Moving on to the next stage in life, whether college or a new job, usually requires you to present yourself in writing long before you ever interact with someone by phone or in person. Strong writing skills will allow you to create a good first impression by providing a resume or application with well-chosen, clearly stated information that is correctly formatted and free of errors. When submitting an application, confident writing is as important as a firm handshake.
As with any area of etiquette, the ability to properly format business letters or other formal writing is a sign of familiarity with the way a certain group of people work. Workers unwilling or unable to present their work in the forms that have become standard will find themselves unable to gain credibility in a workplace. Developing strong writing skills, on the other hand, will allow you to clearly and efficiently communicate your ideas and begin to influence decisions that matter.
Writing that is riddled with errors, informalities or shortcuts appears amateurish in a formal setting. Without strong writing skills, it is almost impossible to be taken seriously in business and academic settings. Whether you are writing reports for your boss or submitting a screenplay or novel you'd like to sell, chances are your work will not get more than a cursory look if it is not pristine in style and formatting. Poor writing implies incompetence in other areas, too.
Your own credibility and advancement are not the only goals strong writing skills will aid. There are many settings in which the ability to write clear, well-formatted, error-free and eloquent prose will allow you to express your love or respect for someone much more effectively. Whether it's a thank-you note to an interviewer, a letter of recommendation for an excellent employee or a birthday card to your grandmother, taking the time to write well communicates a degree of attention and care that is becoming increasingly rare.