Correcting Errors

THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE SOLELY THOSE OF THE AUTHOR.

A potential client or employer, as the case may be, sends you a very polite and encouraging email. Attached is a PDF of information about the company. You thank them for sending it. You carefully read it. Here's the problem, there's a typo. Or there's a factual error. Do you mention it or ignore it?

You need the client. You need the job. Some people are sensitive. They don't like having their errors pointed out to them. You don't no (Intentional! I had to do one...) the person. You don't know how they will react. So maybe it is best to say nothing. Or, it may be best to wait and, if all goes well, when you finally meet face-to-face, you can then let them know about the error.

But the error may have been a test. Perhaps they want to see if you read the material carefully. If you don't mention it, they might conclude that you are sloppy, you didn't read the material carefully (you missed the typo) or, you don't really know your profession that well (you missed the error).

This is an actual dilemma that some of my clients have faced. It's called "overthinking." Some people have to analyze things to death. Let's consider the two possibilities:

The person is so sensitive that they don't appreciate being informed of their mistakes. Is that the type of person with whom you would want to work or for whom you would want to work? I would hope not.

So that leaves the professional who will appreciate the notification. If that's the case, there's no problem. And if it was test, you passed it, so, again, no problem.

Just be polite. By the way, on page 2, first line of the second paragraph you wrote "too" instead of "to." Or, same location, you stated this but it is actually this. Here's a link to my source. No criticism. Just being matter of fact. No big deal. We all make mistakes.

If they don't appreciate it, you don't want them.

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Future Article:

The QUESTION that can sink a job interview.