There is a better way to ensure clear, effective, error-free prose—but it requires that you see proofreading as a vital step in your application process, rather than an afterthought.
The word "proofread" is a verb, and it's time to start treating it like one. To do so, you will need to take action by reading for errors in grammar, spelling, and style. If you don't know where to begin, consider the following:
1. Give yourself time. All the good intentions in the world can’t make up for extra time with your work. Budget time to proofread into your application process. When you give yourself at least 24 hours away from your work, you will be able to see your errors more clearly.
2. Change your reading experience. Print your work out and correct it by hand. You will be more likely to read slowly and carefully, which is the best way to catch mistakes.
3. Read your work out loud. Your ears will catch mistakes that your eyes might miss if you read silently to yourself.
4. Read more than once. One pass isn’t enough to catch every mistake. This is your first impression, and it’s worth your time to make sure that it's a good one.
5. Read for a specific job. Your resume and cover letter will change for each job you pursue. Make sure to catch any details that don’t pertain to the job you're applying for, and check your word choice to ensure it targets the job profile you're actively seeking.
6. Check for formatting. Are you consistent? Are there places where your spacing, layout, or font choices miss the mark?
7. Check names—your name, the name of the company, the person you are trying to convince. Misspelling or misidentifying someone is a costly, careless mistake.
8. Use a style guide to check for common grammar errors. If you don’t know when to use a comma, check your instincts by using the Purdue OWL General Writing resource, which boasts free punctuation and grammar sections.
We refer to applying for a job as a “process" because there are several phases required to see it through to completion. You will change your job search for the better if you see proofreading for what it is: a valuable step in that process, and a phase that should not be overlooked.