It can be challenging to stand out from the crowd as someone with the potential for advancement and more responsibility, especially in a large organization. This lack of notice may happen even though you possess all the qualities typically needed for upward mobility and career success: the right degree, significant experience, exceptional talent at your core job, and excellent interpersonal skills. Part of the problem may be that many of your coworkers also have comparable attributes. As a result, the higher-ups just don’t seem to notice you. What can you do?
Consider a proposition I share with students, employees, and others looking to advance their careers:
The writing skills of most people today are generally so poor that, to get noticed, all you have to do is write reasonably well.
Don’t panic! Notice the words “reasonably well.” You do not have to be the Ernest Hemingway or J.K. Rowling of your workplace.
It’s no secret that in today’s world of quick texts, social media, and other incredibly informal communication, professional writing as a skill has suffered. Many schools and colleges have contributed to this unfortunate trend by overlooking poor writing by students and not holding them to even basic standards of acceptability. I have seen job applicants with master’s degrees who could not compose a coherent paragraph. Sadly, I am not alone in this observation. Many colleagues and college professors acknowledge that they also have seen the writing skills of job applicants and incoming classes of students only get worse with each passing year.
The situation has become so bad in the corporate world that, according to an article in Inc. by Kaleigh Moore, many companies have had to resort to remedial writing training for their employees.
Have you noticed? Poor writing seems to show up everywhere.
A look at supposedly professional websites, commercials, and even storefront signage will frequently reveal a plethora of misspellings, incorrect grammar, and other such errors. My all-time favorite goof is the advertisement for an auto repair shop that offers to be “your alternative to honest and trustworthy service.” Uh, wait a minute. Shouldn’t that be your alternative “for” honest and trustworthy service? As stated, the ad actually suggests you take your vehicle to them if you don’t want it serviced by an honest and trustworthy facility!
How many emails do you receive tainted with poor wording or incorrect grammar? How about PowerPoint presentations with obvious errors for all to see on a big screen? At times, you might have even cringed and felt embarrassed for the sender or presenter. Surprisingly, some of these fumbles may have come from those higher up the food chain who should know better. Or at least you would think they should.
Here’s another reason why this concern about writing so important. Remember that your writing is a reflection of you. It is impossible to know exactly where your writing will end up or who in the organizational hierarchy may eventually see it. Since not everyone may personally know you or be aware of your skill level, for them, your writing serves as a proxy indicator of your overall competence. If your writing comes across as incompetent or unprofessional, readers will assume you fit that description as well.
Again, as I originally proposed, in a world teeming with atrocious and unprofessional writing, quality content will shine and be readily noticed.
Is it possible your own writing skills could use some improvement? Here are a few suggestions to help your communications and writing look their best: Continue reading
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