The Write Stuff

As a professional, I am extremely embarrassed by my writing skills. My background is in accounting, and I have serious problems trying to put words on paper. I need to build my confidence and recapture my self-esteem. Please recommend a course of action that will help me to take back control of my life. Where should I go for classes? What resources are available to help me get up to speed as quickly as possible? I am so tired of agonizing whenever I find myself needing to write... like now!

Dear Readers,

Take a few deep breaths after you finish a draft of an e-mail or letter and then read it aloud. Simply listening to yourself should help you ferret out what is awkward or unclear in what you've written. It's also a great way to catch a common mistake: using the same word too often in a short document. You'll likely hear the repetition, which, if not needed for emphasis, signals the need to substitute a synonym.

If you want additional help - and most of us do - find a writing partner who is willing to exchange drafts with you. It could be a colleague at work or a friend.

And be prepared to return the favor. Even confident writers seek out another pair of eyes to help them revise. It's nearly impossible to catch all the errors yourself, plus outside readers often contribute additional insights you wouldn't have on your own.

When you examine your writing, look for good stuff, too. When I read the above letter, for example, I see clear, competent sentences. It clearly conveys a sense of urgency. There's a bit of personality in the writing, but not too much to make it unprofessional. These are all good qualities.

Writing classes are available in most small towns and big cities. Universities and community colleges typically offer basic business writing classes. Libraries and community centers sometimes offer shorter, cheaper workshops on topics like memoir-writing and poetry. While these courses may seem slightly off-track, I'm a firm believer that every form of writing has the same goal: "that every word tell," in the words of William Strunk and E. B. White. If you pick up their classic writing manual, "Elements of Style," be sure to buy the new version illustrated by Maira Kalman. There's no easy way to consider the perils of punctuation, but it's a bit more fun with pictures.

Voicemail

Variations

I've been sending out a steady stream of cover letters and résumés as part of my job search and always follow up with a telephone call. If I don't reach someone directly, which is usually the case, I leave a message. No one ever calls me back. Do you think it's because interviewers are swamped or is there an epidemic of rudeness?

Dear Readers,

With so many job seekers for nearly every job opening, it's a safe bet that most people overseeing placements are buried under a pile of résumés. If they received your materials, they may be in the middle of reviewing them along with those from dozens of other anxious applicants, so be patient. If you don't hear anything in two or three weeks, try calling again.

But before you do, take time to consider what you want to say. I recently spread the word on behalf of a recruiter trying to fill an editorial position. I was flooded with calls and emails from unemployed professionals and I was struck by how unprofessional some of the phone messages sounded. Some people didn't say enough. They simply left an unfamiliar name and number, leaving me to guess why they were calling. Other people said too much. I had one message that went on for at least 10 minutes, leaving me doubtful about this person's judgment. The third message I received one day was the charm. An interested editor introduced herself crisply and clearly, stated the reason for her call and cleverly expressed gratitude that I had spread the word about the job. She ended with a polite request that I call her back, and I did.

Leslie Whitaker is co-author of "Good Girls Guide to Negotiating." E-mail her at Leslie@ctwfeatures.com and join the conversation at www.lesliewhitaker.com.

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