Have you ever thought about your come across in the workplace to work colleaues and your Managers? How professional do they pereive you to be? 

Professionalism is something we must all strive for when it comes to the world of work. 

Professionalism isn’t just for those who work in industries that brand them ‘professionals’, it applies to everyone. You may wonder if people notice your behaviour at work. In fact, your boss, customers and colleagues will all continuously notice how you carry yourself at work. In addition to this, they will also notice if you lack professionalism entirely and if you are, it may even diminish your chances of a promotion or even risk losing your job altogether.

Here are 5 quick and easy tips to make you more professional 

1. Be a good time keeper 

If you’re constantly arriving late to work, you’re giving your boss and colleagues the impression that your job is not important to you. If you’re giving off the impression that you don’t care about your job, this will also affect everyone you work with. You’re ultimately giving the impression that you don’t value their time, which is detrimental to work relationships. Whether you have to watch the clock or set alarms, you need to be showing up a little early before work and when returning from breaks too.

2. Stick to an appropriate dress-code

Regardless of whether you’re expected to dress up for work or wear more casual clothes, you should always appear neat and clean. An un-ironed suit looks no better than a pair of shorts and flip-flops. Be sure to choose the type of clothing your employer requires. If your workplace doesn’t have a dress code, pick an attire that is normal for your place of work. 

Tip: Flip-flops, shorts and tank tops should be kept purely for weekends as well as any clothes that are better suited for clubbing. 

 3. Watch your language

Swearing or cussing has no place in most workplaces. Unless you’re sure that it’s okay in your job, you should always refrain from using any foul language, especially in front of those who may seem easily offended. The best way to ensure you don’t use the wrong language at work is to think, if your grandparents wouldn’t say it, it has no place for work either.

4. Offer a hand to your colleagues

A true professional is always willing to help others. If you notice that your colleague is struggling, offer to help. If you share knowledge, opinions or simply a pair of hands, you’ll reflect well to the rest of your team. Although keep in mind that you can come across as pushy so make sure you’re backing down when your colleague rejects the offer, they may simply prefer to work alone. 

5. Keep the negativity to a minium 

We all know how contagious negativity can be. If you’re constantly complaining about work, it will bring those around you down. Additionally, your boss will also not appreciate a drop in morale due to your negativity. However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t speak up. If you notice something that needs amending, try and give your boss feedback with a plan on how to make the improvements. 

Overall, professionalism is key when it comes to working and greatly affects your chances of a promotion too. Keep our tips in mind and you’re likely to showcase that you’re a hard-working individual with time and care for your role. 

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