Tips on Building Your Professional Image

 

The corporate world has a changed a lot over the period of years in terms of working environment and so have its work force. It has become almost essential for each person to have an identity within an organization in order to move ahead the corporate ladder.


With the onset of stress induced work lifestyle employers need to keep their employees motivated to avoid their human resource from reaching a saturation point at work.

When a person joins a new company the obvious reason would be for a better job pay package, but one has to remember that high packages would also mean that you need to put an extra effort to be at par with the salary and bonuses that you will receive.


Recession did take its toll on several sectors which led to many job layoffs, salary cuts, demotions, impending promotions, amalgamations and dissolutions in many companies. Scores of people feel insecure and look for solace in a better job security. That phase is slowly moving out as the market is picking up at a gentle pace in terms of hiring new employees.


Companies would hire people but they would definitely not want to lose employees who are assets to an organization by retaining old staff and keeping them motivated.

Some corporates love to maintain an informal environment where as other strictly follow a formal decorum. People have different personalities and it would take a more time for such individuals to adjust in such environments. As the world has already become a global village it will not be of any surprise where multicultural people work together under the same roof.


Below are few tips on how to build your image in a professional environment:

 Addressing colleagues-

No matter whether your office follows a formal or informal working environment, it is very important for you to put professionalism before friendliness.

Some organizations would prefer colleagues to address to each other with their first names whereas in other sectors for example in a university colleagues could address each other with their designations like 'Professor' or 'Doctor'.

Office gossips-

Avoid gossips related to office matters as it can usually harm an employee's image. Gossips travel like grapevine and sometimes people in the higher management would love to rely on such means of gaining information as it seems to be one of the most reliable methods to extract information from people and competitors.

 Be an asset-

Always try to prove yourself to be an asset and not a liability to your company. If everyone from your team has been allocated a responsibility for a common project and if you have been left out idle at your workplace it clearly shows a negative image on your skills. The best you could do is assist and volunteer to be a part of that project.

 Personality-

Your mannerisms and attitude is a crucial factor in determining your capabilities not only to adjust with colleagues but also to adapt to the nature of your work process. Due to stress and demanding nature of various jobs people tend to lose their cool and tempers flare causing rifts. It is advisable to refrain from throwing tantrums or acting without thinking on consequences.

No matter where the employee might be in the line of hierarchy colleagues must learn to earn and not demand respect.

Build relations-

Building trust and confidence with your coworkers helps in the long run as it will affect your evaluation when it comes to acquiring indirect feedback from colleagues. Even after you have left the organization and moved ahead in life try to make sure that you leave pleasant and lasting impressions in your organization.

Office attire-

Lastly your attire says all about you. With the first glance anyone can say whether you are tired or happy from your dressing sense. It is suggestible to dress in formal attire or 'smart casuals' which seems to be the new trend in many offices. Avoid revealing outfits and keep your hair clean and combed.

Punctuality-

Being on time to work creates an impression of your image of how you are in your personal life. Being late to work on certain occasions might be excused but frequent late arrivals will have its obvious consequences. While taking breaks avoid extended breaks and make sure to be on time at your desk. Try to complete your given tasks within your working hours which can help you avoid late sittings. You can judge by yourself which is your most productive time of the day be it morning, afternoon or early evening. Accordingly get you tasks completed on time in an efficient way.

Hope these few tips will help you get some ideas to create a good image within your organization.