Language! in the workplace

Posted by Andrew on February 17, 2017

In the digital era, an increasing amount of our communication occurs through social media. 150 character tweets, hashtags on Instagram and status updates on Facebook are all popular modes of expressions for immediate reactions and thoughts on trending topics. For longer and more in-depth analysis people often turn to writing ‘stream of consciousness’ style Tumblr posts or even blogs. However all of these mediums are informal modes of communication.

For a lot of us as digital natives we have become so accustomed to this informal communication that we often struggle when expressing ourselves formally. However the way we communicate and express ourselves makes a lasting impression upon the person you are speaking to. This is especially important in the workplace.

During the recruitment process, it is more than likely that your first impression will be through your resume. It is incredibly important to ensure that your resume is free of any grammatical errors or spelling mistakes. It is the first indicator to an employer of how interested you are in the role and/or how passionate you are about the job itself.

When you talk to the employer whether it be on the telephone or in a face to face interview, make sure you use appropriate language in order to present a professional front. Simple changes really matter, such as Yes instead of Yeah and avoiding words like ‘Youz’ etc. Make sure to be polite and remember etiquette rules such as saying Thank you. These tiny details will make lasting impressions upon the employer.

Once you are selected for the role, make sure you continue to remain professional when amongst colleagues, clients or customers. Any communication, whether it be over email or text, needs be well presented. Do not use slang words, or ‘text language’ especially as most communication is likely to act as a written record if required, Abusive language is never tolerated and is most likely to have consequences. Language matters, so make sure it becomes your strength rather than your weakness. Use it to your advantage and it will aid you in your professional life.

Thanks again to Miloni to for this blog.