Grammar is certainly worth taking very seriously when you submit a job application (not that this should come as a surprise to anyone).
We're in the process of hiring someone for a purely technical programming position in my office, and I have veto power over any applicant due to how closely I'll need them to work with me. I've immediately discarded every resume containing significant grammar or spelling mistakes (in either the cover letter or resume itself), with absolutely no regard for the technical skills or experience that might also be contained therein. I know that others will do the same. Be forewarned. Being in a technical profession is still no excuse for bad communication skills.
I've been involved in hiring as well, and it's not just technical professions that lack grammar and spelling skills - you'd be amazed how many journalist position applications contain basic errors.
The people that get in the habit of using (or at least trying to use) correct English are the ones who tend to be able to when they WANT to use correct English. It's like anything else - if you don't practice and refine it, your ability just goes backwards.
What do you consider "significant"? In academia a comma splice is a mortal sin, but often I think this is an unfair judgment. I don't consider a grammatical error to be significant unless it causes ambiguity. If it doesn't hinder reading comprehension, it's okay in my book, as that is the only purpose of language in the first place: clear communication. Of course, if there is a significant amount of insignificant errors, this can slow down the reader to the point where it is unproductive, so that should be considered, too (i.e. an entire paragraph lacking proper capitalization and spelling versus part of a sentence).
Edit: I posted this before Waltz's response, but I'd be interested to hear from both of you.
Certain minor errors can border on being stylistic, or on a willingness to sound somewhat personal and informal. I certainly wouldn't throw anything out for something of that nature, nor for comma misplacement or other non-textbook uses of punctuation. I suppose what I mean by significant is any mistake (or series of minor mistakes) that shows a lack of professionalism or an awkwardness with written communication. If someone cannot even write clearly and present themselves professionally in a cover letter -- a scenario in which you have all the time in the world to edit and perfect -- I have little confidence that they'll be able to make themselves clear in meetings and close discussions.
Twitter is a good place to throw your nonsense. Wii FC: 8378 9716 1696 8633 || "How can mushrooms give you extra life? Get the green ones." -
What do you consider "significant"? In academia a comma splice is a mortal sin, but often I think this is an unfair judgment. I don't consider a grammatical error to be significant unless it causes ambiguity. If it doesn't hinder reading comprehension, it's okay in my book, as that is the only purpose of language in the first place: clear communication. Of course, if there is a significant amount of insignificant errors, this can slow down the reader to the point where it is unproductive, so that should be considered, too (i.e. an entire paragraph lacking proper capitalization and spelling versus part of a sentence).
Edit: I posted this before Waltz's response, but I'd be interested to hear from both of you.
For obvious reasons, we don't ask anyone in for an interview if there's a single spelling or grammar error in the resume. By trade, journalists have to be able to write very accurately and quickly. If they can't get a resume right, which they have weeks to prepare, they're not going to do their jobs properly.
We all make mistakes when we're writing to strict deadlines - that's why we have at least two people read what we write before it hits the site - but we need to know the person we're hiring at least knows every last rule in the book.
That said, our graphics designer (who I didn't hire) would be the first to admit his written English is atrocious. I image his resume got through with the odd mistake.
Eh, so many of things can be attributed to simple typos. I know I've mixed up then and than, their and there - not because I don't know the difference, but because I'm not thinking while I type and it goes by unnoticed.
However, there is one that bothers me that is most certainly not a typo. I could care less whether or not people use the correct phrase "I couldn't care less." See what I did there?
@AlexSays: i know i read this thread and immediately vowed to change my non-capitalizing, 'net-speak-using, non-full-stopping ways oh, wait, no i didn't, lol
BEST THREAD EVER future of NL >:3
[16:43] James: I should learn these site rules more clearly
[16:44] LztheBlehBird: James doesn't know the rules? For shame!!!
@AlexSays: i know i read this thread and immediately vowed to change my non-capitalizing, 'net-speak-using, non-full-stopping ways oh, wait, no i didn't, lol
You did, however, omit your trademark! :3
Twitter is a good place to throw your nonsense. Wii FC: 8378 9716 1696 8633 || "How can mushrooms give you extra life? Get the green ones." -
@warioswoods: we've already been over the :3 in this thread; i figured it'd'a been overkill speaking of which, w00t for awesome contractions that come directly from the manner in which i speak irl :3
BEST THREAD EVER future of NL >:3
[16:43] James: I should learn these site rules more clearly
[16:44] LztheBlehBird: James doesn't know the rules? For shame!!!
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Topic: Grammatical Grievances
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