1. Advanced Job Search
2. Communication
3. Documents
4. Getting Interviews
5. Interviewing
6. Research
7. Miscellaneous
8. Tools

Assuring the best possible document has to be a shared task, but ultimately the subject and owner of a document is the one finally responsible. Checking for errors is best done with a series of inspections at separate levels starting with global and going to micro. Even good proofreaders need at least three passes at distinct levels.

Global level: meaning and impact

First read for overall purpose. Does it say what you want it to say? Are the most important items stated clearly and forcefully? Are they prominent and flattering? Does it sell, does it sing?

The writing of a professional isn't stuffy, it gets the sales point across efficiently. This is persuasive writing; therefore, deprioritize Greco-Roman words with their elaborations on disembodied explanations. This is for you so lose the bureaucratic exactitude and pseudo-officiousness - in favor of good ol' Anglo-Saxon punch, vigor, and verve! See that each point carries its own weight. Calculate the fluff/stuff ratio in every section and eradicate the extraneous.

Check the first visual impression for eye appeal. Best is clear, inviting, with some breathing room. Regarding length; as long as you are saying something important and compelling, keep going, then stop.

Mid-level: section and sentence mechanics

Examine consistent treatment of elements in a section. Sentences should be parallel, which is best done by ear and not by matching "ed"s with "ings". In a resume the presumed subject is "I" and small words like "am" and articles such as "the" and "a" are typically dropped. Current statements can be in present tense.

Micro and character level

Aggressively go after all the niggly little details like spelling, punctuation, and consistency in bullets, and hyphens. Is your phone number correct? Inspect the formatting such as indentations, bold, and capitals. Some people examine a document backwards; reading from the end to the beginning to make sure a phrase isn't missing a word.

AMES' PROOFREADING LAW says that in any one revision you can't correct more than 90-95% of the errors. Documents littered with corrections will have to be proofed again. Other Ames' maxims:

A new day brings a fresh look.

Different people have remarkably diverse perspectives and insights.

1) Ready 2) Fire 3) Aim. - Go with what you've got for now.

Intention › Meaning › Words › Format › Seek Opinions.

1. Advanced Job Search  2. Communication  3. Documents  4. Getting Interviews  5. Interviewing  6. Research  7. Miscellaneous  8. Tools