Don’t let inexperience stop you from participating in meetings

As a young professional, you’ve probably been in this situation: You’re at a meeting and have something to say but wonder if you’re too junior, inexperienced or new to speak up. Maybe you’re uncertain about whether what you have to say is actually a good point, or you’re afraid that the people running the meeting don’t really want to hear from you. Or maybe you worry that if you open your mouth, your voice will shake or you’ll embarrass yourself.

The problem, of course, is that unless you do participate, you won’t catch the attention of your senior colleagues who have the power to bring your career to the next level.

The first thing you should do is gauge your company culture. Get a sense from your colleagues about the extent to which participation truly matters and is encouraged, where it is appropriate, and how to be heard effectively.

Once you’ve established when speaking up in meetings is helpful, prepare carefully. Keep an eye out for meetings on the horizon and review agendas. If you see an opportunity to add an item to an agenda that you’re comfortable discussing, suggest it. When you find a topic that you think you might be able to chime in on, do your homework on the issues involved, and develop an informed set of questions or contributions in advance of the meeting.

When the actual meeting rolls around, look for ways to participate meaningfully. Find something to share that will make senior staff not only notice you but also see your potential. Refer to the projects you are currently working on to demonstrate your relevant experience.

Keep in mind that while you’ll want to impress your senior colleagues, you’ll also want to avoid coming across as arrogant. One way to do this is to lean on evidence and preface what you say with a connection to the work you’ve done. Another way to show your insight is to ask good questions.

Once the meeting has ended, don’t let that be the end of your participation. Volunteering for follow-up work that comes up during the meeting is a great way to get involved, get to know key people, show your motivation and have something to offer in the next meeting.

If there aren’t action items to take on, think about other ways to continue the discussion. You might find a senior colleague and debrief with them, sharing your input and asking for theirs.

Meetings can be time-consuming and stressful, but they provide a great opportunity for junior employees to show their worth and get involved in the critical work of the organization. Don’t let your inexperience be a liability. Do what you can to be active and involved, and it should pay great dividends in the future.