Can You Wear Some Deodorant? and Other Awkward Cubicle Conversations

Imagine you’re hard at work on a report that’s due by the end of the day. It’s been a busy week so far, and you’ve got a long way to go, so you need to avoid distractions. Unfortunately, your eyes are watering and your nose is twitching because the guy in the next cube, the one who bikes ten miles to work every day, is . . . aromatic. And not in a pleasant way.

It’s time to either fill your cube to the brim with potpourri or confront Joe Cyclist. Although the latter is the more effective option, this is a sensitive topic you’re broaching. You’ll have to find a way to request odor relief that’s somewhere between a too-subtle “Hmm, what’s that smell?” and a too brutal “Dude, your stench is rank!”

When tackling delicate subjects, setting aside harsh criticism in favor of precise, tactful language can mean the difference between straining a workplace relationship and getting results. Our suggested dialogs for potentially awkward workplace scenarios should help keep your office environment more liveable, and your relationships with your colleagues more comfortable.

Situation #1: Smell me! I work out.

Your colleague is an active person. You get it. Everyone gets it, because being in his vicinity means coping with aromas reminiscent of the inside of your high school gym locker. You’ve tried dropping subtle hints, but they’re not working.

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What to say

First, make sure the conversation is private. You might also consider talking at the end of the day, so your colleague doesn’t have to spend hours feeling self-conscious. Assure the person that you like and respect him before tackling the odor issue.

“I think it’s awesome that you exercise every day before work. I admire how motivated you are to stay healthy.”

Don’t make accusations. Be kind but not condescending. Your colleague will likely feel embarrassed no matter what you say, but you can soften the impact by downplaying the severity and assuming they practice good hygiene. Admit the topic is awkward for you, too.

“I’m a little uncomfortable bringing this up, because I’m sure you shower every day, but sometimes I notice a strong odor after you’ve had a particularly strenuous workout. I just want to make you aware so you can decide on the best way to deal with it.”

Situation #2: The familial fundraiser

You cringe when you see one of them coming down the hall with a catalog and an order sheet in hand. These coworkers have kids in school, and every time you turn around they’re participating in one fundraiser or another. You don’t need any more wrapping paper, overpriced chocolates, cheese, sausage, or useless trinkets, thanks.

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What to say

You might start by empathizing with the seller’s plight. After all, your colleague probably isn’t any more thrilled about having to solicit than you are about being solicited.

“Wow, looks like it’s that time of year again! Schools and organizations sure pile on the fundraisers.”

Now that you’ve acknowledged that the fundraiser struggle is real, it’s best to get right to the no-thank-you. Don’t browse through the sales materials, don’t ask what little Susie is selling, just politely decline.

“I get swamped with these requests from colleagues, friends, and neighbors. I’ve bought my share of things I didn’t really need in the past, so this year I’ve decided I’m not going to buy from fundraisers anymore. Thanks for understanding.”

Some workplaces have policies against selling anything in the office. If you’re aware of such a policy, feel free to tactfully bring it up.

“I remember seeing an HR policy about fundraising in the office. Do you think you should look into that so you don’t accidentally stir up trouble?”

If you’d really like to do something nice, ask if there’s somewhere you can make a donation without buying anything you don’t need. (Odds are good your colleague won’t know and you’ll be off the hook either way.)

“I don’t really need anything, but I’d like to help out. Is there a way for me to make a cash donation instead of a purchase?”

Situation #3: What’s yours is mine

Your cubicle may be fairly open, and your stuff may be out in the world for all to see, but that doesn’t make it any less your stuff. Not only is it irritating when someone “borrows” your things, it can even make you less productive.

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What to say

You may want to shout “Paws off my stuff!” but there’s a more tactful (if less emotionally satisfying) way to handle this—just ask.

“Please don’t take things from my desk without asking. I’m counting on them being here, and it makes it harder for me to get things done when I have to track down my supplies.”

If your colleague brushes off your request or insists it’s no big deal, you may have to push a little harder.

“Just humor me on this. It really bothers me when my things go missing.”

Situation #4: The chatty one

Some people like to talk. A lot. And when they want to shoot the breeze with you throughout the workday, it can put a serious dent in your ability to get things done.

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What to say

You have a right to work time free from unnecessary interruptions, so ask for it directly. Just focus the conversation on your needs rather than your colleague’s behavior.

“I have a lot of trouble concentrating sometimes, and interruptions really take me out of the flow when I’m working. Could we save chit-chat for when we’re off the clock?”

When to consult HR

If your problem colleague is also your supervisor, or anyone higher up the hierarchy ladder than you, or if you don’t have a particularly close or amicable working relationship, it’s wise to let someone else do the talking. In fact, in any of these situations, if you don’t feel you can approach the conversation yourself in a way that will resolve conflict rather than create more, ask your boss or the human resources department for help.

8 Professions That Write More Than You Think

“How will I need this in the real world?” high school students often ask. Everyone knows that journalists and authors write for a living. But are effective writing skills necessary for other careers? You will be surprised; some professions use writing more than you think!

Sales and Marketing

Writing can influence people to try a new product or remain loyal to a brand. Effective sales copy should be concise, credible, and relevant to the customer. Sales associates often rely on emails to answer client’s questions about the service or product they are selling. When they do, they must strike the right balance between persuasion and coercion to make the customer want to buy. Persuasive writing is also an essential component of marketing. It’s no coincidence that the jingles featured in television and radio get stuck in your mind. Marketing executives have to determine who will use products to produce compelling advertisements in order. Then, they carefully craft sales copy, ads, and jingles to appeal to their target audience.

Human Resources

One of the primary functions of the human resources department is to fill open positions. The job description is a crucial element in attracting suitable applicants. HR has to represent the goals and working environment of the company accurately, or disillusioned employees might quit soon after they’re hired. Second, the job description has to identify job tasks so that applicants know whether they qualify or not. Finally, HR usually documents the results of interviews for consideration in the hiring process.

