7 types of words you need to stop capitalizing

7 types of words you need to stop capitalizing7 types of words you need to stop capitalizingLook, I dont want to rain on NASAs interplanetary parade.In 2014, NASA scientists did send the new Orion spacecraft 3,604 miles beyond Earth as they prep to one day put humans on Mars.Remarkable achievement. Bravos all around. Yet even an historic flight into outer space doesnt excuse writing errors.NASA Administrator Charles Bolden Jr. called the space mission Day One of the Mars era.Lets examine Boldens words. He capitalized words that feel important to him (Day One and Mars). As for era? Meh, leid as notable. LowercaseThe corrected version day one of the Mars era. The only proper noun in the phrase is Mars.Ladders is now on SmartNewsDownload the SmartNews app and add the Ladders channel to read the latest career news and advice wherever you go.Capitalization matters. When you handle upper and lowercase words like a pro, it shows poise, smarts and maturity. Proper capitalization is one more way to distance yourself from the competition (just like a storytelling cover letter).Here are seven types of words we need to stop capitalizing.1. Job titlesIncorrect I am a Marketing Coordinator at Acme Industries.Correct I am a marketing coordinator at Acme Industries.Explanation Job titles are lowercase unless they come before your name (ex Marketing Coordinator Jane Doe is ).More on job titles and capitalization.2. College majorsIncorrect In college, I Majored in Political Science and Minored in Religious Studies.Correct In college, I majored in political science and minored in religious studies.Explanation College majors and minors are lowercase. Uppercase comes into play if you describe the actual program/school (ex I studied political science at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin).3. Special occasionsIncorrect Classic Facebook post - Thanks to everyone for the Birthday wishesCorrect Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishesE xplanation Words like birthday, anniversary, reunion and gala are lowercase. If you describe an event with a proper name (Lizzys Surprise 30th Birthday Bash), then its uppercase. Also, Happy Birthday is capitalized if you write, Happy Birthday, Zack Its lowercase when you write, I hope you have a happy birthday4. Important-sounding career wordsIncorrect Common phrase in a resume objective votum - Experienced Team Leader with strong Organizational Skills and a Successful career in Management.Correct Experienced team leader with strong organizational skills and a background in management.Explanation We dont capitalize non-specific career words no matter how important they seem (Successful). If you attend the Acme Team Leader Training Seminar, then the words are uppercase because theyre part of a proper title.To make your resume objective statement to be even more correct (and impressive), remove adjectives like Successful altogether. Read this post - Ill explain.5. SeasonsIncorrect I began at Acme Industries in the Fall of 2012.Correct I began at Acme Industries in the thema of 2012.Explanation Seasons are lowercase unless part of a proper title (ex Fall Fling Art Show).6. DirectionsIncorrect After college, I headed West to Los Angeles to pursue acting.Correct After college, I headed west to Los Angeles to pursue acting.Explanation Directions are lowercase. If you write about a specific part of the country, then its uppercase (I live on the East Coast.)7. Any other word that feels special but isnt a proper nounYour time at the political internship made a big impact on your career. Awesome. That doesnt mean you had an Internship. Nope, still an internship. Its not a proper noun.However, if you write about your experience in The White House Internship Program, then Internship is capitalized.See the difference?Capitalization is a small detail, I know. But then again, the little stuff often makes the biggest difference.Thiscolumnfirst appeared onDannyhRubin.com.