I have to admit, my grammar and spelling are not always the best - a combination of my schooling and my laziness around that time.

Whilst it hasn’t stopped me succeeding as a lawyer and coach, I do have to be extra vigilant when it comes to writing a formal piece, such as a CV.

How you write your CV is a big part of the first impression you make on a potential employer. If you litter it with grammar and spelling mistakes you might find it hard to turn that initial poor first impression around.

Whether grammar and spelling is a weakness or yours or not, you still need to ensure that no mistakes creep into your CV.

Which is where one of my favourite writing tools comes into play.


It’s a free tool called Grammarly, which is available via most popular web browsers at https://www.grammarly.com/. It also has its own standalone desktop app if that’s your thing.


This is what it has to say about itself:

Grammarly makes sure everything you type is clear, effective, and mistake-free."

How To Use It

You can copy and paste your CV or text into it or upload your CV document. It will then highlight all the spelling and grammar issues.

You can also install a web browser extension that highlights issues as you write around the web. This includes Linkedin, Facebook, Gmail and lots more handy places.

Don't Run The Risk of Mistakes

I recommend this tool to all my CV Relaunch clients, no matter how good they or I think their writing is. It's like having your own personal English teacher to check your work for mistakes.

It will surprise you how often it identifies an issue that needs resolving. By doing so, you could be dodging that poor first impression that can so often lead to a "thank you, but no".

Want a blueprint for a winning law CV?

Make sure you check out our Essential Guide to Creating a Successful Lawyer CV.

About Matt Oliver
