A List of Non-Sense You

Say That Make You

Instantly Unprofessional
CAREER ADVICE WORK BY ALEXIA BULLARD

While the old adage, Actions speak louder than words, may have some
definite truth to it, there are some words and phrases that career-
minded, successful people say every day. On the other side of the
proverbial coin, there are also some things that unprofessional,
unsuccessful people tend to spout off. Sometimes, they are not even
aware that they are doing it. So many of these phrases have become
social norms, making it difficult to break the habit of using them in your
daily conversations. Unfortunately, they are doing more harm than good.

When it comes to their staff, managers and other employers only want
the best employees working for them. As an employee, you represent the
company. As an independent contractor, business owner, or freelancer,
you represent your own brand. How you come across is just as important
as the quality of your work. Sounding unprofessional reflects poorly on
you, on your brand, and on your company. This, in turn, adversely affects
your reputation.

To make sure you arent letting these unprofessional statements slip

while in your place of work, below is a comprehensive list of syllogistic
sayings that you may not even realize you are using. These
unprofessional quotes are quite common, and range from petty to whiny,
to just downright rude. No matter the tone they convey, or the context in
which they are said, all of them should be avoided. Since coming across
as unprofessional is a definite no-no in a place of work, it is best to
avoid using any of the following 51 phrases.

Take pride in your brand, and keep your employer or clients happy, by
keeping these phrases out of your repertoire:

1. Im not feeling well enough.

2. Im just doing what you told me to do.

3. That was my idea!

4. No problem.

5. Im a guru.

6. I know you have to go, but let me just tell you one more thing.

7. Its our policy.

8. Look what I bought!

9. I thought of that first!

10. Absolutely.

11. Ill start tomorrow.

12. Sorry (not sorry).

13. Sorry, I forgot.

14. Sorry Im late.

15. %$#@^*&

16. Full disclosure

17. Im so hung-over.

18. Weve always done it this way.

19. I assume

20. Because Im the boss.

21. Look how much I saved!

22. Im overwhelmed!

23. Im kind of a big deal.

24. What will it take to get you to buy? (to get you in this car
today, to get you to sign up, etc.)

25. Its probably not very good.

26. Youre so smart! (Any form of sucking up is unprofessional.)

27. Its not fair!

28. Thats just how it is.

29. Its none of your business.

30. Before you say that, let me just say

31. Thats not my job.

32. Sucker.

33. Weve got big plans!

34. Theyll never notice.

35. I cant forgive.

36. Thats nothing.

37. Lets go along in order to get along.

38. Thats too hard.

39. I already know that.

40. You must have read into things.

41. I couldve done it better.

42. Im not impressed.

43. Thats a stupid idea.

44. Information is a commodity.

45. Itll be OK.

46. You wouldnt understand.

47. Know your place.

48. Could be

49. Im not afraid.

50. Thats my secret.

51. I dont know why they asked me

52. Why? (As opposed to Why not?)

You would not want to be seen slacking off, wearing an inappropriate
outfit in the office, or doing a poor job. Why? Because doing those things
make you seem unprofessional. This holds true for everything you say in
your place of employment, just as much as it does for your behavior.
Your employer judges you by both, and so do your customers and/or
clients. As such, its best to avoid saying this list of phrases that make you
seem anything less than the professional you wish to be seen as.