Open Forum

Dear All 

I am looking for some advice. I have problems with spelling and gammer and having been thinking about when and how to bring it up in an interview or after. I want to do this right and to make sure that my intelligence comes through and not errors. I have sometimes had some else read my work before it goes out to the world. I look forward to all in sight.

Thank you,

Rachel 

Hi, Vivian,

You seem to have missed that Rachel was discussing that she has a learning disability-this is not a matter of her age or generation, and it was not "derived from social media."

Rachel, I understand where you are coming from. Employers are required to make necessary, helpful accommodations for you and other neurodivergent people, and they encounter people with learning disabilities regularly, so they know how to do this. This should not be a hindrance to you as long as you interview well and have your application materials in order. All the best to you!

She did mention it (please reread the title of the thread), which is why I carefully wrote my reply. 

Hi Rachel! 

As a Gen-X'er with mild learning differences, my low self-esteem around my writing and spelling held me back for years. I can confidently say that spelling issues are not a new problem. But the difference now is that some degree of writing challenge no longer needs to be a dramatic hindrance to one's professional life.

If your challenges are more impactful to your work life than what I describe below (or if this is something new you're tackling in a professional environment) I encourage you to seek out advice and assistance from a disability specialist on how to handle possible disclosures and accommodations. I have never felt the need to discuss this with my work colleagues, except at the most surface level, and have never thought to bring it up during an interview process. 

With that caveat out of the way: I have found new autonomy and confidence in my writing by engaging patience with my imperfect self in tandem with helpers like regular old spell-check and a free Grammarly account. It's enough for me but your mileage may vary. I make sure never to relinquish control to a computer over my personal "voice" (which sometimes means NOT taking the computer's advice -- I can't stress the importance of this enough!) and not to let my challenges get in the way of expressing the ideas I wish to share with the world. Some of this comes from many years of work experience requiring professional writing, working with colleagues who are wonderful writers, and also jumping into grad school in my 40s and having to write A LOT. I also took advantage of the writing center at my university to help me learn how to tackle academic writing and organizing ideas.

Having others proofread one's work is wonderful, though some may see it as a luxury or extra responsibility. I think that viewpoint is shortsighted. Everyone loses themselves in their own writing and can benefit from editing and an outside perspective. Rushing the proofing process will take down the most seasoned writer. For personal writing, I often engage my family and friends to read and offer edits. At workplaces that were the best for my writing, we often read and edited each other's work. The red pen ink all over something you've worked hard on can be distressing but it will make you a better writer. My writing will continue to improve -- I am not perfect or an expert. And I try to forgive myself for the occasional mishap.

I wish you a lot of luck!

-Alisa

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Alisa Kraut
Artifact Registrar

Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel University
Philadelphia PA
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Dear Alisa

Thanks, I will keep it in mind and will look at Grammarly tool. 

Thanks again,

Rachel

HI Rachel,

I don't think you have to worry too much about this. If you have gotten to the point of an interview it means that your written work (Resume, cover letter, etc) are good enough to warrant speaking to you in person. It sounds like you are confident in your intelligence and understanding and I am sure that will come through when speaking to a potential employer. It also sounds like you understand the spaces you need assistance and have methods for addressing spelling and grammar. I have found that most colleagues and coworkers are understanding of our shortcoming and are more than willing to lend assistance when asked. There is no instance where what you write will be held against you in a meaningful way. Even people who make their living with the written word need spelling and grammar checks. Writers have editors for a reason.

If I were in your position, I would not bring it up. Spelling and grammar are secondary to understanding and critical thinking. If you are confident in the latter the former is a proofread away.

Good luck with your hunt.

Conrad Zaragoza Cañedo
Traveling Exhibitions Production Supervisor
Field Museum of Natural History
Chicago IL

Rachel,

I applaud you for seeking advice. Perhaps you already know this but there are programs that will literally read aloud whatever you have written. You can pause the audio with this feature and edit what you have written when you hear a mistake. On Outlook there is the "Immersive Reader" feature and on Word there is the "Read Aloud" option. I have found these tools very useful.

All the best, 

Hey, Rachel. Have you considered creating an educational program or lesson in keeping with your work or the work you aspire to do demonstrating your skills at the same time you provide an introduction to your learning needs? The effort would meet other goals hiring people like to see: the ability to overcome, address and master "odds", initiative, honesty, ability to consider other learning abilities in your work, etc. Good luck.

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Tiffane White JD
Museum Educator
The Phillips Collection
Washington DC
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Dear Tiffane

Thanks, I am keeping it all in mind as I look and apply. 

Thanks again,

Rachel