Whether you’re in a position of management or you’re one of many other employees, everyone wants to create a professional image in the workplace. This is because you want to be respected by your peers in a professional capacity, as this is the space in which you wish to develop and grow. Similarly, if you’re in a management position, it’s important that you maintain an air of authority in order to keep the company running smoothly. Professional image is everything for anyone who wants to thrive within their field, but how does one go about creating such a professional image?
Focus on Your Attire and Grooming
The first thing that anyone will notice about you is your attire and grooming. We’re told all the time that looks aren’t everything; however, they’re certainly important, especially in a professional setting. Grooming is particularly crucial, as being well-groomed paints you as a clean and careful individual.
When meeting someone for the first time, scents are everything, as smells are the last things we forget about someone. Therefore, you should do all you can to be smelling fresh. This doesn’t just apply to bathing, deodorants, and colognes. If you’re a smoker, you might want to opt for popular vapes as opposed to unpleasant smelling cigarettes.
Be Conscious of Initial Impressions
Once you’re groomed, dressed, and out of the door, the next thing you need to be aware of is your first impressions. This isn’t something that solely comes into play on your first day, but also job interviews, meetings, and the first days of others. In sculpting these first impressions, you should bear your industry conventions, workplace image, and target audience in mind. This way, you’ll be able to consider which traits and behaviors are common in a professional setting, your own perception at work, and the interaction at hand.
Assess Your Style of Communication
In order to professionally communicate with others, you must adapt your style to suit the person you’re interacting with. Communication is much more than what you say, it’s also about your nonverbal techniques. Some of these techniques include eye contact, the volume of your voice, and active listening within conversations. Similarly, you might wish to improve your written communication, as this is helpful for email communications. For instance, you want people to interpret your message correctly, and you need to work on your written communication to assure this.
Be Mindful on Social Media
Many of us are guilty of being a little thoughtless on our social media channels; however, this could be a mistake from a professional perspective. These days, employers will scour your social media platforms for information before hiring you. Therefore, you should be careful of the content you post and keep your profiles on private. Social media can greatly affect how you’re perceived by others, so it’s important to maintain people’s positive attitudes towards you via your social media channels, rather than creating a negative one. If you wouldn’t be comfortable sharing something in the office, it’s wise that you also don’t share it online.
Improve Your Time Management
Time management is everything in a professional setting, especially in the early stages. For instance, if you’re attending an interview, it’s better to be 15 minutes early than just one minute late. Showing up on time expresses respect for your colleagues, and also paints you as a professional figure. It’s a good idea to keep a schedule or planner so that you’re able to keep on top of your responsibilities and deliver them efficiently and in a timely fashion.
