Sloppy Speech Habits

You may look good on paper or in a suit but if you're looking to nail your big interview, looks aren't everything. How you sound is often more important. Countless job seekers let careless speech habits kill their chances of landing a job.

Here are six common language mistakes and how to keep them from ruining your interview:

1. Nonwords

Filler words such as "um," "ah," "you know," "OK" or "like" tell the interviewer you're not prepared. A better strategy is to think before you speak, taking pauses and breaths when you lose your train of thought.

2. Up-Talk

A singsong or rising inflection at the end of every sentence creates a tentative impression and makes it sound as though you're asking a question instead of making a definitive statement. You need to speak with conviction when selling yourself in an interview.

3. Grammatical Errors

The interviewer may question your education when you use incorrect grammar/slang. Expressions such as “ain't,” “she don't,” and “me & my friend” aren't appropriate. Be sure you speak in complete sentences and that tenses agree.

4. Sloppy Speech

Slurring words together or dropping their endings impairs the clarity of your message. To avoid slurring and increase understanding, speak slowly during an interview. Some common incorrect pronunciations include "aks" for "ask," "ath-a-lete" for "athlete," "wif" for "with" and "dree" for "three."

5. Speed Talking

While everybody is a bit anxious during an interview, you don't want your information to fly by like a speeding bullet. A rapid speaking rate is difficult to follow, and speed talkers are seen as nervous. Slow down your racing heart by doing some breathing exercises before the interview. Avoid rushing, listen to the question, and then count two beats in your head before answering. When you finish a sentence, count two beats again before continuing. Don't be afraid of silence. Pausing is an effective communication technique.

6. Weak Speak

Wimpy words modify or water down your conviction and in the end your position. When you pepper a conversation with "hopefully," "perhaps," "I feel," "kind of" and "sort of," the message you convey is a lack of confidence. Use power words such as "I'm confident that," "my track record shows," "I take the position that," "I recommend" or "my goal is."

You don't have to study elocution to speak well. Simply slow down, take time to pronounce all the syllables and leave slang at home.