Notes

Career Prep
Professionalism is defined as the competence or skill expected of a professional. In the workplace, how we look, dress, talk, write, and interact with others are continually being evaluated. Professionalism in the workplace is an expectation for everyone.
In this lesson, you will learn how to demonstrate professionalism by conducting yourself in a manner appropriate for the profession.
The Importance of Professionalism
Whether you become a chef, attorney, or athletic trainer, you will be expected to act professionally. Some companies require uniforms, others a suit and tie, while others encourage casual dress. Regardless of the industry, profession, or job title, how you act and interact with co-workers and customers will be noticed, evaluated, and critiqued. True professionals possess many characteristics that can apply to just about any industry, profession, and workplace environment.
Soft Skills
In the business world, people are often measured by their soft skills. Soft skills are the cluster of personality traits, social attributes, communication, language, personal habits, interpersonal skills, management of people, leadership, and any other traits that characterize relationships with other people. Soft skills can be viewed as all of the things people do in the workplace that make them true professionals. Employers look for soft skills such as communication, teamwork and collaboration, time management skills, and flexibility, to name a few.
Achieving the characteristics of a "true professional" requires the right mindset. You need to have an attitude that says, "I'm positive. I can get the job done no matter what." When faced with adversity, do you see the glass as half empty or half full? Professionals see it as half full. You have to realize that some workdays will be good and some may be bad. Regardless of the task, strive to be the employee who performs assigned tasks as directed and gets the job done. Sometimes you will be asked to work on projects that are exciting and engaging, while other times, the tasks might not be as enjoyable. In the workplace, it's important to maintain a strong work ethic and a positive attitude, regardless of the task you are assigned.
Rules, Laws, and Regulations of the Workplace
Another aspect of behaving like a true professional is complying with all applicable rules, laws, and regulations of the workplace. Company policies and procedures outline the responsibilities of employees and employers; they serve to protect employees' rights as well as employers' business interests. Rules, policies, common etiquette, and laws help workplace environments stay orderly, productive, and safe. These standards are established in three different ways:

Companies set their own policies and procedures for the workplace.

Employers and employees tend to follow unwritten rules of business etiquette.

Federal, state, and local governments make important workplace rules into laws and enforceable regulations.
As long as they don't violate any civil rights and are in compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, companies have the right to establish their own policies. Written policies and procedures of a business can typically be found in the company's handbook, which newly hired employees are often given to read and review. The company handbook usually contains policies, rules, and procedures such as dress code information, safety regulations, time off policies, and so on.
Professionalism is necessary for both an individual's and organization's success. As you enter the workforce, learning how to work in a team, how to make decisions and solve problems, and how to plan, organize, and prioritize will give you an advantage over many other employees. An excellent way to begin practicing professionalism now is by engaging in student leadership activities. These activities allow you to collaborate with others and practice key decision-making and organizational skills. As a leader in student council or another club that aligns with your interests, you may be responsible for helping to organize fundraisers and events, participating in community activities, and even traveling outside of school to attend workshops or competitions. Participating in leadership activities now will not only help you build your resume, but these activities will allow you to begin gaining the skills necessary for success in the business world.