How to Be Professional at Work

Co-authored by Melody Godfred, JD

Last Updated: March 12, 2024 Approved

Being professional is one of the most important aspects of being successful at your job. Your professionalism could open the door to other career opportunities, a raise, or even a bonus. Your demeanor toward your boss, your coworkers, and your clients should be courteous and professional at all times, from how you present yourself to how you communicate to how you interact with others at work.

Things You Should Know

Dress appropriately, be punctual, and maintain a positive attitude.
To manage your time, communicate via email or phone unless something needs to be discussed in person.
Do quality work and complete your assigned tasks without having to be reminded.

Part 1

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Presenting Yourself in a Professional Manner

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1
Be well groomed and appropriately dressed. You should come into work every day clean and well groomed to ensure you have a professional appearance. You will also need to dress professionally based on the expected attire of your workplace. Avoid clothing that is too tight or too revealing and if you think something may not be appropriate for your workplace, don't wear it.
- Gauge the dress expectations of your workplace by noticing what other employers are wearing. If everyone is wearing conservative attire, with suits, collared shirts, and long skirts, adjust your attire accordingly. Many workplaces have a business casual dress code, which may allow slacks or jeans as long as you still appear professional. Be mindful of bright colors and busy patterns as well.
- If possible, cover any tattoos and remove any piercings, unless your superiors are fine with you exposing them.
2
Follow the cultural norms of your workplace. Note how your coworkers operate in your office to get a sense of how things are done. You may note how people dress, and how they lower their voices when someone is on the phone nearby, or that they go into the staff room to have more casual discussions.^{[1]
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- You may also notice how your coworkers interact with clients during meetings, and how everyone always shows up on time, or a few minutes early for a meeting. Pay attention to the behavior of others to get a sense of what is considered professional in your workplace.
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3
Be on time for meetings and discussions. The majority of workplaces will expect you to be on time for all meetings, planned discussions, and to be at work by a certain time in the day. If you are not sure about the expectations around the start time for the work day, ask your superior. Most offices expect their employees to be in the office early in the morning to field any calls from clients and to ensure the office is functioning during regular business hours.^{[2]
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- If possible, try to get to meetings 5 minutes early to get settled and organized before the meeting begins. Avoid showing up more than 10 minutes early for a meeting, as any earlier can throw off other people's schedules and actually be inconvenient for others.
- Make sure you organize your materials and papers before the meeting begins. Be prepared to participate or give your input in case you are asked to do so.
4
Maintain a positive attitude. Often, a professional attitude is a positive and motivated one. To be successful, you will need to demonstrate to others that you have the skills and knowledge to perform your duties and responsibilities. But in addition to expertise and know how, your employer will value a professional attitude that demonstrates character and integrity.
- Focus on being honest, reliable, a hard worker, and positive, day in and day out. Your job should be important to you, and you should value your successes, no matter how small or minor.

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Communicating Effectively

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Avoid forgetting any tasks or appointments by always writing it down in a work designated notepad. You can use a digital notepad or a pen and paper. Show your professionalism by taking notes during meetings to stay organized and on track.
2
Speak clearly, and speak up when necessary. To communicate professionally, you need to show yo and discussions and wait until someone is finished speaking to share your thoughts. Speak slowly and concisely so everyone can understand your points and make note of them. If you're feeling nervous, career coach Melody Godfred suggests "taking time at home and during your off time to really cultivate that idea and make it concrete before presenting it at work."
- If you notice problems or issues around a certain project or client, speak up to your coworkers and your superiors. Don't ignore or avoid these conflicts. Instead, face them head-on by alerting others to the issues and working together to try to problem-solve.
3
Use email or the telephone, unless you need to discuss something face to face. Most workplaces encourage managing your time effectively by using email or a phone call to discuss minor decisions or issues. Avoid calling a meeting for topics that could be addressed in 5 minutes with a quick email exchange or phone call. Wasting other people's time with unnecessary meetings can be seen as unprofessional.^{[3]
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- Research your question or issue before bringing it to everyone else's attention. Look through your emails or office memos to ensure you aren't missing information that has been disseminated.
- There may be an instance where you need to call a face to face meeting to discuss a major issue. If this is the case, send a meeting invitation by email to your coworkers and/or clients. Check your coworkers' calendars to ensure they are available during the proposed time.
Career coach Melody Godfred reminds that "asking for feedback can lead to a potential learning opportunity." Remember that good feedback should be about your work and your results. It should never be personal. Getting angry or defensive about feedback can make you appear unprofessional. Instead, focus on learning from feedback and using it to improve the way you do things at work.^{[4]
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Part 3

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Interacting Professionally

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1
Avoid office politics and gossip. It can be hard not to get sucked into the office gossip mill, especially if you are new to the workplace and are starting to get to know your coworkers. But staying out of office politics and gossip will ensure you maintain a professional reputation and do not get too involved personally with rumors or hearsay. Career coach Melody Godfred stresses that "you never want to contribute to activities that fuel a toxic workplace culture."
- Not talking about your coworkers behind their backs or based on gossip will also show you respect your coworkers and are willing to be honest and straightforward with them.
This includes coworkers you may not get along with or see eye to eye with. If you have a coworker who you cannot work with, avoid working directly with them, if possible. You may consider talking to your boss or superior if you have constant issues with the coworker's work attitude and performance.
If your boss sees potential in you as an employee, they may try to act as a mentor to you. It's important to maintain a relationship with your boss that is professional and humble. Avoid acting like you know more about the job than your boss does or that you are not willing to learn new skills or to take their advice.^{[5]
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4
Focus on getting your work done well. The easiest way to be professional at work is to do your job well without having to be reminded. Career coach Melody Godfred advises "really focusing on yourself and what you can contribute to your workplace. Think about what you can gain from your workplace, too; even if ends up being a short-time opportunity, you can move onto the your next opportunity having gained and contributed something."
- Having a mentor as your boss can lead to bigger career opportunities and the ability to expand your existing skill set.

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How do I present myself in a professional manner?

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Write a list of the practices you wish to use and keep it in a drawer within your desk so you can refer to it as needed. each opportunity that presents itself to use an item from the list should be explored. Once you develop a good habit, check it off. If you are shy, make an effort to get to know your coworkers. Asking how their weekend was is a good way to break the ice and build rapport. As you get to know them it may become easier to communicate more effectively and assert yourself professionally within the workplace.

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How do you collaborate with someone you don't like?

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Let your work speak for itself. Each role within an organization complements another role. If you do your work, it will make the workload easier for everyone else. You can also make it a point to acknowledge others when they perform a job well done. Being cordial and greeting your colleagues is a great way to also build rapport. Everyone isn't always going to like you, however good practices will command the respect you deserve.

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How do I be more professional at work?

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Be mindful of the other colleagues around you and act appropriate and respectful. You can also dress in appropriate attire.

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