Professional Skills

Professional Skills

Soft Skills and Other Tips for Starting a New Career

-Plato

" The beginning is the most important part of the work" 

​Whether this is your first job or your hundredth, it is a new beginning, and you will need to decide which path to follow. Regardless of your direction, by starting strong, you set yourself upon a path of success.

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However, you cannot take your first step without a foundation under your feet.

Working in a professional office environment is very different than ​most work settings. Employees must follow specific processes and protocols, dress appropriately for the environment, and employees should be aware of how their actions will represent their commitment to their roles.

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This all may seem obvious or basic, but these skills can be very hard to learn and take a lot of practice.

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Review this article from Indeed for some of the most important professionalism skills!

​Professionalism

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​Important Concepts

A professional environment cannot exist without communication. Use professional language and avoid being too casual while communicating. Focus on clarity and use active listening skills to ensure understanding from all parties.

Professionalism demands timeliness. Be at work, on time and ready to go, when you are expected to be. If you will be unable to meet an attendance expectation, provide advanced notice whenever possible.

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This article from Inc does a great job discussing the importance of punctuality!

​Important Concepts

​Important Concepts

Office environments depend on employee integrity to function. This means honesty, transparency, and dedication are paramount. Hold yourself to high standards and take responsibility for your actions.

It doesn't matter who you're speaking to - students, parents, coworkers, other staff - have a service-oriented mindset. Treat everyone with respect and kindness. Be patient and make certain that the impression you leave someone with is a positive one.

​Important Concepts

The way you dress in an office environment is more important than in almost any other setting. If you aren't wearing a uniform, business casual is the typical standard, and you should always verify you meet any dress code requirements.

​Important Concepts

One of the hardest, but most important skills to master in a professional setting is time management. Once you develop a strong time-management strategy, success is inevitable!

​Important Concepts

Watch through each of these videos regarding professionalism.

A few videos...

• ​​Professionalism: The foundation for professional success and career advancement

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• ​Career Talks by Indeed: Top Tips for Success as a Young Professional Featuring Patrick McKenna

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• Business Etiquette Basics​

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• Tips for Effective Time Management​

Multiple Choice

Which of the following would be acceptable and encouraged in professional workplace setting?

• Assisting with a project then making absolutely certain your manager knows how much work you did so they can track your dedication

• Explaining that you don't have the answer but will look into it and follow up

• Becoming close friends with your coworkers and discussing your personal lives in the break room

• Always saying yes when asked to do something, whether you have the time or knowledge necessary

Multiple Select

Proper and effective workplace communication requires which of the following (select all that apply)?

• Proofreading written communication for clarity and mistakes

• Sharing personal opinions in professional discussions

• Applying active listening skills and checking for understanding

• Paying attention to nonverbal communication such as body language and gesturing

Multiple Choice

Professionalism requires attention to all of the following, except for which?

• How you look, including your dress, hygiene, and visible tattoos and piercings

• How you communicate, including how you speak and write

• How you behave, including punctuality, performance, interpersonal relationships, and dedication to your role

• How you think, even when you don't share your thoughts

• How you demonstrate integrity, including following all policies and expectations, but also demonstrating respect and honesty

Multiple Choice

Transferable Skills (abilities or talents relevant to all professions and facets of life) include many facets of professionalism, such as punctuality, integrity, communication skills, dependability, and time management.

• True

• False