Before sending an email message or Facebook note to a recruiter, be sure to read it over again to make shure you’re not misspelling any words.  Otherwise, your application and resume is likely to be discarded, regardless of the strength of your healthcare credentials.  In other words, if you want a new job ASAP, then you’ll have to mind your Ps and Qs – and all the other letters of the alphabet.

Here are several steps you should take before sending off a job application and resume:

• Run your spell-check application and correct any typos or other obvious errors (like “shure” in the first paragraph here).
• Read the text again to see if there are any missing words. For example, your spell check would probably say the following sentence is correct: “I applying for the position of nursing supervisor.”
• Double check dates of previous employment, along with names, titles and addresses.  Again, you can’t rely on spell check when it comes to factual accuracy.
• Be consistent in terms of spelling and style.  For instance, try to avoid using “12″ and “twelve” in the same paragraph.   And don’t end half of the bullet points in your resume with a period. Go with all periods or none at all.
• Be able to back up any statistics you cite in your letter or resume.  If you cite the average starting salary for laboratory technicians, for example, be sure to include the source as well.
• Finally, read the letter out loud to yourself.  Your ears may pick up a mistake in grammar or usage that your eyes may have missed.  If a phrase sounds awkward or unclear, then you can go ahead and revise it before sending it out.

All these steps will help you present a professional image, right from the start.  And making a positive first impression on the recruiter is essential if you want to be considered for a new position.