By Jill Kurtz
Online Career Tips Contributor
It is not enough to have a singular personal writing style anymore. In these days of writing for so many contexts, we all must hone several voices in our writing. When you sit down to write, the first question to ask is, which version of you will the writing represent?
Most adults will need to be fluent in several writing voices to present themselves well in academic, professional, and social contexts.
The Academic Voice
When writing for a workshop or class, you want to take the tone of the learned student. Use vocabulary that reflects your level of understanding of the subject matter. Be sure that all of your statements are accurate and can be defended. Cite references for all facts and figures.
This type of writing is often longer. Paragraphs should all be fully developed and include a theme statement and supporting facts. The overall construction should include a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Often a specific style guide such as APA or Chicago is specified for writing in an academic setting; have a style manual at hand and be compliant.
The Professional Voice
When writing a resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and other items that represent you professionally, keep your words focused. Know the keywords for your industry and use them in a credible way. Concentrate on topics that reflect your expertise and don’t stray too deeply into personal interests.
Don’t use slang. “Talk” in writing just as you would in an interview or a business meeting. Your reader should envision you in business attire, not loungewear.
Cite the work of credible professionals as needed, but be sure to own and present your own expertise. Don’t be afraid to make strong statements that reflect your passion for your profession. Content length should be appropriate to the specific context.
It is extremely important to keep all of your published professional writing up-to-date. Update your profile, resume, and other documents as often as needed to reflect your current expertise, job role, and education.
The Social Voice
Write for your friends like you talk to your friends. Be conversational. Keep sentences short.
Be as appropriate in writing as you are in face-to-face conversations. Don’t offer TMI – too much information. Have fun, but still write something meaningful; don’t forget that what you write has to make sense when read.
Also keep in mind that your writing may be seen by many eyes beyond your original attended audience. Today’s employers will review all types of online materials when considering a candidate for employment.
Social writing is generally short. A sentence can be a paragraph if it contains all that you have to say on a topic.
When Voices Collide
What happens when you are communicating with a social acquaintance in a business context? When your teacher or mentor becomes a coworker?
A great rule of thumb is to let right voice for the context, rather than the relationship, rule. Your social voice, intended only for a workplace friend, may not translate well when your email is forwarded to others. In most cases, written communication is not private or confidential so you need to always write for the appropriate context.
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