4.2: Share with a Friend
It can be difficult to edit our own writing because we tend to see and hear what we think we wrote rather than read the words on the page. It is useful to have someone with "fresh eyes" review your work. Most novelists enlist the help of a trusted friend or relative to read their work before they send it to their publisher.
Do you have a friend or colleague to serve as your outside reviewer? They can be especially helpful as you perfect important documents, such as your resume and cover letter. In a competitive job market, one typo or extra space can prompt a hiring manager to move to the next candidate. Your friend or colleague may discover a lot of typos, but it is better to receive this news from them than from your boss or a potential employer (who you will probably never hear from). Ask your colleague to identify areas that seemed confusing or where the flow of your argument seemed convoluted.
This handout will help you ask for the most helpful feedback.