Most of us are guilty of being late, skipping deadlines, and lacking professionalism at work. Not only it affects your chances of advancing in your career, it can also cost you your job. Professionalism is referred to an individual’s conduct at work. Being professional at work can help you earn rewards and accolades from your work-mates and superiors. Let’s explore 10 best tips to be more professional at work.
Best Tips to be More Professional at Work
- Be on Time
- Dress Appropriately
- Leave your Bad Mood at the Door
- Practice Politeness
- Become an Active Contributor
- Don’t Gossip
- Be Prepared for Meetings
- Be Honest
- Attain a balance
- Keep your phone on silent
Be on Time
Lacking time-management or not prioritizing tasks can lead you to become a habitual late-comer. Being late also gives an impression that you don’t take your job seriously. Set alarms and reminders to avoid being late to work. In fact, it’s best to show up a few minutes before your shift so you don’t have to sit late or skip your lunch-break.
Tip: Plan your day ahead of time
Dress Appropriately
If you don’t have a dress code to follow, just wear anything that makes you comfortable. However, not all workspaces give you the liberty to show off your signature style. Professionals working at banks, hospitals, schools, and government institutions must follow a dress code to comply with their company rules. The key is to pick an attire that is acceptable in your work environment.
Tip: Don’t wear wrinkled clothes to work
Leave your Bad Mood at the Door
The truth is, nobody likes to work with a cranky professional. One of the best tips to be more professional is to develop a positive work attitude. While it’s ok to feel low at times, it is never a good idea to take it out on your team-mates or managers. If you are suffering from anxiety, depression, or mood disorders; find constructive ways to maintain professionalism in workplace, by dealing with your feelings so you don’t show up at work feeling ill-prepared and grumpy.
Tip: Take up a hobby like exercise, yoga, or dancing to vent out negative energy
Practice Politeness
No workplace has room for rude and offensive employees. Don’t use foul language, even during the most intense discussions and meetings. One of the best tips to be professional at work is to avoid saying things at work which you can’t say in front of your mom or dad, regardless of your position at the company.
Tip: Use positive words to send your message across
Become an Active Contributor
One of the easiest ways to being more professional who facilitates his team is to become more receptive. By being receptive we mean that you are open to new ideas to contribute actively to your team. Whether you are a leader or a sub-ordinate, it’s common for today’s professional to shut off other people. This leads to a stagnant workplace where employees do not welcome or embrace new challenges. Make sure you help your team-mates whenever there is a need. However, do not invade your co-worker’s privacy and respect his personal space.
Tip: Contribute on an individual and a collective level
Don’t Gossip
Small minds discuss people but great minds discuss ideas. This is a quote for everyone. Don’t indulge in gossiping with your cubicle neighbours. Not only does it make you look immature and non-serious at work, it can also backfire you in the most unexpected ways. If you must share something, do it during your break or when you are outside the premises of your office.
Tip: Identify and avoid the gossiper at your workplace
Be Prepared for Meetings
Meetings can be planned or un-planned, especially at a busy workplace. If you are conducting a meeting, begin by reviewing the changes which have been successfully incorporated from the last meeting. If it’s a meeting with a client, show up on time and dress professionally to leave a good impression.
Tip: Keep a log of past notes and keep adding future considerations to be always prepared
Being Honest
When Google CEO Sundar Pichai was asked about his comments on Gmail way back in 2004, it was during his first interview at the company for the position of VP of product management. But, it was also the first day Google had just launched the email service. What do you think he answered?
He responded that he would be unable to answer the question because he had never used the product before. That proves just one thing. You can never cheat yourself to triumph. Practicing honesty and integrity are the best ways to be professional for building profitable work-relationships. The key is to be positive throughout your work journey and believe in your abilities. A confident individual rarely lies or deceives his team-mates. He admits his mistakes because he knows being professional at work requires honesty and a strong commitment.
Tip: Stop feeling insecure at work and don’t blame others for your mistakes or errors
Attain a balance
While you can’t separate work from your life, finding a work-life balance is important. Maintaining this balance also protects your mental and physical health. Apart from being a professional in office, spend quality time with your friends and family to recharge your batteries. This way you can set your best foot forward when you show up at work.
Tip: Manage your time wisely
Keep your Phone on Silent
One of the best tips to be more professional at your workplace is to keep your phone on vibrate or silent. Why? Because nobody wants to hear your funny or jarring ringtones every time you receive a call or a message. If you must keep your phone with you during meetings, make sure it is on silent mode.
Tip: Excessive cell phone use at work can quickly become a problem
Following our pick of the best tips to be more professional at work, you can also explore how to increase your productivity at work. All it takes is maintaining a positive attitude with your clients, co-workers, and managers. Leaders and team members must work on working towards solutions that benefit everyone involved. Hence, all disagreements and conflicts should be resolved promptly.
Stay tuned to Zameen Blog, the best lifestyle blog online, to find out more ways to be professional at work.