Health Care

Every day, doctors give written instructions to patients about diet, exercise, or medication. Needless to say, directions should be unambiguous because health care writing can be a life or death matter. For example, emergency room patients are often disoriented, medicated, or in pain. What a worthy challenge it is for busy doctors to write simple, understandable discharge instructions in such an environment! Physicians also share information with each other and the public. They use SOAP notes to document notes on a patient’s chart. SOAP is an acronym that stands for the four parts of the message—subjective, objective, assessment, and plan. Doctors might publish the findings of a case study or research project in a medical journal. To do so successfully, they will have to support their research with in-text citations and references using one of the style guides recognized by medical institutions, such as the American Psychological Association (APA).

Customer Service

What’s the difference between a disgruntled and a satisfied customer? For customer service representatives, it may be how well they handle and email or chat exchange. Customer support technicians have to ask probing questions to find out what the issue is. They have to show empathy while offering practical advice. You may notice that some reps used “canned” responses in live chat. They must be experts at answering quickly and juggling multiple clients at the same time! For simple issues, they might cut-and-paste a response, perhaps tweaking it a little to adjust for the specific details of your case.

Education

Students aren’t the only ones doing homework. Educators write lesson plans each week, describing the objectives of the class, the activities, and the expected outcomes. Many of them write their assessments, such as worksheets, quizzes, and tests. At the university level, professors frequently publish research studies, essays, or other writing in academic journals. Don’t forget that teachers are learners too. Professional development is mandatory, and it frequently involves a writing requirement, especially if it is graduate-level study.

Law Enforcement

After catching the bad guys, police officers generate written reports that become a part of the case record. They must be meticulous, ensuring that all the documented facts are accurate. A police report may become evidence in a trial or the basis of a news report. If the report is faulty, a perpetrator could escape justice. Similarly, forensic science technicians are also responsible for reporting evidence in written reports. The record may include a conclusion of how a victim died based on their analyses. Criminologists are sociologists who study the causes, effects, and social impact of criminal behavior. With a goal of predicting and discouraging crime, they analyze data and present it in proposals which may be used to develop laws and policies.

Construction

Construction bids are proposals from contractors or companies for a particular job. Because the contractors are competing against each other, they attempt to sell themselves as the most qualified builder at the best budget. They estimate the timeframe and budget based on drawings and specifications provided by the project’s coordinator. A successful proposal results in a job, but contractors must use sound judgment. If the final expenses significantly exceed the budget, the contractor damages his reputation and risks legal charges if managers suspect him of intentionally underestimating the cost of materials or the time necessary to complete the project.

Social Work

When applying for social services or funding on behalf of a client, social workers must justify their recommendations with notes from observations and relevant research. Thus, case notes and reports from the field influence weighty decisions, such as whether a family qualifies to adopt a child. Social work students begin honing writing skills before they enter the profession. They write term papers explaining an issue and often support their opinions using published research. Literature reviews summarize, classify, and evaluate theories and published research available about a topic.

The next time a high school student asks whether writing matters in the real world, ask what career she wants to pursue. From law enforcement officer to customer service rep, most professions will require effective writing skills.

How do you use writing in your occupation? Let us know in the comments section of this post.

4 Reasons You Should Form a Proofreading Habit

Even rats have habits. MIT professor Ann Graybiel trained rats to run a T-shaped maze. First, Graybiel’s team rewarded the rats for turning right or left based on a tone. Even after the researchers stopped giving treats, they found that the rats still responded to the sounds as if by habit. The human brain forms habits too, so why not make them rewarding ones? Here are four reasons why proofreading should be a habit you pursue.

Typos make you seem angry.

Harvard Business School doctoral candidate Andrew Brodsky says that unintentional typos are “a window into our emotions.” In his experiment, he presented subjects with angry messages. Subjects perceived the senders of angry messages containing typos as more enraged than the senders of mistake-free notes. Why do typos make emotions seem more intense? Perhaps because humans are always looking for cues in face-to-face communication. The expression in your eyes or your body language lets others know how you are feeling. In written communication, readers only have the words on the page. They may assume that typos mean a powerful emotion distracted you. It’s strong motivation to review your messages before you send them. Oh, and use emoticons.

Typos land you on TV, but not in a good way.

Your bizarre texting typos might appear on the Ellen Show. In a part she calls Clumsy Thumbsy, Ellen DeGeneres ridicules the nonsensical guesses of the autocorrect feature built into smartphones. Autocorrect is supposed to save you time, but it doesn’t always know what you are trying to say. Other errors might simply be the result of ignorance. Text messaging has its own lingo, so only use abbreviations and phrases that you understand. Did you hear about the woman who thought LOL meant “lots of love”? Grieving family members who received her message didn’t understand why the death of a family member was laugh-out-loud funny.

Typos can cost you millions.

One S cost Companies House an estimated £8.8 million, or about $12 million. Companies House is a British government agency that registers businesses throughout the United Kingdom. They mistakenly recorded that Taylor & Sons Ltd was shutting down its operations. Unfortunately, the company that was going out of business was Taylor & Son, a completely different enterprise. A few days later, Companies House made the correction, but the damage was already done. Thanks to the Internet, the news spread like wildfire. The 124-year-old Welsh engineering company was closing! Suppliers withdrew credit and canceled orders. It didn’t help that the managing director was on vacation when the mistake occurred; clients thought he was trying to run and hide. In short, it was a disaster for Taylor & Sons. They sued Companies House and won.

Typos can make you think your whole childhood was a lie.

Spinach is good for you, but it’s not going to give you superstrength. It turns out that the creators of the Popeye cartoon consulted an 1870s German study to find out how much iron spinach contains. Because the printers placed the decimal point one space too far to the right, the published research claimed that the leafy greens had ten times as much iron as they actually contain. Had it not been for that study, Popeye might have gotten his power boost from watermelon, dark chocolate, or lima beans—foods that contain as much or more iron than spinach does.

The reward at the end of the rats’ maze wasn’t spinach, or they might not have been excited to receive it. They enjoyed sugar water and chocolate milk. The rewards for a mistake-free piece of writing are even sweeter than those treats. You won’t get sued for millions. You won’t need to endure public ridicule. You won’t seem angrier than you really are. You won’t mislead an entire generation of children. Aren’t these reasons enough to form a proofreading habit?

What’s the Difference Between Dashes and Hyphens?

A hyphen (-) is a punctuation mark that’s used to join words or parts of words. It’s not interchangeable with other types of dashes.

