The Sound of Your Voice

The tone of your voice and the phrases you use can make or break you. We have already cautioned against using baby talk. Some of us talk far too fast for most people to understand what we are saying. Some of us are in the habit of finishing other people;s sentences for them, a habit that definitely annoys the speaker. Some of us don't know when to speak up, and some don't know when to shut up.

Think of how you end your sentences. Do you tend to end sentences with a phrase such as "you know," or "and all that" or "OK?" Just one of these can prevent others from perceiving you as an intelligent adult with something worthwhile to say. Also, be careful that you don't end a statement as if it were a question. If you seem to question your own argument, how can you expect others to take it seriously?

Educated or not, far too many people use poor grammar in their speech and writing. These mistakes can very quickly eliminate your chances for the career you seek. You notice it when someone violates a grammatical rule with which you are familiar. You can be sure that others are noticing the mistakes you make.