Were you always hesitant to raise your hand in class? Do you have a hard time talking in large groups? If so, you are not alone. And I’m guessing since you are now at your first job you want to step out of your comfort zone and speak up at work.

You have opinions and want to express them, so first you need to forget about those demons that keep you from speaking up:

• You feel intimated by others.
• Your afraid of rejection.
• Your afraid of confrontation.
• You don’t want attention on you
• Your afraid no one will listen.

Instead you need to be thinking:

• I deserve it!
• I’ll get noticed (in a positive way).
• I’ll earn more respect.
• I’ll show others I’m actively engaged.
• I’ll learn more.

Voicing your opinions, objections and questions at work has an enormous impact on you job fulfillment. Everyone deserves a voice, even the young professional, so if you are looking to confidently speak up at work try these seven tips:

1. Listen First. Always listen and absorb what is being said before making your contribution to the conversation.
2. Be Selective. Only talk when you believe you have something important to say, which adds value to the conversation. If you have an opinion on everything people will stop listening.
3. Time and Place. There are always appropriate times and places for speaking up. Take notice of your surroundings, and then make a decision.
4. Tact and Diplomacy. Since you will be in a professional environment keep you tone professional and language neutral and non-judgmental. Always be sensitive to the feelings of others and use your senses to gauge the environment.
5. Be Polite. Apply the basic social skills you learned as a kid to the workplace too. Don’t interrupt others, raise your voice, or use profanity.
6. Back It Up. In the workplace people want proof that you know what you are talking about. Have your supporting data ready, before you start talking.
7. Zip It. When you do speak, keep it concise. People will start to tune out if you ramble on and on.