Business Writing Is....

By: Christina M. Deck

Think carefully about the last email you wrote a friend. Did you use proper grammar or capitalization? Did you use periods, commas, semi colons, question marks? Did you allow those bad habits from texting to creep into your professional writing correspondence?

Studies have shown poor writing skills can be a deal breaker at work during a job search.  Remember that little email is more important than you think.  I received an email last week and it read, " I appreciate you meetin with me about the job situacion and the curent opening."

I thought is this what schools are teaching our young people? Really? What happened to the generation below me? I did not think I was that old and did not realize young people were not taking things as seriously as I was when I was 22. 

Human resource managers are taking note of your good writing skills more than ever.  If you think you are being evaluated based on your resume and cover letter only, you better think back to the very first email you sent a potential manager. Business Writing Is...

- Purposeful. It solves problems and conveys information.
You will have a definite purpose to fulfill in each message

- Economical. It is concise.
You will present ideas clearly and concisely.  Length is not rewarded.
- Reader oriented. It focuses on the receiver, not the sender.
You will concentrate on looking at a problem from the reader's perspective instead of seeing it from your own.

The writing process involves researching, organizing and composing.  First, before writing, a business person must collect through research all of the needed information.  The gathered information helps the writer shape the message to the receiver's need for knowledge or action.

No smart business savvy person would begin writing a message without collecting all the needed information.  Research is necessary before you begin the writing process, as information collection shapes the message.

Also, organize your thoughts cohesively before you start clicking away on the keyboard.  Do not rely solely on spell checker, have another person edit your work.  Do not use BUZZ WORDS.  I strongly encourage intelligent writing.  Read good novels and literary works. This does not mean reading the latest smut by US Weekly. 

Last but not least! PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Write as much as you can and if you still have trouble, pick up the phone and call me.