Professionalism Basics

What is it? Your professional image is the set of qualities and characteristics that represent perceptions of your competence and character as judged by your key constituents (i.e., clients, managers, professors, colleagues). Your professional image is the set of qualities and characteristics that represent perceptions of your competence and character as judged by your key constituents (i.e., clients, managers, professors, colleagues).

Professionalism Basics: Respect for Others Recognizing that other peoples time is as valuable as yours (being on time, cancelling appointments or meetings ahead of time if you cannot make them) Recognizing that other peoples time is as valuable as yours (being on time, cancelling appointments or meetings ahead of time if you cannot make them) If you have chosen to attend a class, meeting, conference, presentation--pay attention. If you have chosen to attend a class, meeting, conference, presentation--pay attention.

Professionalism Basics: Respect for Others Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Follow through is important! Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Follow through is important! If you are unable to meet a project goal or other expectation let those involved know the new timeline and that you are working on it. Don’t just ignore. If you are unable to meet a project goal or other expectation let those involved know the new timeline and that you are working on it. Don’t just ignore. Take responsibility for your behavior—successes and failures. Take responsibility for your behavior—successes and failures.

Professional Communication Every interaction you have with a potential employer/ grad school/professional reference counts! Every interaction you have with a potential employer/ grad school/professional reference counts! What does your address, voice mail, cell phone ring, content say about you? What does your address, voice mail, cell phone ring, content say about you? Think about every point of contact a professor, employer, graduate school may come into contact with you. Think about every point of contact a professor, employer, graduate school may come into contact with you. You should be using a professional (your WSU ) and professional tone in s with your professors – they are your references! You should be using a professional (your WSU ) and professional tone in s with your professors – they are your references!

Professional Dress Invest in one good interviewing outfit if you are applying to jobs or graduate schools. Invest in one good interviewing outfit if you are applying to jobs or graduate schools. Even if the workplace is very casual you should still dress conservatively and professionally for the interview. Even if the workplace is very casual you should still dress conservatively and professionally for the interview. Maintain professional body language. (Don’t slouch, bite your nails, pick at your hair, skin and/or outfit constantly…) Maintain professional body language. (Don’t slouch, bite your nails, pick at your hair, skin and/or outfit constantly…)

Networking Events What’s appropriate?

Introduce Yourself! When you recognize someone and he/she does not recognize you. When you recognize someone and he/she does not recognize you. When attending a gathering, business or social. (for example the career fair) When attending a gathering, business or social. (for example the career fair) When seated next to someone When seated next to someone When the person introducing you does not remember your name. When the person introducing you does not remember your name.

Professional Communication Basics Good eye contact Good eye contact Firm Handshake Firm Handshake Practice introducing yourself-have a “one minute commercial” about yourself and your goals that you tell potential employers Practice introducing yourself-have a “one minute commercial” about yourself and your goals that you tell potential employers

One Minute Commercial List accomplishments—paid, unpaid, work, education, life, experiences… List accomplishments—paid, unpaid, work, education, life, experiences… List your most important skills and strengths… List your most important skills and strengths… What are you interested in doing? Internships, job openings, company information… What are you interested in doing? Internships, job openings, company information… Tie these aspects together to create a consistent message about who you are. Tie these aspects together to create a consistent message about who you are.

When communicating professionally do not: Monopolize the conversation Monopolize the conversation Say negative things about a person, company or product Say negative things about a person, company or product Gossip Gossip Use profanity Use profanity Tell lots of jokes or use sarcasm – remember these people don’t know you yet and may not realize you are joking Tell lots of jokes or use sarcasm – remember these people don’t know you yet and may not realize you are joking Talk about controversial issues Talk about controversial issues

Follow Up #1 Tip– don’t forget to do it or avoid it! #1 Tip– don’t forget to do it or avoid it! The majority of students (and people in general) neglect to follow up with those who they exchange business cards with. The majority of students (and people in general) neglect to follow up with those who they exchange business cards with. If you get a business card, it’s appropriate to follow up the next day. If you get a business card, it’s appropriate to follow up the next day. Career website  Online Resources  Business Etiquette for examples Career website  Online Resources  Business Etiquette for examples

Developing your professional networks Talk to people you know Talk to people you know Complete informational interviews Complete informational interviews Complete an INTERNSHIP!! Complete an INTERNSHIP!! Volunteer Volunteer Job Shadow Job Shadow Join related student groups and professional organizations Join related student groups and professional organizations Attend events made available to you Attend events made available to you Use your student status while you can—provides entry into a lot of opportunities. Use your student status while you can—provides entry into a lot of opportunities.