A dash is longer than a hyphen and is commonly used to indicate a range or a pause. The most common types of dashes are the en dash (–) and the em dash (—).

When to Use Hyphens

Some compound words, such as self-restraint are hyphenated. Numbers between twenty-five and ninety-nine should also be hyphenated when they’re spelled out. But when you’re not sure whether a compound word should have a hyphen or not, check a dictionary or style guide. Hyphenated words tend to become closed compounds (single words with no hyphens) over time. Email instead of e-mail, for example, is increasingly common.

You should also use a hyphen with a compound modifier before a noun. A compound modifier (also called a phrasal adjective) is made up of two or more words that must be understood as a unit. For example, “a big, bright hotel” does not contain a compound modifier because big and bright don’t form a unit of meaning. But “a dog-friendly hotel” does contain a compound modifier; unless you understand “dog-friendly” as a unit of meaning, the phrase doesn’t make sense. The hyphen shows the reader that the words should be taken together as a descriptor for the noun. Most often, compound modifiers are made up of an adjective plus a noun or participle. They’re also commonly composed of a noun plus a gerund.

a dog-friendly hotel closed-door meetings a book-loving student an expensive, flower-filled vase (this means that the vase is expensive) an expensive-flower-filled vase (this means that the vase is filled with expensive flowers)

But, remember, a compound modifier only needs a hyphen when it comes before a noun. If it comes after the noun, leave the hyphen out.

the hotel is dog friendly

There’s one other caveat: don’t use a hyphen when you have a compound modifier that consists of an adverb ending in -ly plus a participle or adjective. The -ly is sufficient to show that the compound is a unit of meaning.

a highly respected scientist an extremely embarrassing Facebook post a superbly cooked steak

When you have a compound modifier that is interrupted by some other word that’s not really part of the modifier, use a suspended hyphen:

Take a five- or ten-minute break.

Hyphens are also commonly used to divide words that fall at the end of a line of text and continue on the next line. Book and newspaper publishers still set type this way, but it’s rarely necessary to manually insert word breaks in your own writing because modern word processors automatically justify and align your text. If you do need to split a word at the end of a line, it’s best to break the word between syllables.

When to Use En Dashes

En dashes, which are about the width of an upper-case N, are often mistaken for hyphens. But, traditionally, en dashes function as a kind of super hyphen. They’re meant to give you a little extra glue when you have a compound modifier that includes a multi-word element that can’t easily be hyphenated. For example, the phrase Elvis Presley–style dance moves uses an en dash because Elvis-Presley-style dance moves is awkward; “Elvis Presley” isn’t a compound modifier, so hyphenating it looks odd. But, keep in mind, not all readers will notice en dashes or understand what they mean. Sometimes, it’s better to simply reword the phrase.

Elvis Presley–style dance moves or: dance moves like Elvis Presley’s

pre–World War II buildings or: buildings constructed before World War II

En dashes are also used to show ranges of numbers, such as times, page numbers, or scores (I’ll schedule you from 4:30–5:00). But, outside of formal printed publications, this type of en dash is commonly replaced with a simple hyphen.

When to Use Em Dashes

The em dash (about as wide as an uppercase M), is a relatively artistic punctuation mark, compared to the more technical hyphen and en dash. An em dash is most often used to indicate a pause in a sentence. It’s stronger than a comma, but weaker than a period or semicolon.

You can use a pair of em dashes to draw special attention to parenthetical information:

The new nurse—who was wearing the same purple scrubs as the old nurse—entered the room with a tray of Jello.

You can use a single em dash like a colon to add explanatory or amplifying information, especially when the information is surprising:

I opened the door and there she stood—my long lost sister.

Em dashes can also signal a sudden interruption, particularly in dialogue:

“Wait! I forgot to tell you—” The door slammed shut between us and I missed whatever she was trying to say.

Whether or not you use spaces around your em dashes (word—word or word — word) is a matter of style. Whichever style you choose, use it consistently throughout your document.

Remember, em dashes are not interchangeable with hyphens. Using a single hyphen instead of an em dash can confuse readers and make your writing look unprofessional. If you’re writing text in a program or on a website where the em dash character is completely unavailable, use two hyphens together (–) to signify an em dash.

10 Amazing Books That Will Improve Your Writing Skills

Here are two simple truths—writing skills can be taught, and all good writers are also readers. What better way to accomplish two things at once than to read books about writing?

Back in the late ’90s, I owned and managed one of the first websites to offer online workshops especially for writers. Nearly every week, some publishing house would send me one of their latest books for writers hoping for a glowing review. The bottom line? I’ve read a lot of books about how to write and how to live the writing life.

This collection of recommendations includes some of my favorite classics as well as impressive new additions that will help wordslingers of all types—from bloggers to content producers to budding novelists to poets—hone their skills.

The Best Writing How-To Books

1Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley

Best for: Bloggers, content creators

Millions of new blog posts and other pieces of content hit the internet every single day. Ann Handley’s book is a must-have guide that shows content producers what it takes to stand out in a space where competition is fierce. With an accessible style, she takes on everything from how to write to grammar and usage to best practices. Perhaps my favorite part is Handley’s formula for creating content with a focus on empathizing with the reader and telling a great story. This isn’t just a how-to-write guide, it’ll also help you uncover what to write.

2Write Tight: Say Exactly What You Mean with Precision and Power by William Brohaugh

Best for: All writers

Writers are encouraged to make their writing lean and precise. Which is great advice, but how do you do it? Brohaugh, a former Writer’s Digest editor, offers all the necessary how-tos in this book. He teaches writers to eliminate redundancy, recognize and squash empty modifiers, and remove other dead weight that slows writing down. Although it’s sometimes criticized for being a bit pedantic, Brohaugh’s guide gave me some striking Aha! moments when I first read it about a decade ago, which is why I heartily recommend it.

3The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person’s Guide to Writing in the 21st Century by Steven Pinker

Best for: All writers

Although Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style is a time-honored classic, its prescriptive approach to language isn’t for everyone. Enter Harvard professor Steven Pinker with a more contemporary take. His witty approach recognizes that language is fluid and that, while it’s good to know and follow the rules when it makes sense to, expressive writing often relies on bending them. Writing newbs may find this book challenging, but it’s full of insight for those who already have a grasp on grammar and style and want to improve.

