I believe writing skills are underestimated. Especially in today’s ever-changing job market—there are fewer face-to-face or verbal interactions and more written interactions. 

Think about it, your first interaction with a potential employer is likely through writing. Whether it’s an intro email, your resume, or a cover letter—exceptional writing is a fabulous way to make a solid first impression. Recruiters and hiring managers will notice a difference in well-thought-out responses versus rushed comments. 

In addition to helping you make a solid first impression, once you’re working with a new team, strong writing skills help you excel in the job. In essence, good writing skills help you effectively communicate with others. They ensure readers understand the key points of what you’re trying to get across, come away with the ideas and impression you want them to, and, in many cases, take action to do whatever you’re hoping they’ll do.

Writing is something others can refer back to at any point, this is particularly helpful when you’re working on standardizing processes to ensure consistency and improved quality control. Depending on your role with an organization, you might also use your writing skills to clearly and quickly communicate updates for a project—this is essential to moving the project forward and getting the job done.  Another example might be working in sales. A well-written sales pitch to a critical client will increase your credibility and help you land new business. A coworker who communicates in a clear and professional way will make everyone’s work easier in the long run.

Ready to level up your writing skills?! Here’s what you need to do: 

• Brush up on the basics—know how to write clear, easy-to-understand sentences with smooth transitions between topics.  
• Be aware of your audience—who is your reader, and what tone is appropriate? 
• Ask for help—an extra set of eyes or even a simple tech tool can help catch mistakes and save you many headaches in the long run. 

Are you looking for more guidance? I collaborated with The Muse on this article, Why Writing Skills Are Important for Every Job — and How to Improve Yours.

You’re going to want to bookmark this one and refer back to it throughout your job search. 

Take a look and let me know which tip you’re going to implement.

For more insider stories, quick tips, and #CareerTalk, I invite you to connect with me on Instagram @flourish.careers.