Carry yourself with confidence, professionalism and dignity to thrive in your office environment.
Without a set of guidelines, the term professionalism can seem vague. When you enter the workforce, it is necessary that you exchange your casual persona for an identity that will help you thrive in the office. Over time, as you become more accustomed to your workplace, you will develop an understanding of how you should conduct yourself. In the meantime, adhering to a set of unspoken rules will help you excel until you feel more confident in your specific business environment. Even though you should be yourself and let your personality shine, you should pay extra attention to your personal style.
General Demeanor
If you are new to a company, carry yourself with confidence. When you interact with your colleagues, appear friendly, establish eye contact and behave as positively as possible. Otherwise, you might develop a reputation as rude. Keep your office or cubicle as clean as possible, and maintain your personal space. If you are surrounded by coworkers, do not speak loudly, and take personal phone calls outside. Even if you are talking with coworkers, have private conversations in a conference room, outside, in an office or in a separate space. Above all, be as friendly and approachable as possible.
Hygiene
In an office environment, your peers and supervisors will pay attention to your hygiene and personal style. Maintain the condition of your hair, nails and skin so that you are neat and presentable. Even after you've had a long night, try not to appear fatigued. Make sure that your clothing is clean and stain-free. As much as possible, shower daily, and avoid wearing strong perfume or cologne. Neatness, tidiness and cleanliness will help you project your confident persona.
Attire
Clothing should be presentable and in good taste. When you select clothing, be sensitive to the overall style of your office. If your coworkers wear jeans and a collared shirt, wear something similar. If everyone in your office wears a suit, do the same. At first, it's better to overdress than to appear too casual. Otherwise, you might appear sloppy. When you meet with clients, always wear a suit or business casual attire.
Conflict Resolution
Conflicts occur in every office regardless of whether anyone intends to cause problems. You might have a problem with your workload, or a coworker might make you uncomfortable. Pick and choose your battles with caution, but do not be afraid to speak up if you feel your concern is pressing. If you are reporting a conflict and feel that you cannot talk to your supervisor, consult your human resources department for the appropriate steps to follow. You might be able to find instructions in your company handbook. Whatever options you follow, avoid involving other coworkers in your conflict. Do not complain, and do not talk badly about others. Preserve your reputation by keeping matters private.
Legal Responsibilities
On your first day at work, your company likely presented you with a company handbook. Read through it, and familiarize yourself with your company's policies. You might need to follow certain legal guidelines on a day-to-day basis, and if you are unsure about a situation that you are facing, your company already might have an established course of action. You also might have a legal responsibility to report certain illegal actions or personnel conflicts. By familiarizing yourself with professionalism codes of conduct in your company handbook, you will position yourself to avoid problems later on. If you are uncomfortable with certain company policies, consider consulting an attorney.
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