4You Are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One) by Jeff Goins

Best for: Bloggers, content creators, indie authors

Jeff Goins parlayed a love of writing into a successful career as an author, blogger, and speaker. If you have the drive to succeed as a writer, Goins provides the roadmap. You Are a Writer isn’t so much a book about the art of writing as it is about the business of getting your hard work noticed. If you aspire to build your platform and become a professional writer, it’s a great place to start.

5Stein On Writing by Sol Stein

Best for: Creative writers

There are plenty of books that share advice for dealing with writer angst, getting unstuck creatively, and living life as a wordsmith. Stein On Writing is not one of those books. If you’re ready to dig into the nuts and bolts of great writing and you want to truly improve at your craft, this book is a master class by a veteran editor, author, and teacher.

6 1001 Ways to Write Great Fiction, Get Published, and Earn Your Audience by Chuck Wendig

Best for: Fiction writers

Chuck Wendig’s writing isn’t for the sensitive or easily offended—his no-holds-barred style is full of biting humor, social commentary, and profanity. But what his book delivers is a contemporary guide to becoming a better fiction writer that’s rendered in quick, easy-to-digest truth bombs. This from a successful blogger, screenwriter, and author of numerous novels, including the New York Times bestselling Star Wars: Aftermath.

The Best Books about Living the Writing Life

7On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Best for: Fiction writers

Any writer who dreams of publishing a novel should add On Writing to their to-read (or to-reread) list. Part writing how-to and part memoir, King’s book is a modern classic. (I’ve read it three times so far.) I love King’s stories about how his experiences forged him as a writer from early on. I’m moved by the tale of how King, his young family living hand-to-mouth, collapsed to the floor when his editor called to tell him that the paperback rights to Carrie, his breakout novel, sold for $400,000.

Not only does On Writing share one enormously successful writer’s origin story, it teaches the craft of writing in a way that feels conversational and real, as though he’s a mentor sitting across the table from you, sipping coffee and giving you his best advice.

8Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

Best for: Creative writers

Sometimes writers take themselves too seriously. By allowing us a glimpse of her own human foibles, Anne Lamott takes some of the sting out of the things that cause writers grief, from perfectionism to insomnia. And she does it all with her celebrated wit and self-deprecating humor. It’s like having a crazy writer aunt to commiserate with. And you’ll learn a thing or two in the process.

9Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within Natalie Goldberg

Best for: Creative writers

Natalie Goldberg’s approach to writing is simple—if you want to write truthfully and powerfully, you have to connect with yourself. Using Zen teachings, she encourages writers to follow their first thoughts and to trust their minds and bodies to lead them. Her voice is accessible, and sometimes vulnerable, and her inspirational and wildly creative methods have been helping writers find their voices for over thirty years.

10Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury

Best for: Creative writers

In the form of some Fahrenheit 451 bookends, I own a chunk of Ray Bradbury’s former California bungalow, so I could hardly leave his classic off the list. Zen in the Art of Writing, a collection of essays on the writing life, rings with sage wisdom from a famous sci-fi master. Keep your highlighter (physical or digital) handy for marking all the memorable phrases, like “Every morning I jump out of bed and step on a landmine. The landmine is me . . . .I spend the rest of the day putting the pieces back together. Now it’s your turn. Jump!”

Quiz: What Kind of Imposter Syndrome Do You Have?

It’s irrelevant that you’ve been working in your field for years; you’re living in fear of being outed as a fraud. A fake. A phony.

It’s imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is the inability to internalize your successes, coupled with the fear of being outed as an unqualified fraud.

This fear of being exposed as inadequate and unqualified literally keeps you from achieving your best professional self.

You are not alone. In fact, nearly everyone has experienced a case of it at some time in their lives. So what keeps some people operating in fear while others can let it go? According to Valerie Young, author of The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer From the Imposter Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It, part of the solution is understanding the category of imposter syndrome that you have. Young lists five categories:

1. Perfectionist
2. The Superwoman/man
3. The Natural Genius
4. The Rugged Individualist
5. The Expert

How Do I Know Which Imposter Syndrome I Have?

In her book, Young points out some identifying features of each kind of imposter syndrome. Though her book will give you a more accurate sense of where you stand, we crafted the following quiz around her descriptions in order to help you understand which form is your most dominant and how you can overcome imposter syndrome.

Red Flags to Avoid During Your Job Search in 2017

In today’s competitive job market, how you communicate with potential employers can make your skills stand out. Making sure you effectively express yourself, accurately represent your abilities, and stay present throughout the process is what makes the difference in ultimately receiving a job offer.

Your first interaction with your desired company is likely to happen through writing. But you’ll need more than just a sparkling resume and cover letter. With that in mind, I’ll show you what to avoid, how to get the most from your resume and cover letter, and how to approach email correspondence with your future employers.

3 no-nos to avoid on your resume

1. Overlooking grammar. You probably won’t be surprised to hear that at Grammarly, we tend to keep a close eye on spelling, grammar, and punctuation in resumes. But above all else, practical communication is what we assess when we’re looking at someone’s experiences on paper. Can we understand what you’re talking about? Do you highlight the most important information? Certain roles, like our recently filled community manager position, require an even closer examination of writing skills because of the necessity of writing in that role’s day-to-day function. Writing is an essential skill we look for in potential candidates because at the very least, everyone writes emails as a representative of their company.

2. Misrepresenting employment history. Pay close attention to your employment section. It’s noticeable when someone’s resume dates are incorrect or out of order. You should tailor your resume to the type of position you’re seeking, but it’s critical that you accurately represent your employment history and career development.

3. Use no more than two pages. When people say keep your resume on one page, I don’t think that applies as much to our present-day workforce. We’re not receiving paper resumes anymore, so two-page breakdowns are fine. If it takes more than one page to show the value of your work history, so be it. Don’t shy away from detailing what makes you an ideal fit.

3 cover letter faux pas you should be aware of

1. Addressing it to the wrong recipient. It always irks me when I read a cover letter that is addressed to another company. That’s an immediate red flag and could lead to a candidate being rejected. I can tell the letter was copied and pasted. We read all incoming cover letters here at Grammarly, so I would highly recommend you double-check your intended audience because most companies that require a letter will read them.

