Are You Professional? Here’s How to Find Out

We all know that it’s essential to be professional if we want to be successful in the workplace. But what does “being professional” actually mean? What is professorial behavior?

For some, it might mean dressing smartly at work or staying late until the job gets done. For others, it means having advanced degrees or other industry-related certifications that they proudly display. Professionalism encompasses all of these definitions. But, it also covers much more.

So what is professionalism and why does it matter? I asked that question in a recent career management seminar. Here are seven characteristics that define professionalism

1. Competency
   First and foremost, professionals have the qualification s and skills get the job done. They’ve made a deep personal commitment to develop and improve their skills. In some fields it’s vital to have degrees and certifications . In other’s it’s not. What matters, though, is that professionals continues to gain further knowledge and experience throughout their career.
2. Honesty and integrity
   Professionals keep their word and they can be trusted to do what they say they’re going to do. If circumstances arise that prevent them from delivering on their promises, they manage expectations up front and don’t make excuses or play the blame game. Rather they focus on finding a solution..
3. Continual improvement
   Professionals don’t let their skills or knowledge get outdated. They’re committed to staying up-to-date with trends related to their industry and field so that they can continue to provide the best quality of work possible. They manage their competitive edge.
4. Accountability
   Professionals hold themselves accountable for their words and actions, especially when they’ve made a mistake. If a project or job falls outside their scope of expertise, they’re not afraid to admit this. They immediately ask for help when they need it, and they’re willing to learn from others.
5. Self-Regulation
   They also stay professional under pressure. For instance, imagine a customer service employee who’s faced with an irate customer. Instead of getting upset or angry in return, the employee exhibits true professionalism by maintaining a calm, business-like demeanor, and by doing everything that she can to make the situation right.
6. Image
   Professionals look the part – they don’t show up to work sloppily dressed, with unkempt hair. They’re polished and they dress appropriately for the situation. Because if this, they exude an air of confidence.
7. Emotional intelligence
   Genuine professionals show respect for the people around them no matter what their role or situation. They consider the emotions and needs of others and they don’t let a bad day impact how they interact with colleagues or clients. They know how to influence effectively.

Career Success Tip:

As you can see from these characteristics, professionals are the kind of people that others respect and value. This is why it’s so important that we work to earn a professional reputation. True professionals are usually the first to be considered for promotions; they are awarded valuable projects or clients; and they are routinely successful in their careers. Now do a quick self-assessment:

Do you feel that you demonstrate these characteristics to the people around you? Pick one of the characteristics that you want to improve. What one thing can you do right now to move you to being more professional?

Do you want to develop Career Smarts?

Marcia Zidle