Predictive text, typos and resume bloopers

My smartphone is smarter than me. The “predictive” word feature on the phone sometimes gets me into trouble. Always hurrying and in many times, poor eyesight makes me send text messages to clients, friends, and family full of typos and errors.

Most of them are gracious. They keep quiet and do not respond. But to my horror, as I put my reading glasses on, I slap myself on the forehead and say, “That was so dumb. How would I have misspelled the word or allow what looked like gibberish sent to my clients or friends?” This can be embarrassing.

I remember my good friend Tet Lim telling me one time, “That’s okay for the error Francis, it happens to me all the time. I was sending the message, “I will tell you...” and I sent it. Later on, I discovered that my smartphone sent the message, “I will kill you...” The culprit here is always being in a hurry. The probability of creating typos and wrong messages, exacerbated by predictive text technology, is enhanced with poor eyesight, especially with the absence of reading glasses for not-so-young people like me.

It seems that hastily sent erroneous messages is not an exclusive property of SMS.

An article featured in the website “The Cyber Digest” entitled “Resume Blunders” in the web lists the bloopers and blunders found in resumes sent to HR people and head hunters. Here is the list for your enjoyment and pleasure:

• “My intensity and focus are at inordinately high levels, and my ability to complete projects on time is unspeakable.”

• “Education: Curses in liberal arts, curses in computer science, curses in accounting.”

• “Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest chain store.”

• “Personal: Married, 1992 Chevrolet.”

• “I have an excellent track record, although I am not a horse.”

• “I am a rabid typist.”

• “Created a new market for pigs by processing, advertising and selling a gourmet pig mail order service on the side.”

• “Exposure to German for two years, but many words are not appropriate for business.”

• “Proven ability to track down and correct erors.”

• “Personal interests: Donating blood. 15 gallons so far.”

• “I have become completely paranoid, trusting completely nothing and absolutely no one.”

• “References: None, I’ve left a path of destruction behind me.”

• “Strengths: Ability to meet deadlines while maintaining composer.”

• “Don’t take the comments of my former employer too seriously – they were unappreciative beggars and slave drivers.”

• “My goal is to be a meteorologist. But since I possess no training in meteorology, I suppose I should try stock brokerage.”

• “I procrastinate – especially when the task is unpleasant.”

• “I am loyal to my employer at all costs. Please feel free to respond to my resume on my office voicemail.”

• “Qualifications: No education or experience.”

• “Disposed of $2.5 billion in assets.”

• “Accomplishments: Oversight of the entire department.”

• “Extensive background in accounting. I can also stand on my head!”

• Cover letter: “Thank you for your consideration. Hope to hear from you shorty!”

Bloopers. Blunders. Typos. Errors. These are not petty and are not to be considered trivial, for it reflects the quality of the person’s level of care and excellence. It is an area I am working hard on improving. Spellchecks are useful; predictive text is useful, but we still need to review and take a careful look at it before sending the message. Even if we do without a pair of reading glasses, at best we would just be guessing, and at worst, we are sloppy.

No, I am not turning the feature off. That is not a solution. What I need to do is to improve the way I do things and minimize errors. Perhaps you are in the same predicament, then let’s grow and improve together. If you do not have problems in this area, then count yourself of all people “blessed.” Although, I have a funny suspicion that one day, you just might need a pair of reading glasses too. Yes, we can improve. God’s mercies are new every morning.

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