2. Generalizing your experience. You can tell when someone hasn’t spent much time crafting their cover letter. We require them when writing is essential to a particular role. We also value them because we want to know how someone’s work background relates to our opening. A lot of people write about how they’re so great for the position because they did X, Y and Z at their previous company, but the things they describe are not relevant to our job posting. If you’re writing a letter, tell me how your past experience is going to translate into what we need.

3. Rewriting your resume in letter form. People often overlook that we do have your resume in your application, so there’s tons of additional information there that doesn’t need to be re-explained. Detail the reasons you would be good for the role and highlight the experience that makes you qualified. If it’s a role that is different than your work experience, the letter offers a chance to show us why you’re interested.

3 ways you can hurt your chances via email

1. Not being aware of timing. If I’ve informed a candidate that they’re advancing to another stage of the interview process—a phone call, an on-site interview, or a reference check—and they’re not getting back to me within 24 hours, I tend to think there’s a lack of interest on the candidate’s part. Be present and engaged for any and all conversations throughout the interview process.

2. Responding with typos. Email mistakes might be considered a red flag for some, but I don’t consider it to be an immediate deal-breaker. Let’s be completely honest … email typos happen. They’re not ideal, but they do happen. People’s brains move so fast that a minor mistake is understandable. I’m not going to suddenly remove someone from consideration because of one error, especially if they’ve already made it to an advanced stage in the interview process. But if it happens over and over, I reconsider moving the candidate forward due to their lack of attention to detail.

3. Missing a simple opportunity to say, “Thank you.” Expressing gratitude still goes a long way. When I receive a thank you email from a candidate, I feel more inclined to push them along in the process a little bit faster. A recent hire at Grammarly went above and beyond on this front. She met with our recruiting team and came back later that day to meet with our executive team. In between the interviews, she gave us handwritten thank you notes. It was so thoughtful, and it spoke to her sincere interest in the role and the company.

Mastering effective communication is an important goal in any job search. Strong writing, for that matter, is one of the key ways you can increase your chances of landing a new position. Grammarly’s blog is here to help you take your writing to the next level.

Affective vs. Effective: What’s the Difference?

Is affective just another word for effective? Are the two words similar and entangled in the way the verbs affect and effect are? No, affective is not just another word for effective. And affective and effective are not derived from the verbs affect and effect. They come from the nouns affect and effect.

Affective is usually used in the field of psychology and addresses emotions and feelings. Effective is common in everyday language to describe something that produces a desired result.

The Difference Between Affective and Effective

Affective and effective are adjectives with no boundary issues, at least not with each other. There’ll be none of that nonsense “affect” and “effect” like to pull off, so let’s dive into what makes the two adjectives so different from each other.

• Affective describes something that has been influenced by emotions, is a result of emotions, or expresses emotion.
• Effective describes something that produces a desired result.
• Effective comes from the noun effect, which means result. Affective comes from the noun affect, which does not mean the same thing as the verb affect.

Affective Definition

An affective action would be an action that was caused by emotions. Affective things are like that—they are either caused by emotions or feelings, influenced by them, or are otherwise related to emotions. You can also use affective to say that something expresses emotions. Affective is an adjective formed from the noun affect, which appears quite frequently in psychology-related writing. Imagine that you’re looking at someone who is experiencing a strong emotion—every manifestation of that emotion you can observe is an affect. At least, that’s the easiest way to understand it.

Effective Definition

When you want to say that something you’re doing is causing results, you can say that it’s effective. Specifically, something is effective when it produces the results you want. And that’s a very appropriate way to define effective, because we get the adjective from the noun effect—a result. It’s not too hard to remember the difference between affective and effective. You just have to use a small upside-down mnemonic device—when it comes to affective and effective, a is for emotion, and e is for action.

Why You Might Have Trouble with Affective

One reason it’s sometimes easy to mix up the meaning of the adjective affective is that the noun it’s derived from, affect, is spelled the same as the verb affect, but the two have very different meanings.

While affect the noun, as we already explained, relates to the emotions we experience, affect the verb means to cause an effect, or to influence.

Examples of Affective and Effective in Sentences

Doctors also report they have patients who seem to experience a summer version of seasonal affective disorder. —NBC News

Only humans were thought to have this ability of affective forecasting, in which prior experiences are used to conjure up mental pictures about totally new situations. —Science Daily

Educators are always on the look-out for ways to make their teaching more effective, and it seems the secret to effective learning may be less study not more. —Forbes

Twitter’s rights to the MLB and NHL games are effective immediately. —Variety

Baseball Fans Come Out Swinging in 2016 MLB Grammar Power Rankings

The Boys of Summer are in their glory! Last year, we ranked all thirty Major League Baseball teams by how well their fans write when they’re talking them up or just playing armchair coach online. Our ranking was such a hit that we decided to make it an annual event.

We gathered 3,000 fan comments (of fifteen words or more) posted to each MLB team’s SB Nation blog between June 1 and June 14, 2016. We then used the Grammarly editor to detect grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and punctuation errors in each comment and used the sums to calculate the average number of errors per 100 words. Updates to Grammarly’s algorithms and an increase in our study sample size changed the numbers game this year. Our 2015 study analyzed 4,500 fan comments from MLB.com. The 2016 study sample size was twenty times that (90,000 total comments.) The larger sample, coupled with our software’s more objective grammar checks, meant that writing scores improved across the board.

This year, top honors went to the Miami Marlins. Marlins fans made an average 1.39 mistakes per 100 words. Baseball fans from Ohio also swung for the fences, with the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds coming in second and third. Saint Louis Cardinals fans, on the other hand, should’ve spent some time honing their writing skills during spring training. Their average of 2.2 errors per 100 words landed them in last place. National League fans edged out American League fans with 1.79 mistakes per 100 words versus 1.82.

How did your favorite team’s fans stack up? Take a look at our 2016 Grammar Power Rankings to find out.

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Sneaky, Nerdy Ways to Celebrate Star Wars Day

Star Wars Day is a unique gift to both Star Wars fans and wordplay fans, giving us the opportunity to wish friend and foe alike, “May the Fourth be with you.”

