Our alma mater has been our practice ground for years. It equips us with knowledge and skills as we prepare for the time when we need to step out into the real world. However, there is still a significant difference when we are finally on the actual scene.
Even though we have some experience and insight on how the business world works, it is still nerve-wracking to be away from the roof of your school, which has been your shelter for two decades. We are in a new territory and beyond the basic protocol; there is always a question on how one should act.
Usually, this dilemma falls on proper communication between colleagues or employer-employee relationship, as it is most of the time a tricky business. To appear more professional and less than a girl or boy fresh out of school, here are the communicating habits you should avoid.
Questions
Inquisitive employees are being valued at work, as they display great interest and give an impression of thinking deeply. However, it is not good to always have your sentences always ending with a question mark.
People will upon you as if you don’t know how to make decisions and lack common sense if you ask every step of the way. You’re still learning the rope, yes; however, being independent has its plus sides.
Profanities
This goes without saying, but it is always good to be reminded what to avoid even they are already obvious. If at school, it’s okay to use profanities as an adjective, it is a different matter at work.
Your colleagues are not always your football buddies (still highly unprofessional, even if they are) and using profanities all the time as a substitute for adjectives will gain you frowns and shaking of heads. Even if they are not directed to the person you are talking to, they are still rude, unprofessional and will make you look lazy to even think of simple response.
Fillers
In or out of office, fillers are always a sign of bad communication. Example fillers are um, uh, like, so, etc. These few letter words can easily mar your credibility as a person and as a professional.
Your statements will have less meaning, less impact, and less regard, because of weak and less concise delivery. It is a clear sign you are not quite ready to take on the hurdles thrown into the real world.
Fillers also make you inarticulate, which are highly looked down. Do yourself a favor and refrain from using these words. Whenever you lost your train of thoughts, it is okay to pause and gather your thoughts. Only don’t take too long. It means you are unprepared.
Punctuations and Emoticons
You can get your point across without using too many exclamation points. Instead of making an impact, a misplaced punctuation reeks of childishness. Skip it in a working environment and only on a text to your friends.
This is also the same for emoticons. A smiley face at the end of an email can be a strategic move; one which can make you look approachable and open to ideas. However, further than that will be a stretch (e.g. after every sentence).
Long and Short Emails
How do you know if your email is too long or too short? Stick to the requirements. Be sure you answered every question in details with figures if necessary.
On the other hand, skip beat around the bush. Make the first and second sentence the key ideas. Be as informative as you can while still maintaining brevity.
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