Frankly Speaking

Bad Grammar Makes Me SIC!

Posted by Amanda Franks on 7 June 2012 | 4 Comments

Tags: Spelling, Grammar, CV, Apprentice

So I’m going to rant! We are currently recruiting for an apprentice to work in the Frankly Recruitment offices. This candidate will be tasked with the meeting and greeting of the public and also with the management of social media such as Facebook and Twitter.  

Having received around 20 applications, I could only short list four to interview. Why? Because of spelling mistakes, poor grammar and of course the ones that start their CV with “I am looking for a role in nursing or social care”, neither of which can be offered here.

Apprenticeships are so important within the market place, especially now. With youth unemployment being at an all-time high it is critical we find a way of bringing them in and creating the skills and experience they will need to move forward with a career. Certainly in our experience, our last apprentice Mica is now training to be a recruitment consultant and is a worthy, fully functioning, team member on a relevant salary.

As a mother of a nine year old boy, I find myself correcting his spelling and grammar with every piece of homework in the hope that he will move forward to use the English language appropriately. I do not feel that this undermines his confidence, nor do I feel that I am wasting my time. My fear is that somewhere the basics he knows at nine may have disappeared by the time he comes to write his CV and covering letter at eighteen. Where is this grammatical Bermuda triangle!?

I am told that short listing on the basis of spelling and grammar errors is discrimination. What if the candidate has dyslexia? Well my point is, if spelling and grammar is relevant to the role then it must be used as an example of the candidate showcasing their skills. Would the followers of our Facebook page be concerned if our posts were spelt incorrectly or didn’t make sense? Of course they would and they would and do comment, even at obvious typos. Our brand and reputation is on the line.

The biggest irritation is those that don’t understand the difference between when to use there, their and they’re. We also see company names and sentences that don’t start with a capital letter and if you are referring to yourself it is I not i.  

Please guys, give yourselves a fighting chance. If the role you are applying for requires administration or written work use spell check, get someone to read over your work and get a grip of the English language.  Parents please support your children in ingraining the basic rules and grow them into really “employable” candidates.

I bet you are all hoping I have made a spelling error in here somewhere? I shall be checking!