Some Thanks and Props for Derena!

Here's some text from Derena Cedeno's blog for the Lancaster CSB Job Seekers.  lt's great advice and, if you know her, vintage Derena!

The smallest things can make or break your job search

Case in point (no pun intended) - the exclamation point (!).  Yes...this very excited piece of punctuation can do you more harm then good.

In today's Lancaster newspaper, Max Messmer provides some words of wisdom about this overused mark in his weekly article Resumania.

Says Max, "I've noticed recently that an increasing number of job candidates are over using exclamation points." 

Exclamation points are generally considered inappropriate for business documents such as cover letters and resumes.  Max goes on to further advise that while "employers seek highly motivated people you shouldnt rely on exclamation points to highlight your passion for your profession."  He adds, "Many employers will view this as amatuerish."  

I agree.  This is why, if you have had the profound pleasure  of having me proofread your documents, I have advised you to omit this overused critter from your documents.

So...express your enthusiasm and interest in the job through your WORDS, not with excitable punctuation.  If you are geniunly interested and passionate about what you are doing, you dont need this guy (!) as a crutch.

 

Certainly, this exclamation craze has some roots in text messaging and emails and blogging, which are all less formal means of communication than resumes, cover letters, or other business correspondence (so I get a little free reign to use exclamation points here!!!!!!!). Nonetheless, you need to be able to "code switch" and change your writing or speaking language and style to fit the situation.  Effective communicators do this all the time, and you can, too.  It's just a matter of paying attention to details.

 

Thanks for the heads up, Derena!