Even if you live here on Earth and not in a galaxy far, far away, there are still ways to make sure that the Force is strong with you this May the Fourth. Maybe you incorporate subtle references into your day at the office, or change your speech habits. Maybe you just throw a #StarWarsDay into your preferred social media venue. And there are always lightsaber battles.

To get you on your way, here are thirty-one ways to feel the Force flowing through you this #StarWarsDay.

1 Show up to work as Darth Vader. Or, if you’re not the boss and don’t want to appear insubordinate, a stormtrooper. Those bucketheads fit right in in the workplace.

2 Don’t have a helmet handy? Try a slightly more subtle costume. For example: black vest over a white shirt, tan jacket with khakis, khakis and white v-neck, or brown bathrobe.

3 Insert a random, irreverent gif into a work email. For example:

• Cats with lightsabers
• Bears with lightsabers
• Disco-dancing Chewbacca

4 Put blue food coloring in your milk. It may not be from a Bantha, but even Jedi need their calcium.

5 Get Han Solo legos and freeze them in ice cubes for a carbonite cocktail. If you’re ready for commitment, you can even buy an ice cube tray with that scoundrel’s outline already built in. Just don’t let Boba Fett get to him first.

6 Other drink ideas: there’s the Hoth Toddy, the Qui-Gon Jinn and Tonic, the Dark and Stormy Trooper, and more. And don’t imbibe them without first getting the perfect cups.

7 Listen to John Williams’ score to boost your mood while you sit at the computer. Need a bigger boost? Listen to Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes play the Cantina song on loop for ten hours. Repeat as needed.

8 Try not to speak English for a full day. Some alternate language ideas:

• “Utinni!” (Jawaese for “Wow”)
• “Wee now kong bantha poodoo.” (Huttese for “Now you’re bantha fodder.”)
• “Huuguughghg raaaaaahhgh huuguughghg uughguughhhghghghhhgh huuguughghg huurh aarrragghuuhw.” (Shyriiwook for “That was a scintillating presentation.” Get your own Wookiee translations here.)

9 Still not satisfied with a subtle costume? Check out some of the cosplay creations from the Star Wars Celebration a few weeks back. You never know—Salacious Crumb just might be a major help in the office.

10 Everyone likes the gal or guy who brings food to work. Especially pastries. Especially sticky buns shaped like Princess Leia’s hair.

11 Work “I have a bad feeling about this” into casual conversation. Or, if things get really rough, “it’s a trap!”

12 You never know where in the galaxy you might have a secret father, sister, or other relative, so get your DNA tested with 23andMe. If you find any new relatives, make sure you reveal your relationship after having a brutal Force battle and cutting off their favorite limb.

13 Ride a tauntaun to work. Snow lizards not native to your habitat? No problem. Take a broomstick, an alpaca mask, and some ram horns, stick them all together, and you’ve got your transport. Just remember: they smell bad on the outside, but the inside is worse.

14 If someone gets on your bad side, diss them good with one of these classic Star Wars insults:

• Slimy piece of worm-ridden filth
• Nearsighted scrap pile
• Walking carpet
• Mindless philosopher
• Overweight glob of grease
• Slimy, double-crossing, no-good swindler
• Fuzzball
• Scoundrel
• Goldenrod
• Scum
• Malfunctioning little twerp
• Stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf-herder

15 If you want to get out of doing something, say “But I was going to Tosche Station to pick up some power converters!”

16 Change all your passwords to THX1138.

17 Refer to anyone subordinate to you as “Padawan,” and call your superiors “Master,” “Lord,” or (preferably) “Grand Moff.” If you call your boss “Emperor,” just prepare for the repercussions.

18 Set the Imperial March as your ringtone.

19 You can have a lightsaber battle with any number of everyday objects. For example:

• Highlighters
• Rulers
• Pencils
• Bananas
• Rolled-up yoga mats
• Actual lightsabers. Maybe, just maybe, that’s in the realm of possibility.

20 Find (or become) a mentor. Star Wars is all about making connections with people (or aliens), learning how to forge your own path, and occasionally lifting rocks with your mind while you’re upside down. If you’re picking a mentee, just make sure you do a quick midichlorian count first.

21 Drape a brown sheet around yourself and pick up trash on the side of the road. Bonus if you can find droid bits in a sandlot.

22 Feeling unproductive? Blame it on having a bad motivator.

23 If you’re a Star Wars someplace where it’s cold, build a snow fort. Not everyone gets to celebrate Star Wars Day on Hoth.

24 Read How Star Wars Conquered the Universe. It’s a history of the franchise, an encyclopedia of the Star Wars galaxy, and a fan’s dream come true.

25 Try your hand—and your telekinesis—at “vadering.” (If you’re in the workplace, maybe make sure you get consent first).

26 Watch the fan-made version of A New Hope, a YouTube masterpiece that breaks the original movie into thirty-second chunks and features hundreds of artistic approaches to retelling the story. Between the trash-can R2-D2s, glued-on Obi-Wan beards, and fan-created animations, it’s pretty much a new art form.

27 Start (or continue) your countdown to Episode VIII. As of May 4, it’s 224 days until December 15.

28 On a similar note, watch the trailer for The Last Jedi. A few hundred times. Dissect every moment. Post your predictions on fan boards. Check your countdown: rats, it’s still 224.

29 Change your email auto-signature to MTFBWY.

30 Tough project at work? Let Yoda inspire you: “Do, or do not. There is no try.”

31 May the Fourth not enough for you? In some circles, tomorrow is known as Revenge of the Fifth. It’s an opportunity to join the dark side and celebrate all the Sith Lords doing their best to exploit the power of the Force for their own gain. Just don’t be seduced by the dark side. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. Plus, May 6 is just a normal day.

Star Wars Day may happen only once a year, but remember: the Fourth will be with you. Always.

Grammar Basics: What Are Verb Tenses?

Verb tenses are forms of verbs that show whether we are talking about the past, present, or future. There are six classical tenses in English and an additional six tenses that are categorized as “perfect tenses.”

