In the 21st century, most things are digitized. This can be both a great asset, and a terrible clutch for people in the modern working world.
Writing skills such as grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, proofreading, editing, and overall composure have taken a backseat to being an attractive employee, unless you’re working specifically in a field that requires these skills. Oftentimes, these skills are taught on the job, as they fluctuate by the company, but overall, a good set of writing skills can help you succeed right out of the gate as an employee.
For example, take your resume and any email correspondence between you and a future or current employer. If you don’t have writing skills, you can’t easily communicate your ideas, thoughts, or notations. A resume should be direct, to the point, and have relevant information; without writing skills, you can’t easily determine what information is relevant, nor can you determine what concise language would be best to use, since resumes are often adjusted per job application. Though they all contain similar or even the same information, highlighting certain skills, assets, certifications, or licensures can easily help you get an interview.
Writing skills also translate to listening and communicating skills. Communication is key in any functional work environment; whether it’s through email, over text or the phone, or face-to-face, humans thrive and succeed with communication. Work environments require similar communication as a resume does; concise, clear, direct. Having a higher degree of writing skills also teaches you to listen. You’re more open to what people have to say because you can reiterate it to them in a way that makes sense to the both of you.
Even in the Twenty-First Century, writing skills are a vital part of any functional company.