At least once per day I overhear a conversation and cringe. It could be with a co-worker, a friend, or a stranger on the street, but it happens every day. The problem is not what is being said, it is the language that is being used.

For the most part I like to advocate a firm barrier between one’s professional and private lives, but the unfortunate fact is that the way many of us speak in our personal conversations is destroying our professional credibility and even our ability to communicate with others.

Don Reisinger has an interesting article up at CNET called How the Web is Killing My Ability to Communicate. In it he explains why common slang and short forms (such as LMAO and BRB) are infiltrating his day-to-day conversations and how it is keeping his wife from understanding what he is trying to say.

While this example isn’t a “job hunting” example, it draws an interesting parallel. Even though current business trends seem to point towards an integration between business and social media (as evidenced by the number of companies popping up in Twitter), it doens’t mean that business isn’t conducted in a formal matter. Sadly, a lack of formality could cost you a job.

During my time in University, I had a Professor who gave a long talk on the abuse of the word “Like” (which is documented in my book). Some people have a tendency to use it as a filler in almost every sentence. For example:

So I, like, went to the mall with some friends.

Like, what do you want to do tonight?

You know, like…

Someone once described this to me as “Valley Girl talk”, but its use is bleeding into our everyday conversations. If you listen hard enough, the word is everywhere. Unfortunately, using it in this way destroys your credibility and your ability to be persuasive.

The point that I am trying to make is that you need to be extremely careful about your language and how you use it, particularily when you are looking for work. Overusing “filler” words, or using popular slang will ensure that you never land a job. Stay on top of your language and you will be more successful at showing your professional side.

Related posts:

1. Poor Language Results In A Longer Job Search
2. Why Body Language Matters
3. Gradversity Quick Tip #9: Proactive Language
4. 7 Ways To Ruin An Interview
5. Big Unemployment Numbers Spell Trouble For Your Job Search

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