things that make you look unprofessional

Professionalism is funny because it’s almost never lost in one dramatic, career-ending moment. It’s rarely the big presentation gone wrong or the obvious mistake everyone saw happen. More often, it slips away quietly—in the small moments no one mentions to your face. It’s not your old Facebook photos, although you should stop reading this and go delete them now. At least change the privacy settings on them, for everyone’s sake.

It’s the email you forgot to answer and then replied to four days later as if no time had passed. It’s arriving seven minutes late and breezing in like lateness is part of your personality. It’s asking someone for their time without being clear about what you actually need. It’s over explaining yourself. Oversharing. Sending a message that creates more work for the recipient instead of less. It’s talking when you should be listening. It’s mentioning how your phone isn’t working and you just haven’t had time to get a new one because you’re “so” busy.

Nobody cares. We are also busy.

Okay guys, so, none of these feel catastrophic, which is exactly why they’re dangerous. They feel minor. Forgivable. Easy to overlook. But people are paying attention in ways you don’t always realize. They notice how you follow through. They notice whether your communication feels calm or chaotic. They notice whether interacting with you feels easy—or like another item on their to-do list. Nobody needs another task from you. Try to make someone’s day easier, even if you are asking them for something.

The truth is, professionalism isn’t about being stiff or overly polished. No one is asking you to sound like a corporate handbook or wear a navy sheath dress and carry a legal pad like it’s 2007. It’s about self-awareness. It’s about understanding that how you do small things becomes how people assume you’ll do everything. How you do one thing is how you do every thing.

The most impressive people in any room are rarely loud about their professionalism and they probably aren’t wearing a suit. They’re the people who make others feel at ease. They’re prepared. Clear. Considerate. Their timing is good. Their communication is sharp. They know when to speak, when to reply, when to leave, and when to let silence do the work. The most professional people do use all the features available to them on Google, LOL iykyk. Set a fucking reminder if you’re forgetful.

And perhaps most importantly: they never make their lack of planning someone else’s problem. That, more than almost anything, reads as professional. If you set a meeting or a call with someone, add it to their calendar, what are you a toddler? I’m upset just thinking about this.

I realize nobody teaches these things, which is exactly why I started becomewellversed.com — and yes that’s my shameless plug because I’m so tired of seeing so many talented and smart women come across as unprofessional. Well Versed is a charm school. We teach you the things nobody else will. We teach you how to move in the world so you don’t look like a fucking joke when you’re trying to find success at work, in social circles, or even in your own bubble of people who claim to love and respect you.

Please, grow up, take yourself seriously, maybe even invest in yourself. Spend some time auditing how you operate so you can level up. Start scheduling your emails. I don’t know what you specifically need to get to your next level, but if you need help figuring it out, you know where to find me.