use more sophisticated words for clarity.

PaperRater is entirely free now and is entertaining adding a Premium service. This service could be improved by adding a résumé formatted checker that would embrace the unique Word formatting.

Previous Posts about editing and proofreading:

Five Resources to Help Correct Resume Grammar Errors

Three More Resources to Help Correct Resume Grammar Errors Part 2

3 More Resources to Help Proofread Your Resume

Intelligent Editing

Perfect It 2

PerfectIt 2 is allows you to test drive it for 30 days without giving your payment information. Like Grammarly (although not as expensive) charges for regular use ($49). Unlike Grammarly and many others, you can download the trial. I tested it on a client’s resume and was more detailed than I thought. As stated below, it will check the complete document first removing comments and Word corrections:

Then it will note changes in 23 different places. Then it will list the suggestions and asks you permission for the suggested changes.

Once the changes take place a report is produced of corrections PerfectIt made as seen below:

Overall, PerfectIt corrects in much detail. The cost of a year membership, I think its one of the great bargains you can find.

Are there suggestions that I didn’t think of. What are yours? Please comment below.

image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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

3 More Resources to Help to Correct Resume Grammar Errors

Most people want help to correct resume grammar errors. Last month, many people liked part 1 of my recommendations of resources helpful for proofreading to find, and correct grammar errors. A resume must be typo-free, and maintain perfect grammar structure. It’s hard to find someone who has a great eye for errors, so here are some more tools to help achieve (or at least closer to) an errorless document.

Read: Five Resources to Help Correct Resume Grammar Errors

Purdue Owl

Purdue Owl, run by Purdue University offers job seekers and students a versatile, but free tool. The OWL is largely self-directed, and useful as a practical and easy grammar checker. It offers the rules for formal writing, and covers an extensive range (if not complete) of grammar rules. I absolutely love that OWL provides Job Search writing advice with sections on writing for job applications, resumes, and curriculum vitae.

OWL recently launched a blog called “grammar gang, ” for anyone including job seekers can find tools, but the blog is not as useful and essential as the flagship Purdue Owl site. Note that the main site also teaches you how to fish (grammatically speaking) by including exercises to help you improve sentence creation, structure, and other common grammar disorders.

CAMBRIDGE DICTIONARIES ONLINE

Any time you are writing important documents, a dictionary and thesaurus is a necessity. If you don’t have hardback or paperback versions, then consider the online version. What I love about this helper are the choices of American English, British English, and Business English. I played around with the dictionary is spelling the British version of organized o-r-g-a-n-i-s-e-d, and the word appeared:

organize verb ( ARRANGE )

(UK usually organise) /ˈɔː.gən.aɪz//ˈɔːr-/ [T]

Definition to make arrangements for something to happen

They organized a meeting between the teachers and students.

[+ to infinitive] UK She had organized a car to meet me at the airport.

(Definition of organize verb (ARRANGE) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

I was quite happy that the checker differentiated intuitively between the British and American versions without stalling or returning an error.

Cambridge mobile app versions are predominately for iPhone and iPad users. Cambridge has separate apps for the dictionary, grammar, challenges, and other choices for “…a small price.”

The Grammar Blue Book

This is a site I stumbled on accidentally and appears competent compared to the Purdue Owl site. It’s comparable because of the way it provides quizzes to help you develop your grammar acumen, and its practical grammar applications for different types of writing such as resumes, and cover letters. The Grammar Blue Book site offers a paid subscription version, and of course, a book. It does not have a lot of interactive tools, but it provides guidance detailed enough to make a difference.

Finally, there are some traditional strategies that cannot be replaced. I try different strategies, and different eyes to accomplish this tedious task. I miss words and forget how many people I am talking to just like everyone. There are just a few of us who throw caution to the wind, and send our first draft resume. Get the best help to correct resume grammar errors!

