Professionalism in the Workplace

Professionalism in the Workplace In today’s competitive workforce, job applicants need more than a college degree to be successful in a professional setting. Aside from obtaining proper certification for professional career paths, it is currently much more important to exude professionalism in all work place situations. With so many people obtaining college degrees recently, the ability to emit several character traits is important to getting, and keeping, a job. Leondro Valente defines professionalism as, “the conduct, aims or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or professional person; it implies quality of workmanship or service” (Valente, 2014). To successfully obtain professionalism in the workforce, a person should be trustworthy, competent, and respectful. These characteristics lend themselves to the production of clear, coherent, and valuable work production, and positive work relationships with others. Exhibiting trustworthy behavior can be shown using professional references from past jobs, internships, and other professional opportunities. Trustworthiness is also earned while working on the job because, “you influence more by your actions than your words” (Russell, 2012). Key influences to demonstrating and achieving trustworthiness are being self-aware, being the first to give trust, and being the best version of yourself at work and for the benefit of others. Additionally, being trustworthy also means being accountable when mistakes occur. A person that is accountable for their actions, and the actions of those working under them, demonstrates responsible, trustworthy behavior (Valente, 2014). Another crucial way to demonstrate professionalism in the workplace is by producing quality work and demonstrating professional behavior. “Be competent and improve continually; competence is the ability of an individual to do a job properly, it is a combination of knowledge, skills and behavior used to improve performance,” (Valente, 2014). There are many ways one can demonstrate competence in the workforce. To begin, it is important to utilize the experience of others to first begin figuring out how to completely complete tasks. After building a foundation in the workplace, a new employee should begin working from memory to perform tasks independently. As time goes on, a person can demonstrate competency by taking mistakes seriously and rectifying those mistakes to create a better product (Roney, 2011). Demonstrating competence as an employee establishes a good personal and professional reputation for an employee’s reputation. Aside from having a good work ethic, producing quality work, and being a trustworthy employee, it is extremely important to have positive working relationships with coworkers, clients, and employers. Being respectful encompasses being friendly to others, being polite and well-mannered, and being courteous in general (Valente, 2014). Maintaining positive workplace relationships showcases a person’s professionalism and character in a positive way. While there are an abundance of qualities that signal to others that a person is professional in the workplace, whether or not they are trustworthy, competent, and respectful are the most important, and telling, characteristics. Employers and coworkers need to know that they can trust one another. Trust can come via taking responsibility, keeping information confidential, or through any number of situations. Producing great work material and having a good work ethic demonstrates that an individual is a competent, well-informed employee. Lastly, forming and maintaining positive relationships in a work environment shows that an employee is professional and willing to get along with others to execute their job effectively. All of these qualities not only demonstrate professionalism in the work place, but they also make for a much more productive and positive work environment for all those involved.

References Roney, L. (2011). How to be seen as Competent in the Workplace: Take Mistakes Seriously. Retrieved March 06, 2016 from http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2011/12/20/how-to-be-seen-as-competent-in-the-workplace Russell, N.S. (2012). 10 Behaviors that Demonstrate Trust. Retrieved March, 06, 2016, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/trust-the-new-workplace-currency/201206/0-behaviors-demonstrate-trust Valente, L. (2014). Ten Golden Rules to Professional Ethics in the Workplace. Retrieved March 6, 2016 from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140831053426-77080879-10-golden-rules-to-professional-ethics-in-the-workplace