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

Path to Professionalism
 Punctuality and Attendance
 Communication
 Presentation and Appearance
 Competence and Initiative
 Respect

PunctualityandAttendance

“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
Company
Drop in productivity
Staff
Extra work for others
Financial
Cost of temporary
replacement
When one staff member has
consistently poor attendance, it
affects all areas of their business:

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.

Punctuality Tips
 Be at your workstation when the
business day starts.
 Be clear on time allotted for
lunch and breaks.
 Don’t pack up until the work day
is over.

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

21st Century Communication
 Use proper grammar
 Carefully proofread, edit, spell-check
 Rethink your response before you send
 Don’t use email if the subject needs a
face-to-face conversation

Nonverbal Communication
 Eye contact
 Facial expression
 Personal space
 Appearance
 Posture
 Gestures
 Voice tone/inflection
 Timing

Communication Don’ts
 Gossip
 Flirt
 Discuss politics, religion, or
personal problems
 Complain about your job,
coworkers, or supervisor
 Criticize or insult your coworkers
or supervisor

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

Attitude
 Be positive
 Show enthusiasm
 Pick your battles
 Be in charge

PresentationandAppearance

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

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

CompetenceandInitiative

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 people’s differences
 Understanding conflicting
points of view

Respectful Workplace Behaviors
 Get to know your coworkers
 Be courteous
 Encourage coworkers to
express opinions and ideas
 Listen to other’s 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

WorkEthics

Work Ethics
RESPONSIBILITY
 How you work
 Amount of work done
 Punctuality
 Best effort
 Responsibility for results
QUALITY
 More than the bare minimum
 Produce great work

Work Ethics
DISCIPLINE
 Commitment
 Dedication
TEAMWORK
 Work together
 Respect each other
 Collaborate

Consequences of Unethical Behavior
 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

“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.
Check us out at www.miworksmo.org.
 Give us any
questions/comments/concerns
 See our workshop schedule
 Learn more about Michigan Works!
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Like what
you saw?

 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.
Sources