Before you get to your first interview, your communication with employers will be in writing.
Your resume? Writing. Your cover letter? Writing. Confirming your interview? Writing. It's clear that strong writing skills can make or break your job search. So, to put your best foot forward and land a job as soon as possible, clear and polished writing is a must.
This is where Grammarly comes into play. Grammarly is a powerful online proofreading tool that can fix and improve your writing, ensuring you present yourself as a top candidate. The best of all, you can use it for free!
In this post, you'll see three ways to use Grammarly in your job search to impress employers and land a job ASAP.
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: I love Grammarly so much that I've decided to partner with them. The links in this article are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
What is Grammarly?
Grammarly is an advanced writing assistant that helps you improve your writing by catching grammar mistakes, spelling errors, and style issues.
It works across various platforms, including your browser, desktop, and mobile devices, so you can write confidently anywhere. Beyond basic corrections, Grammarly offers suggestions to enhance clarity, conciseness, and tone.
Whether you're updating your resume, tailoring a cover letter, or negotiating your salary over email, Grammarly will provide real-time feedback to improve your writing.
It's like having a personal proofreader available 24/7 to help you communicate better and error-free.
How can Grammarly help your job search?
Grammarly can be a game-changer in your job search by ensuring your written communication is flawless.
First, it helps you craft a polished resume and cover letter that stand out to employers by eliminating errors and improving readability.
Second, Grammarly's tone detector ensures your emails and follow-up messages are professional and appropriately formal, making a great impression.
Third, Grammarly provides advanced grammar and vocabulary suggestions to help you write more naturally and confidently.
Let's explore three key ways you, as a job seeker, can use Grammarly to boost your job search and impress employers.
1. Use Grammarly to Fix Your Spelling and Grammar
The most common mistake on resumes? Typos. The #1 thing recruiters hate to see on resumes? Also typos.
Luckily, Grammarly helps with that. It scans your document for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and even style errors.
Imagine you misspell "attention to detail" as "attention to detial." (A real-life example I've seen more than once on resumes!) Or you wrote an email, hit 'send,' and the second the email has been sent to a recruiter, you realize you wrote "their" instead of "there." These small mistakes can leave a big impression—and not the kind you want.
Grammarly catches these errors and provides instant feedback, ensuring your resume, cover letter, and all emails in between are polished and error-free.
It offers real-time suggestions, so you can correct issues on the spot, avoid embarrassment, and communicate with employers confidently without stressing about every single word you write.
By the way, don't stop at fixing typos. Read the full insider list of common resume mistakes and find out how to fix them all in just a few minutes.
2. Use Grammarly to Improve Your Resume and Cover Letter
Sometimes, it’s not just about what you say but how you say it.
For example, using stronger phrases in your job application, i.e., resume and cover letter, can make your achievements stand out. And if your achievements stand out, your job application will stand out, too.
So, Grammarly can help you improve your overall job application and get you a step closer to your next job.
Wondering how?
Well, first, Grammarly highlights sentences that are too long or complex. It suggests simpler words and phrases to improve readability. Second, it proposes more impactful action verbs, words, and phrases and helps you replace vague statements with more precise ones. Third, it also helps you avoid common pitfalls like using the passive voice or overcomplicating sentences.
These suggestions ensure your language is engaging and persuasive. This is exactly what you need to improve your job application and land at the top of the candidate list.
No matter if recruiters read your resume or cover letter first, using Grammarly to enhance them will help you make a great first impression. Want to take it a step further? Check this simple formula for stronger resume bullet points.
3. Use Grammarly to Proofread Your Job Search Emails
When looking for a job, you'll exchange lots of emails with recruiters.
Even though these emails may seem simple and transactional, treat them as part of the hiring process. Now, an overly casual email or a typo here and there may not directly lead to rejection. But trust me, they won't go unnoticed.
Grammarly can be your trusted ally in proofreading your job search emails, making them polished and professional.
For example, even if you have strong communication skills, it's easy to use repetitive or less effective words. Grammarly’s suggestion feature helps you pick stronger vocabulary, showing recruiters that you have a solid grip on the language, which is crucial for any job.
So Grammarly isn't just about catching mistakes. It also assesses the tone of your email.
Are you coming across as too casual or overly formal? Grammarly gives you feedback so you can adjust your tone to be just right. Clear and concise emails make a better impact, and with Grammarly's suggestions, you can ensure your message is clear and professional.
Plus, there's a convenient bonus: You can install it on your browser and have Grammarly review all your written communication. So, whether you're sending a quick email to a recruiter, finalizing your job application and resume on Indeed, or contacting recruiters on LinkedIn, Grammarly will work with you.
FAQs About Using Grammarly for a Job Search
If you're aiming to land a job fast, you want every tool at your disposal. And Grammarly is the #1 tool I recommend! Below, I've answered some common questions about how Grammarly can be useful in your job search journey.
Can Grammarly be used for a resume?
Absolutely! Grammarly is the best proofreading tool for resumes. It eliminates grammatical errors, enhances readability, and improves the tone of your writing—exactly what you need to write a strong resume!
Can you use Grammarly for work?
Definitely! Beyond job applications, Grammarly can be used in various professional settings.
Using Grammarly ensures your emails are clear and error-free, your reports are polished and professional, and the writing on your slides or handouts is stronger and more compelling.
Think of Grammarly as having a virtual editor for all your professional writing needs, making sure your communication is always top-notch.
Should I use Grammarly for my personal statement?
Yes, absolutely! Using Grammarly for personal statements is highly recommended, especially for academic or work applications. Grammarly can help ensure your message is clear and concise. Plus, it will improve the overall flow and readability to capture the reader's attention. Most importantly, it will help you avoid any typos or grammatical errors.
Is Grammarly detectable?
Many people worry that using Grammarly might be detectable by potential employers. The good news is that Grammarly is invisible. It operates as a background tool and doesn't leave any traces on your documents. Plus, your writing is private, and your data is not shared anywhere.
You can confidently use Grammarly without worrying about negative repercussions. (Nobody's gonna know.)
Am I allowed to use Grammarly in a job search?
Yes, using Grammarly during your job search is both legal and ethical. There are no legal restrictions against using writing assistance tools for job applications. Also, it's like using a spellchecker or asking a friend to proofread. You're ensuring your application is the best it can be.
The thing is, in the competitive job market, every little bit helps. Grammarly is just one more tool to ensure your application is top-notch.
How to get Grammarly?
Head to the Grammarly signup page to start your free trial and follow the instructions. In 3 minutes, you'll have Grammarly on your computer. As simple as that!
Disclaimer: This article includes affiliate links. If you shop through these links, I might earn a commission, making this site fully reader-supported. Big thanks for your support!
Key Takeaway
Grammarly is a life-saver! It's the best online proofreading tool for helping you stand out to potential employers while job searching.
It polishes your application, corrects mistakes, and ensures that your language is professional. These elements create a strong first impression and boost your chances of landing a new job.
Best of all? You can start using it for free. If you want to improve your writing and ensure your job application stands out, start your free trial on Grammarly in less than 3 minutes. Sign up, start a free trial, and start writing better—it's just that simple.
Ana Colak-Fustin
Hi—I'm Ana! A recruiter, HR consultant, and founder of ByRecruiters.com. My career advice and job search tools have been featured in Yahoo News, The Muse, Jobscan, A Better HR Business, and other global media. Over 10,000 professionals have used my resume templates to land new jobs and power up their careers. Ready to join them? Your success story starts here.