Words You May Be Misusing in Your Job Search

Words You May Be Misusing in Your Job SearchWords You May Be Misusing in Your Job SearchIn an effort to impress a potential boss, you might decide to toss out a word or two during a job interview that youre not all that familiar with. Or worse, it might be one of the most common words out there- but youre using it incorrectly. Before you make a major grammatical gaffe in the interview, on the application, or in any emails to the hiring manager, read through these words that you may be misusing during your job search.Words You May Be Misusing in Your Job SearchAffect vs. EffectAlthough affect and effect are often used interchangeably, they are very different. Affect means something has been influenced by someone or something (i.e., She was very affected by the news on TV.) whereas effect is the result of something (i.e., The changes will take effect next week.). Therefore, the effect of all your hours of job searching is that you landed a job interview.Comprisevs. ComposeAccording to an article on Ladders, these are two of the most commonly misused words in the English language.While comprise means to include, compose means to make up.It all comes down to parts versus the whole, the article says. When you usecomprise, you put the whole first A soccer gamecomprises(includes) two halves. When you usecompose, you put the pieces first Fifty statescompose(make up) the United States of America.Accept vs. ExceptOne of the reasons why accept and except are used incorrectly is because they sound almost the same. Thing is, accept means that you are receiving something I accepted the job offer. Except, on the other hand, means to single something out I am available for a second interview any day of this week except for Thursday.Ironic vs. CoincidentalWhen something is ironic, its usually the opposite of what was expected. (Think of a lyric from Alanis Morissettes popsong Ironic- Its a free ride when youve already paid.) On the other hand, coincidental is when two events ha ppen at the same time without being planned. Finding out during a job interview that both you and the hiring manager are actually related is a coincidence.Lie vs. LayBeyond your and youre, lie vs. lay can be one of the biggest vocab mistakes you might be making. Obviously, if youre fibbing, its a lie. But what happens when you need to go rest? Do you lie or lay? In this case, you would lie down. Now, if youre putting something down, you would use the word lay (i.e., Lay your plate down on the table.) The past tense is even trickier- the past tense of lie is lay, and the past tense of lay is laid. And when youre in front of a prospective boss, be sure to lie your briefcase on the seat next to you.Knowing how to use these common words correctly can not only make you sound smarter, but ensure that you say what you mean- every time.