Want to Be Taken More Seriously? 11 Tips Any Young Professional Can Use

If you’re a young college student you can, like, totally be forgiven for acting like a ditz. But once you enter the real world, it’s time to start acting like a mature, responsible adult. This means dressing and speaking like a grown up, and making the kind of choices that show you’re a strong, independent adult who wants to be taken seriously. Your path to success starts with reading these 11 tips.

1. Improve your posture

Do you slump your shoulders when sitting or walk with your head down? Not only do these postures convey a sense of meekness, they straight up show the world that you don’t give a shizzle. Keep your shoulders straight, your head up high, and let everybody know that you’re a big deal. Stay relaxed though; you don’t want to mimic a marching soldier.

2. Ditch the multi-colored outfits

Those multi-colored outfits might look cute, but they also make you look six. If you want to dress for success, choose solid monochrome colors.

3. Eliminate “umm” “I think” and “like” from your vocabulary

These filler words are completing unnecessary and give the impression that you’re not that smart or clever as you’re. If you are trying to come up with a response and can’t find the right words immediately, silent pauses as you gather your thoughts show intelligence and maturity.

4. Speak with a lower-pitched voice

Studies have found that people respect both men and women if they speak with a lower-pitched voice. If you want to show that you’re a leader, your pitch makes a big difference. Of course, this isn’t to say you have to have the rich, deep baritone Barry White voice. The key is to speak with authority.