Jan 26 2009
Be friendly but not foolish with your professors
I actually received a message from a student and they referred to me as “Hey.” Now I’m not an uptight person, but this greeting is just inexcusable in a professional setting. When communicating a message, think of your audience and the impression you want to make.
Examples of completely unprofessional phrases:
- “Wassup!” Yes, I have received salutations that began with this highly casual and informal slang phrasing. It makes me wonder whether students who feel comfortable using this phrase with their college professor would also use it to their potential employer.
- “Hey Prof!” This is by no means an offensive term, but it is an unrefined way of speaking with your instructor. Why not simply write, “Hello Professor”? Random abbreviations are not necessarily signs of warmth and friendliness. It is poor judgment to assume everyone will like such a cozy salutation.
- “How’s it hanging?” Yes, I have also received messages with this opening line, and in a business setting, it is a waste of valuable communication space. This statement makes the writer look incapable of holding an intelligent conversation.
- “U gonna b online 2day?” Indeed, students continue to use text-message abbreviations in formal e-mail communications. Again, this shows that the writer is completely unaware of the most basic professional communication standards.
Good communication practices are vital not just in school but in the professional world. Most people lose out on jobs and promotions because they don’t know how to communicate well. If you want to earn positive attention (instead of quiet disdain), work on building strong communication skills. Honestly, in the workplace, people will seldom explain why you’re not getting promoted. They’re more likely to simply laugh at you behind your back.
If you want to be known for your strong work ethic and good ideas, learn how to present yourself well in many ways.
