There are actually multiple different ways to check a document for mistakes, and some are more effective than others. If all you are doing is reading over your cover letter once and calling it a day, you are probably leaving some costly mistakes behind. Here are some effective ways to make sure you don't spoil a perfectly good application with sloppy errors:
- Print your cover letter out instead of reading it on the screen. It's easier to catch errors reading on a plain piece of paper than a bright screen. It also helps to print your cover letter out in a larger than normal font.
- It can be awkward sometimes, but try reading it out loud. The ear often catches mistakes that the eyes don't see.
- Speaking of which, have someone read your cover letter over for you. An outside observer will not only catch typos you may have missed, they will also be a better judge of awkward or confusing sentences. Things that make sense in our own heads can be confusing to other people.
- Make sure your punctuation is consistent if you have any bulleted items. For example, if you use a period in one bullet, make sure you use them in the others.
