Career Management Center

The Job Search

First Impressions: Some Of The Most Commonly Made Faux Pas

• Grammatical Mistakes
  lay/lie
  accept/except
  affect/effect
  sit/set
  raise/rise
  than/then
  whom/who
  among/between
  
  
  
• Giggling - Many people laugh to fill silent moments, rather than merely pausing. This is a distracting and unprofessional habit.
  
  
  
• Hand Gestures - Your hands should be used to enhance what you are saying rather than to detract from what is being said. Tests have shown that hands "above-board" rather than "in-pockets" project a more positive image. The only legitimate form of touch in business is the handshake. A pat, nudge or touch of the arm can be perceived as being too friendly.
  
  
  
• Throat Clearing - To fill a silence, many individuals clear their throats rather than swallowing. What about you?