Professionalism in the Workplace

1. Professionalism
in the Workplace
Bryant & Stratton College: Albany Campus
Career Management Seminar
Katie Nicholson Spring 2014

2. What is “Professionalism”
anyways?
• Professionalism is when a person conforms to the
technical and/or ethical standards of his/her profession. A
professional is courteous, conscientious, and generally
businesslike in his/her workplace.

3. Why is it important?
• Ensures good work performance by ALL
• Ensures good team spirit
• Keeps employees motivated
• Ensures justice to everyone’s efforts
• Helps maintain the right amount of communication

4. Professionalism in the
Workplace Training Tips
• Keep a uniform environment for communication
• Make sure that all employees are aware of the
professional environment at work
• Avoid “competition bashing”
• Importance of punctuality
• Professional dress code should be maintained
• Training should keep the environment professional, yet
flexible

5. Lack of Professionalism
in the Workplace
• Leads to lack of motivation at work
• “I’m just here until something better comes along”
• Decline in job satisfaction
• Leads to unethical acts in the company
• Higher attrition rate (the action or process of gradually
reducing the strength or effectiveness of someone or
something). This keeps the organization’s recruitment
budget in use at all times, causing financial strain
• Lack of loyalty between management and employees

6. Professional Etiquette
• It will be expected that you understand the culture of your
workplace
• Workplace culture is the type of environment people
work in, the way they interact with one another, the way
they go about their work and the practices undertaken in
this environment. Some working culture are apparent at
first glance while others are more subtle and slow to
reveal.

7. Conversation Etiquettes
• Always listen to others attentively
• Keep a low but clear and calm voice while conversing
• Maintain eye contact
• Keep conversations short and to the point
• Maintain your “cool” even if something that is said
offends you
• Avoid fidgeting with your clothing or putting your hands
near your face while in a conversation

8. Handshake Etiquettes
• Offer a firm handshake (fingers tilted down, thumb up)
• Handshake should be between two to three seconds
• Avoid patting the back of the hand
• Have eye contact

9. Dressing Etiquettes
• Always wear neat and pressed formal clothes
• Women should avoid wearing exposing attire and opt for
natural make-up
• Men should keep hair (facial hair too!) neatly trimmed
• Nails should be clean
• Wear clothes which you are comfortable in and can carry
well

10. Electronic Communication
Etiquettes
• Email communication should always start with ‘Dear’ or
‘Hello’ followed by a title (Mr./Mrs./Miss etc.) and
his/her name and end your email with a signature that
suits you best
• Always have an appropriate ‘subject’ for your email
• Keep official emails short and precise
• While speaking on the phone, always greet and
acknowledge the person when starting and ending the call
• Include contact information and date when sending faxes

11. Dining Etiquettes
• Always seat your guest first (if you are the guest, be
punctual and thank your host)
• Avoid chewing with your mouth open
• Initiate conversations while waiting for food
• Avoid pointing the knife or fork towards the other person
while eating and speaking
• Allow your guest to select the menu and wine (if
appropriate)
• Avoid talking with food in your mouth

12. General Etiquettes
• ALWAYS be punctual
• TURN OFF your mobile phone/electronic devices
• Use handkerchiefs or napkins when coughing/sneezing
• Always stand up to greet senior members if they arrive
after you
• Ask questions politely
• Maintain a comfortable distance (arm’s length)
• Watch smoking/drinking
• Hold doors for business guests

13. What does this mean for me?
• Maintaining professional behavior means you will be
valued in the workplace
• It shows you care about what you do and who you are
• You never know who you might meet
• You never know who knows who
• You take yourself seriously
• Your chances of being promoted increase significantly
• You can be a mentor/teacher for others