Spelling errors affect job chances

Nearly nine out of 10 human resource (HR) managers said spelling errors negatively affect job applicants' chances of being hired, a survey showed, Wednesday, the day before Hangeul Day. / Gettyimagebank

By Kim Jae-heun

Nearly nine out of 10 human resource (HR) managers said spelling errors negatively affect job applicants' chances of being hired, a survey showed, Wednesday, the day before Hangeul Day.

According to the survey by recruitment service provider Saramin, 87.1 percent of 225 HR managers said they give low grades for cover letters with spelling mistakes. Among them, 37.2 percent said they failed applicants for such errors alone, showing spelling skills have a significant influence on jobseekers' employment prospects.

When multiple answers were allowed, 41.3 percent of HR managers said that spelling mistakes show an applicant's lack of fundamental competency.

Additional answers were that spelling errors in a cover letter hint that the applicant will often make similar mistakes, 40.8 percent; it indicates the applicant lacks passion for the job, 27.6 percent; and it seems the person lacks common knowledge, 22.4 percent.

More than 53 percent said applications with spelling errors show the candidate's lack of sincerity for the company or position, and 44.9 percent said it indicated carelessness.

Despite the negative consequences of spelling mistakes in letters, the HR managers said 39.1 of all cover letters had such errors.

In addition, four out of 10 managers said they have seen applicants using newly-coined words or abbreviations in their cover letters. More than 41 percent said they give low grades for people using such words, and 78.7 percent of them said it's because the jobseekers seem to lack business manners and etiquette.