Effective Language Tips for the Mature Worker
Yes, we can all speak effectively by the time we’re close to or into the “Senior Discount Years”. That doesn’t mean, though, that we all understand what is important to remember when in an interview, or even networking, situation. Please throw away any preconceived ideas about yourself or others and read this article with an open mind. If you incorporate these five basics of good business communication into each encounter, you will leave each interview knowing you aced the interpersonal hurdles and concentrated the content on your ability and qualifications for the job. The topics we’ll cover are respect, legality, brevity, friendliness, and being genuine.
As an interviewee we are automatically in the “one down” position. This doesn’t mean anyone is better or smarter or richer than you. It means that, initially, the people you speak with have the power to influence your future. Give them the respect they deserve. This respect needs to be directed toward everyone with whom you come in contact. Remember, the receptionist, janitor, food service person, administrative support person or interviewer is already an employee or associate of the company in which you are interested. Acknowledge and speak to each person you encounter with all the respect you would give to a future boss. Treat every contact with respect, honor, and if necessary, patience.
Before the interview carefully consider the language you use in referring to other people. No matter what their business, each company has employee guidelines discussing the need to keep their workplace free from discrimination, sexual harassment or a negative environment. Let them know you understand the full value of these guidelines by using only appropriate terms when referring to people’s sex, ethnic background, looks or abilities. A safe practice is to NEVER refer to people with slang terms or whatever colloquialisms are accepted in your circle of family or friends. If you really MUST differentiate an individual for some reason, respectful descriptors include terms such as man or woman to refer to sex, differently abled, or physically challenged to describe someone with an obvious disability, or Asian, Latino, Mexican American, Hispanic or Black when it’s necessary to delineate ethnic background. In the world of work the only acceptable terms for sex are man or male, or woman or female. Any woman in a working environment is a woman or young woman. There is never an excuse for using terms such as girls, chicks, ladies, boys, or guys. If you feel uneasy about using this terminology, just think about it. It costs you nothing to use the legally accepted words. It has cost many businesses hundreds of thousands of dollars in court when their associates have casually used unprofessional terms in the workplace. Who would you hire?
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