The classical tenses, using the verb “walk” as an example, are: Present simple (I walk) Present continuous ( I am walking)

Simple past (I walked) Past continuous (I was walking)

Simple future (I will walk) Future continuous (I will be walking)

The perfect tenses, using walk as an example, are:

Present perfect (I have walked) Present perfect continuous (I have been walking)

Past perfect (I had walked) Past perfect continuous (I had been walking)

Future perfect (I will have walked) Future perfect continuous (I will have been walking)

Many verbs, like “make,” “do,” “see,” and “be” are irregular in the past and perfect tenses, which means that they do not look like the regular verb “walk” when conjugated.

To learn more about grammar and to help us celebrate National Grammar Day this March, visit our new resource page.

Texting: Ppl, Srsly, It’s OK 2 Uz TxtSpk Sumtimz

Text speak gets a bad rap.

It’s been pegged as barbaric, accused of ruining the English language, identified as a symbol of the millennial generation’s laziness, and perhaps worst of all, it’s been strung up as the next bad habit liable to rot kids’ brains.

That puts it in the same category as American English, according to Prince Charles, and rock ’n’ roll, according to conservative evangelical parents of the 1950s—two institutions that turned out pretty okay, according to the majority.

So then, is the phenomenon of using shortcuts, homophones, and the omission of non-essential letters in what’s usually but not exclusively digital communication really such a terrible thing?

Or for those fluent in text speak:

LOL. So then iz d phenomenon of UzN shortcuts, homophones & d omission of non-essential letters n what’s usu bt not exclusively digital cmUnik8shn rly such a terrible tng.

Researchers from Coventry University in England don’t seem to think so. In fact, they argue the contrary, asserting that text speak is actually beneficial to the way that children interact with language.

More specifically, after assessing primary and secondary school children annually for two years, they “found no evidence of a link between poor grammar when texting and the actual grammatical understanding of UK children.” What they did find was that “children’s use of text speak is not only positively associated with word reading ability, but it may be contributing to reading development.”

Children’s use of text speak is not only positively associated with word reading ability, but it may be contributing to reading development.

The astounding results motivated the Scottish Qualifications Authority to, in a shocking move, accept text speak on English tests as long as the answers demonstrated that students understood the subject. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority followed suit, giving partial credit for text speak answers that showed understanding but lacked grammatical correctness.

These über progressive boards still remain exceptions to the rule though. For the most part, it’s still expected that text speak make no cameo appearances on any kind of formal examination.

So when is text speak appropriate?

John McWhorter, an associate professor of English and comparative literature at Columbia University, would argue that this shorthand of sorts is fair game when you’re communicating in a manner that channels the speed and flow of typical conversations. That’s because he’s a firm believer that text speak is not so much a bastardization of our beloved written language, but a language of its own.

In a TED talk he delivered in 2013, he explains how “the miraculous thing” is developing its own grammar and conventions and should be more closely identified as “fingered speech” than as writing.

The big takeaway from his argument? People who use both text speak and formal written English are actually bilingual and can appropriately identify the contexts that warrant one or the other.

And while that may be true the majority of the time, text speak h8ters have jumped at the opportunity to point out the situations where those fluent in the new way of communicating have slipped up and inappropriately LOLed or YOLOed. So, for those new to the language, and also just to take it one step further and clarify when it’s okay to use text speak, we’ve put together a little litmus test as well as a few key tips.

How to figure out if using text speak in written communication is appropriate

”1” Think about this text speak golden rule: speak unto others as they would speak unto you.

This little maxim is all about context. Think about the person who you’re communicating with. Just like you wouldn’t parlez Français to a Chihuahua, you shouldn’t LOL at your grandmother’s lack of bilingualism or ROFL at your technologically challenged manager’s unfamiliarity with a language that you think is, OMG, gr8. If you don’t think someone shares your text speak knowledge, err on the side of conservatism.

Similarly, if you’re in an environment where there are generational gaps and hierarchies to be considered (read: the workplace), take the lead from others before dropping the text speak bomb.

”2”Think about wot yor trying 2 sA

As McWhorter so aptly notes, text speak is more like casual speech because it mirrors the loose, telegraphic eight- to ten-word packets that we converse in. If what you need to communicate demands longer, more reflective, more informative, or more analytical thought, then it probably lends itself to formal written English.

More specifically, other than in quick text messages, text speak can be great for instant messaging via apps like Skype and Slack that act as digital stand-ins for chirpy spoken exchanges (as long as you’ve ensured that the people who you’re communicating with comply with tip one). Same goes for social media posts on platforms with limited word counts, like Twitter.

Text speak can also be appropriate when you urgently need to communicate something fleeting, like the fact that you’re running late, via a more formal mode of communication, like email.

Tips for using text speak in written communication

If you’ve thought about the two points above and are confident that—ding, ding, ding—your situation has qualified for text speak use, then it’s still not a bad idea to consider a few best practice points. This especially holds true for using text speak in the business world, where communication can make or break a deal, a job opportunity, and more.

Only use text speak shortcuts that are widely known.

You still want to communicate clearly, after all. So using complicated acronyms like IYKWIM (If You Know What I Mean) or IANAL (I Am Not A Lawyer) will only confuse people further.

Consider the tone of your message and think about using polite terms to soften things up.

As business etiquette expert and founder of the Protocol School of Palm Beach Jacqueline Whitmore advises, “Quick messages can make you come off as flippant or harsh. Instead of staccato phrases, write complete sentences. Add polite touches like ‘please’ (plz) and ‘thank you’ (tks).”

And of course, don’t text in all caps—it makes it seem like you’re screaming.

Don’t use text speak that you wouldn’t say out loud.

This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s still good to point it out. If you wouldn’t give someone a gap-toothed grin and exclaim, “LOL. What the f*^&? Did you move the deadline forward? F*^& my life,” then you probably shouldn’t text them that either.

Try not overuse pragmatic particles.

A pragmatic particle is a linguistic term for a word or phrase that doesn’t add any semantic meaning to a sentence, but that still adds value in the way that it communicates attitude, shows empathy or adds structure to the interaction.

In text speak, LOL is an example of a pragmatic particle. People often use it even when nothing is funny or they’re clearly not laughing out loud. They do this to communicate light-heartedness and a positive tone.

Like difficult acronyms and abbreviations, pragmatic particles can be confusing for and misunderstood by those not as adept at text speak. So before defaulting to frequent use, think about the person you’re communicating with.

