I read a terrific article in Forbes on six words business professionals should eliminate from their professional vocabulary to elevate your brand, especially when you’re interviewing. Women especially use some of these phrases without even realizing it. They include:

  • Honestly
  • Just
  • Things
  • Sorry
  • Hopefully
  • Filler phrases such as “um, ah, like, right”

These filler words make us sound less confident, less professional and somewhat immature. I know I use “like” and “um” quite a bit. Make a conscious effort to stop yourself the next time you start to utter these words and ask your close friends and colleagues to point out when you do it.