The best man made proofread strategies are not new:

Read out loud
Read backwards
Print out what you created
Proofread small paragraphs at a time
Proofread over several days, several times each day
Two additional sets of eyes, preferably English-degreed individuals

Do you have other suggestions? Do you need help to correct resume grammar errors? Do you disagree? Please comment below.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Five Resources to Help Correct Resume Grammar Errors

It is critical to correct all résumé grammar errors. Résumés, cover letters, or any job-related need perpetual scrutiny to ensure an error-free document. The below resources can help anyone achieve perfection, or at least close to it.

Grammarly.com

Grammarly is an online grammar corrector that will identify more than 150 common errors if you purchase a paid subscription. Out of the many online grammar checkers, this checker will alert the writer to plagiarism issues. Grammarly offers detailed explanations of why corrections may need to be made, plus examples to compare. I had a chance to try the paid subscription version and found it to be worth the money (ok, I was privvy’d and received an exclusive deal to try it). It catches your usual “your and you’re,” “co-workers and coworkers,” and “it’s and its” errors. I did not expect it to offer extensive synonym suggestions, and catch small article errors. Grammarly sees bullet points as errors and is perfect for bloggers who won’t have to worry about Microsoft codes from Grammarly. I was also pleasantly surprised that it caught so many passive voice phrases. I consider it a superb tool for any writer, especially for writing a résumé.

Polishmywriting.com (After The Deadline)

After The Deadline is advantageous for shorter bits of writing, and not specifically for résumé writing. Although, it would be a strong complement to using any grammar and spell check, especially in catching passive voice errors. The limited correction suggestions are somewhat comparable to Word (Oh, the check puts accents on résumé. Just saying!).

The other issue in using this checker is the word suggestions for synonyms.

In this case, “identify” was underlined and ATD offered synonym replacements: find, name, and show. I suppose if you want additional simplicity in your writing it’s helpful, but for resumes may be a hindrance for keyword usage. I would still recommend it as a way to have a second pair of eyes you normally wouldn’t have.

The Elements of Résumé Style by Scott Bennett

Many résumé writers use this constantly, and I take it almost everywhere I go. I haven’t memorized all the latest trends or practices, and this book helps as a quick reference. It contains grammar usage rules, lists of action verbs, statements, position descriptions, and words and phrases to avoid.

This week, another résumé writer that I knew asked me an opinion on a résumé of the use of italics. I verified in Mr. Bennett’s book that italics is not a correct résumé practice unless you are citing a publication. Some résumé writers whine about how résumés are not true formal writing, as the rules suggests. The truth is that résumés lean towards, if not epitomize, formal writing rules. This book helps the writer hit the mark.

Strunk and White: The Elements of Style

This book is another travel companion I take anywhere that I work away from home. Most people who struggle with condensing sentences should skip right to the “Elementary Principles of Composition” chapter. This gives you the down and dirty in trimming the excess and unnecessary words. I’ll admit it is not an easy read, which is why studying it is futile.

This book can help concisely write highly technical passages. Although technical descriptions are lengthier than ordinary descriptions, the reader doesn’t need a book to read.

Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

I recommend this publication because it is an entertaining version of Strunk & White with a palatable presentation. You can download her podcast tips on iTunes (there are at least 100 tips currently loaded). If you have high and middle school age children, they can benefit from listening to the podcasts.

The last three publications are small books you can carry around and are less than $10 through Amazon. You can find them at the library if you don’t want to purchase them, although I recommend buying each of them.

Oh Yeah, about the giveaway

Congratulations to Marlene Garth in winning a copy of the The 11 Laws of Likability by Michelle Tillis Lederman. However, I HAVE ANOTHER COPY to giveaway. You can win a copy by simply doing one of three things.

You can read my review of the book, and either comment on the review link, Re-Tweet the review link and add @MarkADyson, or post the review link on Facebook and tag me at Facebook.com/Mark.A.Dyson.

I would like to announce a new winner on Thursday’s post, so good luck to all. It is a valuable book for job seekers in expanding one’s thinking about networking for business and jobs. Being “liked” is the center of all successful transactions and partnerships, and Michelle offers workable strategies to achieve “likability.”