What’s it to you? Do you think there’s a case for situation-appropriate text speak, and do you agree with our points about when to use it? Share your opinion in the comments section below or via our Facebook page or Twitter feed.

 

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Stephanie Katz is a San Francisco-based writer who, contrary to the way it may seem, won’t correct your grammar over beers, coffees or any other normal life interaction. She tells stories about health, history, travel and more and can be contacted via email at stekatz@gmail.com.

Presidential Debate Grammar Power Rankings

Ready or not, the U.S. presidential campaign season is upon us. Whoever your pick for POTUS, one thing’s certain—political topics inspire passionate discussions. With a light heart and heavy-hitting algorithms, we visited each candidate’s official Facebook page and looked at the comments there to see how well their supporters handle themselves when they communicate their ideas in writing.

Our first study put followers of Republican candidates—the participants in the first national presidential debate on August 6—in the spotlight. The Democratic candidates climb into the debate ring on October 13, so this time we put their supporters to the test. Then, in the spirit of friendly competition, we combined the studies into one infographic to allow for comparisons between the parties.

Whether your discussion style is passionate or placid, as the 2016 presidential election approaches there’s no better time for intelligent discourse.

 

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Methodology

We began by taking a large sample of Facebook comments containing at least fifteen words from each candidate’s official page between April, 2015 and August, 2015. Next, we created a set of guidelines to help limit (as much as possible) the subjectivity of categorizing the comments as positive or negative. Since the point of the study was to analyze the writing of each candidate’s supporters, we considered only obviously positive or neutral comments. Obviously negative or critical comments, as well as ambiguous or borderline negative comments, were disqualified.

We then randomly selected at least 180 of these positive and neutral comments (~6,000 words) to analyze for each candidate. Using Grammarly, we identified the errors in the comments, which were then verified and tallied by a team of live proofreaders. For the purposes of this study, we counted only black-and-white mistakes such as misspellings, wrong and missing punctuation, misused or missing words, and subject-verb disagreement. We ignored stylistic variations such as the use of common slang words, serial comma usage, and the use of numerals instead of spelled-out numbers.

Finally, we calculated the average number of mistakes per one hundred words by dividing the total word count of the comments by the total number of mistakes for each candidate.

An Introduction to Verb Tenses

When using multiple verbs in a clause, it’s important to keep them in the same tense. For example: I went to the store, buy an apple, and ate it on the way home. ‘Went’ and ‘ate’ are both in past tense, but ‘buy’ is in present tense.

To fix this sentence, use ‘bought,’ which is the past tense of ‘buy.’ I went to the store, bought an apple, and ate it on the way home.

Another example: I went to the store and bought an apple, and now I am eating it.

‘Went’ and ‘bought’ are both in past tense and ‘eating’ is in present tense. In this case, the two different verb tenses are in two separate clauses, separated by a comma, so it is ok that they’re in different tenses.

For more information on verb tenses, read this blog post about the difference between gone and went.

Monday Motivation Hack: Use Your PTO

You think you’re locking in your career by never missing a day.

You’re not alone.

Research shows that more than a quarter of workers fear that taking time off will make them seem less dedicated. Others think that vacation-time martyrdom will boost their chances for a raise or a promotion (it doesn’t).

But, this (very American) cultural phenomenon of rarely taking time off and almost never using all of one’s vacation days is bad news for employers and employees alike. And managers know it.

According to Project: Time Off, managers agree that paid time off (PTO):

• improves health and well-being (82 percent)
• relieves burnout (81 percent)
• increases employees’ focus after return (78 percent)
• improves employees’ commitment to their jobs (70 percent)

So, if the boss is on board, why did Americans donate 658 million vacation days to their employers in 2015?

More than 66 percent of employees report getting mixed or negative messages about time off and just don’t want to take the risk, deal with the stress, or let the work build up.

However, there are important reasons to make PTO a priority.

Why You Absolutely Must Start Using Your PTO

Recently, we explored the benefits of self-care and treating yo’self for motivation and productivity. Using up your PTO takes these ideas to the next level, and the benefits are just as profound.

• Vacation can save your life—literally. Research shows that high-risk middle-aged men who took regular vacations were less likely to die of all causes and significantly less likely to die of heart attack during the course of a nine-year study. Vacation has also been shown to have an effect on your body and mind similar to that of meditation.
• Time off is critical to self-care, creativity, and motivation. Though research shows the halo-effect of vacation is short lived, it is a vital part of recharging your batteries and your willpower.

How to Get the Most from Your PTO

Put a little excitement in this Monday, and do these things today:

1. Find out how many vacation days you currently have. (Check with HR if you have questions about how or when you need to use PTO.)
2. Mark out paid holidays on your calendar.
3. Pick three fun things you could do with the vacation time you have.

When you have an idea of what you’re working with, there are a few best practices that will set you up for success when you do take time off.

Plan ahead.

Planning is highly correlated with increased use of time off. Many people fear the amount of backed-up work they’ll come back to if they take time off. By wrangling your workload effectively, you will be able to build in adequate buffers to your vacation time and remove the stress that can accompany time off.

Here’s a tip: Plan your workflows as if you’re taking 30 to 50 percent more time off. This way, when you come back to your desk, day-to-day tasks are sorted and you can focus on any catch-up—like email.

Plan around slow seasons.

Take advantage of lulls in your industry to minimize backlogged work before and after vacation.

Piggy-back on holidays.

A lot of people take vacation whenever they can squeeze it in. By planning, you are able to optimize not only workflows but also total time off, getting the maximum bang for your days-off buck.

Communicate with your team.

Advanced notice to your team—with regular reminders—works wonders. You can set early deadlines, and your colleagues will often cooperate to make project requests farther in advance so you’re not bottlenecked before or after your time off.

Make vacation planning a reward.

By planning far-ish in advance for PTO, you get to look forward to your coming vacation. It’s fun to see the details come together. Plus, on rough days, it can be highly motivating to have something concrete to look forward to/daydream about.

Now that you know how much time off you have, when some good times to go on vacation are, and how you’re going to plan for that time, let go of the worry that your boss will be angry or that you’ll fall behind, and plan a trip!

How much vacation do you take? How do you prepare for it and what tips would you share?