When writing professionally or speaking in a professional setting it’s best to pay close attention to your choice of words and phrases. Expressing yourself eloquently represents a business professional. Following are examples of words and/or phrases that have better alternatives.
Using phrases that imply negativity like no problem or not at all tend to indicate that it would be a problem to fulfill a request. A good alternative would be to use It will be my pleasure to.
Yeah or Yes have many other alternatives such as Absolutely, Certainly, or Gladly. These alternatives sound more professional.
Hey, Hi, and Bye can be acceptable but there are other options available as well. Good Evening/Morning/Afternoon show more interest than simply saying Hello. Wishing someone Have a wonderful evening/morning/afternoon are great substitutes for Goodbye.
When ending a letter, sincerely, can come across to personally. Using regards is less personal but still professional.
There are other small changes to look for when writing professionally.
Bypass gender specific terms unless you are familiar with your audience to avoid offending or confusing your readers/listeners.
Avoid using slang unless being used for appropriate reasons.
Ya’ll may be acceptable in certain regions but it’s best to stay away from such a broad term. Addressing your audience specifically is best.
The smallest difference in words can completely change how you represent yourself. Always remember being more formal sounds best and shows professionalism.
Just a few other words/phrases to consider.
It would be my honor.
I would love to.
Fantastic, Wonderful, Brilliant
Enjoyable, Outstanding
Definitely, Positively, Most assuredly
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This is a great post!
ReplyDeleteWe always need to be careful when carrying on a conversation online/in writing as opposed to in person because it is more difficult to show emotion. For example, a "..." after a thought often indicates a pause but it can often be misunderstood as being upset or unhappy.
The article makes some very good points about terms like 'no problem' might mean its a problem, or that 'good evening' shows more interest than a 'hi' or 'hello'.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I would like to read a little more on what is overdoing it. I have met 'business people' who drive me up a wall with their businesslike manners! They come off as kind of stuck up.
All in all, this article has very good phrases for writing and speaking on the professional field.
Great Post. I am a realtor and it is definatley hard to find the balance when it comes to professionalism. You do come over a little stuck up if you are overly formal and professional. But, you don't want to come across unpolished or overly casual. Fot the most part, I think being professional also has to be genuine and you have to be yourself, bottom line. Thanks for your post!
ReplyDeleteThis is definately a very helpful post. I work for an Insurance Agency, and it is always difficult with making sure you have a personal level with the client but still be professional at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI normally get compliments, like "You are so efficient" or "A pleasure to speak with"...its always good to hear that and to know that through learning the business that you can make sure you don't sound like a computer or like you are reading a script or something.
Thanks for your post...it was great!!!
I felt that this was a very resourcful blog.I feel like many times, people do not mean to come of negative but do by the use of one simple word i.e. not a problem. I use the word "Yeah" alot of times and looking at this post I can see how it would come of as not wanting to fulfill a request. I will start saying certainly or using other words that have that same effect. I want people to feel like I am happy to help them rather then them feeling like it is a burden. Thanks so much for your post.
ReplyDeleteI remember in a telephone job interview I was using yeah instead of yes. I had to catch myself and be more formal. There's a fine line, though, between being expressing and impressing. When your formal language crosses into impressing, you have gone too far.
ReplyDeleteBe sure and include your full name next to your title.
This post reflects the exact experice I had couple of weeks ago. I got hired at the Hilton about two months ago and I did not realize how bad I was speaking to our guests until my wonderful manager pulled me aside and gave me a one on one lesson on how to speak more propertly. She pretty much told me everything that you wrote in this article. It is truly impressive what a difference it makes, and to e honest it was not easy to break the old habits. I still catch myself saying many incorrect phrases, but now I am aware of these mistakes and try to correct them.
ReplyDeletegreat post!!!