Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Presenting yourself in a professional manner
• Part 2 of 3: Communicate effectively
• Part 3 of 3: Dealing with others professionally

Being professional is one of the most important aspects of success at work. Your professionalism can open the door to other career opportunities, a raise, or even a bonus. Your attitude towards your employer, colleagues and your customers must be friendly and professional at all times; from how you present and communicate yourself to how you interact with others at work.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Presenting yourself in a professional manner

1. Make sure you are well-groomed and dressed appropriately. You must go to work clean and well-groomed every day to ensure a professional appearance. You should also dress for business based on the dress code of the organization you work for. Avoid clothing that is too tight or revealing, and don't wear things you think might not be appropriate for your job.
   • Check the clothing expectations of your workplace by paying attention to what colleagues wear. If everyone is wearing conservative attire such as a suit and shirt and long skirts, change your own clothing accordingly. Many workplaces have a business casual dress code, where jeans or jeans are allowed, as long as you look professional. Also take into account bright colors and busy designs.
   • Cover as much of any tattoos as possible and remove all piercings unless the lead has no problem with it.
2. Follow the cultural norms of the organization where you work. Watch colleagues in your office to find out how things work. Observe how others dress and how colleagues lower their voice when someone is on the phone nearby, or go to the staff room for more mundane conversations.
   • You may also notice how your colleagues work during appointments with customers, and how everyone always shows up on time for a meeting or a few minutes early. Pay attention to the behavior of others to get a sense of what is considered professional in your workplace.
3. Be on time for meetings and discussions. In most workplaces, you will be expected to be on time for all meetings and scheduled calls, and to show up at work for a set amount of time each day. If you are unsure about the expectations around the start time of the workday, ask your superior. Most offices expect their employees to be in the office early in the morning to answer any customer queries over the phone and to ensure that the office is open during normal business hours.
   • If possible, try to get to meetings five minutes early to get things in order before the meeting starts. Don't arrive more than 10 minutes early for a meeting, as it can mess up other people's schedules and even be annoying for colleagues.
   • Make sure you have your belongings and papers in order before the meeting starts. Dare to participate or give your opinion if you are asked to do so.
4. Maintain a positive attitude. A business attitude is often positive and motivated. To be successful you will need to demonstrate that you have the skills and knowledge to perform your duties and responsibilities. But in addition to expertise and knowledge, your employer values ​​a professional attitude that radiates character and integrity.
   • Try to be an honest, trustworthy, positive hard worker every day. Your job should be important to you, and you should value your successes no matter how big or small they are.

Part 2 of 3: Communicate effectively

1. Take a notepad with you to meetings and conversations. Make sure you cannot forget any tasks or appointments by always writing them down in a notepad intended for that purpose. You can use a digital notepad or pen and paper. Show your professionalism by taking notes during meetings to keep everything organized and up to date.
2. Speak clearly and speak up when necessary. To communicate professionally, you need to show that you can write and speak confidently and clearly. Be an active listener in meetings and discussions and wait for someone to finish speaking before sharing your thoughts. Speak slowly and succinctly so that everyone can understand your points and write them down.
   • Avoid talking about someone else and apologize if you accidentally interrupt someone.
   • If you notice problems related to a particular project or customer, talk to colleagues and supervisors about them. Don't ignore or avoid these conflicts. Instead, face them by alerting others to the issues and work together to try to resolve the issue.
   • If it concerns a sensitive topic, make an appointment for private consultation with your manager.
3. Unless you need to discuss something in person, use email or phone. Most workplaces encourage you to manage your time effectively via email or phone call, to discuss small decisions or issues. Don't call a meeting for topics that can be resolved in five minutes with a quick email exchange or phone call. Wasting other people's time through unnecessary meetings can seem unprofessional.
   • Research your question or problem yourself before bringing it to everyone's attention. Look through your emails or office memos to make sure you haven't missed any information that has been circulated.
   • There may be a reason why you want to call a meeting to discuss an important issue. If so, send an email meeting invitation to your colleagues and / or clients. Check your colleagues' schedules to make sure they are available during the suggested time.
4. Learn to accept and act on feedback. Another important way to act professionally is to be willing to learn from feedback. Remember that good feedback about your work and your results should go. It should never be personal. Getting angry or defensive about feedback can make you appear unprofessional. Instead, focus on learning from feedback and use it to improve the way you do things at work.

Part 3 of 3: Dealing with others professionally

1. Avoid office politics and gossip. It can be difficult not to get sucked into the gossip and backbiting in an office, especially if you are new to the workplace and just getting to know your colleagues. But by keeping yourself out of office politics and gossip, you gain a professional reputation and don't get too involved in rumors or gossip.
   • Not talking about your colleagues behind their backs and gossiping is also respectful to your colleagues and shows that you are willing to be honest and clear with them.
2. Treat your colleagues with kindness and respect. This also includes colleagues you may not get along with or disagree with. If you have a colleague that you cannot work with, do not work directly with that person, if possible. You may want to consider talking to your boss or supervisor if you have constant problems with the work attitude and performance of the coworker.
3. Consider treating your boss as a mentor. If your boss sees potential in you as an employee, they can try to act as your mentor. It's important to maintain a relationship with your boss that is professional and humble. Don't pretend you know more about your job than your boss, or that you're unwilling to learn new skills or take their advice to heart.
   • When your mentor is also your boss, this can lead to better career opportunities and the opportunity to expand your existing set of skills.