Gen-Y: How to Not Give Away Your Age and Lose Credibility at Work

As generation-Y is coming into the work force, our age has become one of our biggest liabilities. In order to blend into the work force, we have to make certain concessions, it's the only way we could possibly attain any credibility among our older peers.

At some point or another, we all have to say farewell to the college social norms and operate under a completely different set of rules.

Dress Professionally but Comfortably

Gen-Y professionals might go a little overboard in trying to blend in with the crowd.

Once upon a time, I had to go to a very formal business affair, a sort of meet-and-greet for young female students who aspired to be highly paid businesswomen. We would meet possible employers and most of us were dying to show that we were more than young upstarts. We were there to impress and most of us dressed like it too.

I saw everything from the naughty secretary look to the polyester Hillary Clinton pants suits. It was a fairly interesting night. I opted for black pants, blazer and fancy looking red blouse with flat shoes that were obviously created for comfort. By comparison, I was under dressed but I was comfortable.

Even though I didn't look as fabulous as some of the other girls, it worked out in my favor. At the end of the day, I shook the hand of a big time banker who informed me that I had my priorities right - instead of concentrating on what I wore, I came in confident, comfortable and ready to impress based on what I did and said, not how I look.

Refrain from talking about what you used to do in school

Some of your colleagues will have kids that are your age.

I've been in the awkward position of keeping my mouth shut when my colleagues (sometimes even my subordinates) talk about their kids. Sometimes, their children were even older than me! They talked about their children's prom night, and I unwittingly mentioned that I still remembered mine pretty well! High School for me was only four years ago, I still keep some close ties with my old High School Community and my memories of my teens are still vivid.

Unfortunately, it's hard for someone to take their kid's seriously as adults and the last thing you want to do is have them associate you with their children. Avoid talking about your school days unless it's very relevant to the task at hand. I would especially avoid talking about High School. For most people that's a distant memory.

If they're on your Facebook, refrain from posting the beer pong pictures

Facebook is beginning to become a tool not just for the collegiate! It's also for professionals too. Almost everyone has a facebook... even your boss. You have the choice of making yourself look like someone who can be taken seriously, or a person still sucking on the beer bong and streaking down College Avenue. I know that everyone thought you were awesome at the party, the pictures of that party were also great and would be fun to share with those not fortunate enough to have attended.

The real question is will your boss and future colleagues like you coming off as a party animal? What's more important? Telling people how fun you are or giving off a professional image where you come off as a reliable asset to your company?