On the Job/Internship Establishing your professional identity

Moving Up or Out? Collegiate Employment Research Institute Research Brief 2007, Phil Gardner, What are the top qualities employers are looking for? Which areas do you excel in? What are the top qualities employers are looking for? Which areas do you excel in? What are the items that often get new professionals in trouble. What are the items that often get new professionals in trouble. What is going to be the most difficult adjustment for you? What is going to be the most difficult adjustment for you?

Top 6 Firing Reasons Unethical behavior Unethical behavior Lack of motivation/work ethic Lack of motivation/work ethic Inappropriate use of technology Inappropriate use of technology Failure to follow instructions Failure to follow instructions Late for work and late assignment Late for work and late assignment

What Leads to Promotion? Taking Initiative Taking Initiative Networking Networking Self-Management Self-Management Team Effectiveness Team Effectiveness Leadership Leadership Followership Followership Perspective Perspective Show and Tell Show and Tell Organizational Savvy Organizational Savvy Technical Competence Technical Competence Cognitive Abilities Cognitive Abilities

Internships Be sure to clarify expectations of the internship with you supervisor. Be sure to clarify expectations of the internship with you supervisor. Ask about the office culture around use of cellphones and internet use – personal /facebook. Ask about the office culture around use of cellphones and internet use – personal /facebook. Dress appropriately for the office. Don’t be too casual or informal. Dress appropriately for the office. Don’t be too casual or informal. Even if the environment is casual you still need to keep your conversation and dress at a more professional level compared to being on campus. Even if the environment is casual you still need to keep your conversation and dress at a more professional level compared to being on campus. Don’t overshare about your personal life! Don’t overshare about your personal life!

Communication How do I deal with problems or communication break downs at work/internship?

Communication If you are upset by an interaction at work, give yourself some time to calm down and think before taking action. If you are upset by an interaction at work, give yourself some time to calm down and think before taking action. On the other hand don’t let something build up for months and then have a melt down! On the other hand don’t let something build up for months and then have a melt down! Don’t gossip about your annoyance or problem with other co-workers. This will only increase the problem. Don’t gossip about your annoyance or problem with other co-workers. This will only increase the problem.

Approaching Always best to start communicating directly with the person you are having a problem with. Don’t go above his/her head first. Always best to start communicating directly with the person you are having a problem with. Don’t go above his/her head first. When you are calm and have something prepared to say approach co-worker in private. When you are calm and have something prepared to say approach co-worker in private. Keep in mind the person could have no idea you are frustrated. Approach with the benefit of the doubt if possible. Keep in mind the person could have no idea you are frustrated. Approach with the benefit of the doubt if possible. Have concrete examples of the problem. Have concrete examples of the problem.

Communication If a problem continues then approach a supervisor or suggest you both present the issue to supervisor. If a problem continues then approach a supervisor or suggest you both present the issue to supervisor. Remember to be professional—not personal. Conflict resolution in the workplace is different than among family and friends. Remember to be professional—not personal. Conflict resolution in the workplace is different than among family and friends.

A few helpful resources WSU Vancouver Career home page—lots of career information such as a local employer directory, career and major exploration resources, job searching resources, resume and cover letter examples and more! WSU Vancouver Career home page—lots of career information such as a local employer directory, career and major exploration resources, job searching resources, resume and cover letter examples and more! A comprehensive listing of professional organizations and associations in the state of Washington A comprehensive listing of professional organizations and associations in the state of Washington Ask a Manager blog Ask a Manager blog