Yes! 8 ways to be professional at work

Profession other name is a jobs. One of the most important aspects to succeeding in your job is to behave in a professional manner. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to wear a suit everyday but it does mean you should consider how you conduct yourself during working hours. Your actions should reflect the values of the company and the culture. So what exactly does it mean when people say you should behave professionally? Depending on where you work and what your job is, the definition of professional might be different. However, that being said, there are certain qualities that are common amongst all professional people. Have a read below to see what some of them are.

1. Be on time
Punctuality is a an excellent quality to have. Not only will it reduce your stress levels – because let’s face it, it can be rather stressful if you’re running late. But it will also show that you value everyone’s time and you take your job seriously. Being professional at work means starting on time and starting meetings on time. If you’re not a punctual individual do yourself a favour and get in the habit of always being on time.

2. Avoid the gossip
It’s unfortunate to have to say this but no matter where you work there is a good chance some kind of “office gossip” will occur. Make sure you do your best to stay out of it – if you do manage to avoid the gossip and stay away from the drama this will help you to establish a reputation for professionalism.
3. Own your mistakes
This is a big part of growing up. Rather than trying to hide when you’ve made a mistake you should look to own it and then fix it. Nothing screams unprofessional more than attempting to dodge responsibility. Generally speaking, if you make a mistake it won’t be a catastrophe – there are exceptions of course, for example: a surgeon or captain of a nuclear submarine. If you make a mistake the professional thing to do is to admit it and fix it.

4. Show respect
Aretha Franklin sang about respect in the 60s and her message is still relevant today even in the workplace. The best way to get respect is to show respect, show your colleagues some common courtesy and be polite. Even if you work with people you don’t like you should still treat them how you would want to be treated – avoid being rude or even gossiping behind their back. It might even help to minimise the amount of interaction you have with any people you don’t see eye-to-eye with.

5. Feedback isn’t personal
A lot of people seem to forget this piece of wisdom. When someone gives you feedback on your work, even negative feedback, it’s not personal (most of the time). If you respond in a negative or defensive way you will send out a signal to your coworkers that you’re unprofessional and fragile. Even if you aren’t worried about how professional you seem, receiving feedback is an excellent way to grow as a person and you should try to make yourself receptive to it and then act on it.

6. Be positive
Positivity begets positivity. If you have a positive outlook you’re less likely to be affected by a negative coworker and you’re more likely to look forward to challenges and new opportunities. A positive attitude is a great way to be seen as professional, especially if you take advantage of opportunities to learn and grow to improve your career.

7. Communicate clearly and confidently
Show your professionalism at work by speaking and writing with both clarity and confidence. Avoid using slang during verbal and written communications. Become an active listener during meetings and discussions, and wait until the other person has finished speaking before you contribute. Articulate your words by slowing down your pace and actively think about what you’re saying. If you’re confident in your communication you should be able to speak up if you notice any issues that might arise.

8. Get the job done
At the end of the day, you can be the most positive, most punctual employee in the office but if you don’t get the job done, you will be seen as unprofessional and maybe even incompetent. In order to be professional at work, you need to be someone who meets deadlines, stays focused and productive. If you’re not good at managing your time effectively, create a task list and prioritise.
How professional you are at work is entirely up to you. Don’t get trapped in an unprofessional spiral, do your career a favour and act in a manner suitable to your workplace.

1. Which words should be avoided on your CV?
2. How to give your interview question answer?