Professionalism & Work Ethic

TIPS FOR SUCCESS IN THE WORKPLACE

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Professionalism
is a determined effort by
everyone in the workplace to give
their best each and every day.

Businesses of all
sizes rely on credibility,
confidence and reputation
to survive, and their people are
part of that impression.
Professionalism & Workplace Savvy
by Erica Feigenbaum, Demand Media

 Punctuality and Attendance

Communication
Presentation and Appearance
Competence and Initiative
Respect

Path to Professionalism

Punctuality and Attendance

80% of success in life is just showing up.

- Woody Allen
One of the most important qualities an employee
can display is dependability
The main factor in being dependable is attendance

Attendance is usually the top priority when it

comes to an employee's performance and is
necessary for continued professional growth

Problems of Poor Attendance

When one staff member has
consistently poor attendance, it
affects all areas of their business:

Company
Drop in productivity

Staff
Extra work for others

Financial
Cost of temporary
replacement

Punctuality
If you arrive 5 minutes late and
leave 5 minutes early every day, you
have stolen 30 hours of work time
from your employer in one year.

 Be at your workstation when the

business day starts.
Be clear on time allotted for
lunch and breaks.
Dont pack up until the work day
is over.

Punctuality Tips

Communication

Oral Communication
Be clear and concise
Think before you speak
Be positive instead of negative
Reflect on your conversations
Ask open ended questions:
How, what, why

Written Communication
Writing in the A-B-C format:

Accurate
Brief
Clear

st
21

Century Communication

Use proper grammar

Carefully proofread, edit, spell-check
Rethink your response before you send
Dont use email if the subject needs a
face-to-face conversation

Nonverbal Communication
Posture
Gestures
Voice tone/inflection
Timing

Eye contact
Facial expression
Personal space
Appearance

 Gossip
Flirt
Discuss politics, religion, or
personal problems

Complain about your job,

coworkers, or supervisor
Criticize or insult your coworkers
or supervisor

Communication Donts

Attitude
Attitude is a little thing that
makes a big difference.
Winston Churchill

Attitude
Be positive
Show enthusiasm
Pick your battles
Be in charge

Presentation and Appearance

Presentation
Perception matters
Presentation is equally important as
attendance and punctuality
You are only given a very short time
to make a first impression

Appearance
Professional
Neat, clean

Well-groomed
Proper hygiene
Company dress code
Health and safety standards

Appearance

Your appearance is a
reflection of the company or
organization you work for.

Competence and Initiative

Competence
Perform job duties in an efficient and
proficient manner
Possess the skills and knowledge to do
the job well
Be a paid expert

Keep skills current

Initiative
Do what needs to be done without
being told
Complete all job duties promptly and
professionally
Take action and ownership
Help others or take on extra projects
when possible

Initiative
Use critical thinking and problem solving skills:
Ask what the problem is
Analyze it
Explore all possible solutions

List solutions from best to

worst
Select the best solution
Evaluate the solution

Rewards of taking Initiative

Knowledge of your company and the
market it serves
Increased value as an employee
Enhanced independence

More career advancement opportunities

A more meaningful and fulfilling work
experience

Respect

Respect
is the foundation of workplace success with managers,
coworkers, and customers
Consideration for self and
others
Value of peoples differences
Understanding conflicting
points of view

 Get to know your coworkers

Be courteous

Encourage coworkers to
express opinions and ideas
Listen to others viewpoints
Ask for advice and help

Be honest

Use integrity
Steer clear of gossip
Avoid getting into fights and
arguments
Follow workplace standards
Be a source of positivity and
encouragement
Share credit when deserved

Respectful Workplace Behaviors

Work Ethics

Work Ethics
RESPONSIBILITY

QUALITY

How you work

More than the bare minimum

Amount of work done

Produce great work

Punctuality
Best effort
Responsibility for results

Work Ethics
DISCIPLINE

TEAMWORK

Commitment

Work together

Dedication

Respect each other

Collaborate

 Incarceration
Job loss
Loss of professional license
Ex: Physician, social worker

Limited employment options

Legal fees/fines
Loss of respect and trust from others
Guilt, depression, and anxiety
Damage to environment

Consequences of Unethical Behavior

Individuals do not become professionals

because of some sudden leap that they make
into the stratosphere. Individuals become
professionals because of their lifetime
dedication and commitment to higher
standards and ideals, honorable values,
and continuous self-improvement.
Jim Ball, Professionalism is for Everyone

We hope you found this information helpful.

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Give us any
questions/comments/concerns

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See our workshop schedule

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Sources

Professionalism in the Workplace 2012

Speedupcareer.com; Professionalism at Work
Professionalism in the Workplace; Centennial College
10 Ways to Be Professional at Work; The Monster Career Coach, career-advice.monster.com
What Are Good Work Ethics?; Roslyn Frenz, eHow Contributor, eHow.com
Professionalism & Workplace Savvy; Eric Feigenbaum, Demand Media, Small Business Chron. Com
Topics of Professionalism in the Workplace; Rose Johnson, Demand Media, Small Business Chron.com
Tips for Professionalism in the Workplace; Mary Beth Magee, eHow Contributor, eHow.com
Job Retention Instructor Guide: Goodwill Works Curriculum. Goodwill Industries International, 2009.
Job Retention Participant Guide: Goodwill Works Curriculum. Goodwill Industries International, 2009.
Job Retention Workshop. Careerlinkhighvalley.org.
Job Success: Time Management. GCFlearnfree.org. 1998-2011. Goodwill Community
Foundation. MARO
Time Management. Cpehr.com. 2011. California Human Resources HR Outsourcing. CPEhr.
Tips for Professional Success: Developing Professionalism Through Your AmeriCorps Experience.
America Reads Mississippi. Team Leader Training. 22 Feb. 2006.
Whitmore, Amanda. From Temp to Hire. Muskegon, MI: GoodTemps Temporary Staffing Agency
(A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Goodwill Industries of West Michigan), 2011.