Disclaimer: In Real Life is a platform for everyday people to share their experiences and voices. All articles are personal stories and do not necessarily echo In Real Life’s sentiments.
No matter where you work, it’s crucial that you always carry yourself with professionalism and grace in the workplace – especially considering how it can impact your chances of getting ahead in the company. Even if you work in a small startup with just two other employees, professionalism is important – you don’t want a reputation of being the office slacker now, do you?
Lucky for you, we’ve put together a list of essential tips on how to be professional at work!
1. Be respectful
Even if you think your supervisor is a complete idiot who doesn’t deserve their position, you should avoid ever voicing that kind of opinion in a professional environment. Badmouthing them will only make you look immature, unprofessional and maybe even a little jealous – which is something you don’t want to be perceived as.
Remember to treat everyone equally, whether they’re the cleaner or the CEO. Likewise, respect your company’s policies, even if you don’t agree with them – they’ve been put in place for a reason. So, even if you think that keeping your phone in your bag is completely ridiculous (especially in today’s digital age), you should still follow the rules.
2. Dress for success
Looking the part is half the battle when it comes to maintaining a professional image in the workplace. A good work outfit can make you feel more confident and ready for the day ahead – it’s kind of like putting on your suit of armour and riding into battle.
In other words, make sure you’re always on top of your game by dressing well. This means closely following your company’s dress code to a T. You could even dress a little smarter if you want to – of course, that doesn’t mean going overboard and rocking up to the office in a three-piece suit if you work in a casual startup, for example. That will make you stand out – but for all the wrong reasons!
3. Be punctual
Arriving on time is perhaps one of the best ways to demonstrate your workplace professionalism and get noticed by upper management.
That means if you have an important meeting at 9AM, avoid making any janji palsu and aim to arrive five minutes earlier. The same applies to arriving at work – you might think that strolling into the office a few minutes late isn’t going to damage your image, but your clock-watching boss will likely think otherwise.
4. Be truthful and trustworthy
Having an open and honest line of communication with your manager is imperative, especially if you want to get anywhere during your time at the company or in your career. Your manager needs to know they can rely on you for anything, so make sure you deliver – whether that’s ensuring a last-minute booking is executed correctly or that you’re calling in sick when you are indeed sick.
So, next time you’re running late, don’t make up a ridiculous excuse; just be honest and tell your boss that you didn’t hear your alarm go off. They’ll appreciate the honesty and, in return, reciprocate it.
5. Avoid gossip
Getting sucked into the drama of office politics is easy – it just takes a simple nod of agreement, and you’re instantly participating in workplace gossip or, worse, bullying. To stay professional, it’s best not to get involved in any theatrics: if you want to moan about Amanda from accounting, for example, save it for your next get-together with a non-work friend.
6. Don’t slack off
It’s only natural that you will occasionally lack motivation and will want to slack off a little. But just because everyone else seems to be doing just that doesn’t mean it’s right! Remember: your boss is likely keeping track of your performance and getting caught slacking off won’t bode well for your future in the company.
It’s okay to take quick breaks, though, and it’s recommended that you take a quick 5 minute break every hour, just so you don’t burn yourself out. But taking breaks isn’t the same as actively slacking off. Make sure you keep that difference in mind.
7. Don’t swear
Even if the rest of your colleagues are profound potty mouths, it’s best if you don’t join in. You never know who’s listening and if your swearing reaches the wrong ears, rest assured their image of you will be affected. It’s reasonable to say that you better think twice before you display your impressive range of multilingual vocabulary.
On the other hand, there are definitely more casual work environments that don’t really care about your cussing as long as you are efficient and productive. In any case, make sure that your language is suitably professional!
8. Don’t be (too) competitive
While a little competition is great for boosting motivation and success in the workplace, too much of it can damage your professional image. It’s natural to feel insecure if a new employee has more qualifications than you and your confidence may slump if you notice that your boss is showing more attention to another colleague.
Feelings of competitiveness may lead you to overdo a task, become jealous and spiteful towards fellow employees, or seek too much approval from seniors. Instead, focus on bettering yourself – become your own competition and avoid comparing yourself to others.
9. Be efficient
As real as it gets, there is no better recipe to being an ideal employee than getting work done efficiently. Getting all your tasks out of the way within the allocated time not only displays responsibility, but it also gives you the opportunity to accept unexpected tasks without any extra worry.
Being efficient also ensures that you don’t spend more time on your work than necessary. Focus on quality, rather than quantity.
10. Stay focused
Sometimes, your productivity at work can be affected by outside matters. It’s human to have problems, but it’s how you deal with them that makes you look professional.
If something is affecting you, the best thing to do is to speak to management and ask to take a personal day. This will make you look even more professional in the long run. An understanding boss will recognise that you are not a robot.
Maintaining a professional image isn’t hard – it’s always the first step that’s the hardest part
Being professional in the workplace can only do you good – it will set you apart from all your more unprofessional colleagues and bring you one step closer to that promotion you’re after.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to accomplish just that, as well as make a good impression on your boss and those you work with.
For more stories like this, read: 10 Signs That Your New Malaysian Workplace Is Toxic & That You Should Get Out IMMEDIATELY and I Got COVID-19 And All My Malaysian Boss Cared About Was Whether I Could Work
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