Page 261 - Complete Idiot's Guide to The Perfect Resume

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Chapter 16 ➤ You’ve Got Style

➤ Assure, ensure, and insure. Assure means “to give someone
confidence.” Ensure means “to make certain.” Insure means
“to protect against loss.” Here are some examples:
I assure you that I will be there Monday morning.
I have taken every measure to ensure that the sale will go
through.
Job-Hunt Hint
I will insure the house for every cent it’s worth.
If you think your reader doesn’t
➤ Its and it’s. Its is the possessive form of it. It’s is a contraction
know the translation for an
that means it is. The difference between the two is shown in
acronym you’ve used, spell it out
the following examples:
and put the acronym in paren-
Please place the resume back in its file. theses. Thereafter in your letter,
you can use the acronym alone.
It’s been a long time since I updated my resume.
➤ Who and Whom. Who is never used as the object of a
preposition. Whom is always the object of a preposition.
Here are some examples:
Who is the person in charge?
My interview is with whom?

To find the answer to other sticky-word questions, consult a dictionary. Then you can be
sure to write the right word in the right place.

Back to the Source

You don’t have to be a grammar know-it-all to be a good writer. Just keep the following
resources nearby so you can look up anything you’re unsure of:
➤ Dictionary
➤ Thesaurus
➤ Writing manual for grammar and writing style (such as The Chicago Manual of Style)

In addition to good books, your computer can help you with grammar and writing style.
Microsoft Word and other word-processing programs have excellent grammar, dictionary,
spelling, and thesaurus tools. But be careful: There’s no substitute for reading it yourself.
Computer spell checkers can’t catch everything; they won’t flag incorrect usage of its and
it’s, for example.
Your letter is often the first contact an employer has with you. Make sure it sends a positive
impression! Don’t embarrass yourself by having a grammatical error in your letter. Ask a
knowledgeable friend, turn to a grammar book, or search online for the answer to your
question. And always proofread your letter carefully before sending it out! A well-written,
polished letter that showcases your personality can open the door to further contact.

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