Bad grammarians, beware. CEO Kyle Wiens is unwilling to hire employees with a weak handle on grammar to work for either of his companies. In his mind, details are crucial, and he is not going to take a chance on an employee who doesn’t take that focus seriously.

Does Good Grammar Mean Strong Personal Accountability?

1. Grammar Reflects Credibility

In today’s world that is so dominated by the Internet and social media, grammar is an increasingly important way to establish credibility and reflect professionalism in the workplace. Basically, as Wiens points out, “Your words are all you have. They are a projection of you in your physical absence.”

Think about it. Are you going to choose to patronize the company with a grammatically correct website or the business whose online presence is riddled with careless errors? Personal accountability and company credibility are reflected in the use of good grammar, even in the unconscious perception of consumers.

2. Grammar Reflects Intelligence

Wiens is concerned about hiring people with poor grammar skills, and he thinks that it is for a good reason: “If it takes someone more than 20 years to notice how to properly use ‘it’s,’ then that’s not a learning curve I’m comfortable with.”

Most companies want to hire intelligent, versatile professionals who can solve the complex problems of today’s world. For many, poor grammar usage reflects an intellectual lack or even just a lack of motivation to get things right. And in this economy, prospective employees are especially likely to be ruled out as a result of a grammatically incorrect resume or cover letter.

3. Grammar Reflects Attention to Detail

Companies want to hire employees with a strong work ethic and high personal accountability. Companies want employees who will project professionalism in the workplace without being micromanaged. And what better indicator than an applicant’s attention to detail on their resume?

According to Wiens, “I’ve found that people who make fewer mistakes on a grammar test also make fewer mistakes when they are doing something completely unrelated to writing.” Whether it is creating a computer program, performing surgery, flying an airplane, or fighting a fire, so many jobs require strong attention to detail even if they don’t involve writing. And Wiens is a CEO who hires “people who care about those details.”

Does your own grammar reflect your personal accountability? Share your story in the comments today.

Photo credit