Introduction:

“Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it.

Autograph your work with excellence.” – Anonymous

If you talk to a lot of different people, you'll find that the word professionalism has many
definitions—or, rather, interpretations. But whether your job is mowing lawns, driving a truck,
managing a store, or running a large company, there are common on-the-job traits that define any
working person as a true professional. In other words, the job doesn't make you a professional,
but your attitude does.

Even though everyone recognizes a true professional in action, there are many misconceptions
about what constitutes professionalism. If you don't take the right approach to this important
issue, then rest assured: your customers, colleagues, and managers won't see you as a
professional, no matter what you think about yourself.

What is Professionalism? Different people must be having different views on this subject and the
chances are that all of them are logically correct. Before that let start with Profession…what are
you doing? Are you in a profession? Well, if you are drawing Monetary Benefits for what you
are doing, then you are in a profession. So, that way, sports, acting, dancing, selling, politics…
everything is a profession. But that doesn’t qualify you as a “Professional”. All those who are in
any profession are “not professional”. So, then, who is a professional?

Being professional is a declaration, wherein you mention, how you like to get treated by others?
Its about attitude, behavior, self-presentation; self-respect and dignity. It means not just knowing
how to do your job, but demonstrating a willingness to learn, cooperating and getting along with
others, showing respect, and living up to your commitments. It also means avoiding many kinds
of behaviors that cause trouble in the workplace. It doesn’t matter, if you work as a clerk or a
CEO of the company but if you behave the way people expect a professional to behave, you'll be
accepted and treated like one.

A person, be in any profession must demonstrate the following behaviors or habit to be called as
a “professional”. “Knowledge and skills of their profession; pride in a profession; accountability
for his/her work; Commitment to self-improvement of skills and knowledge; Conscience and
trustworthiness; enjoying your work; being committed to your work and they must be a good
team-players.”

Professionalism is not a punishment, it is not an attempt to restrict your freedom but it is a

discipline. PROFESSIONALISM means to be professional at your work place. When you enter
the premises of your office forget your home and when you leave your office for the day forget
your office.
Myths about Professionalism:

 Professionalism is all about money.

 Credentials—such as diplomas, degrees, and specialized certifications—contribute to

professionalism.

Defining Professionalism:

Professionalism can be defined as conducting your business with complete respect for the
feelings of your prospect or customer. It is vital for you to convey professionalism to every
prospect and client, as they will not trust their business to a person or company that does not
respect them.

Rules of Professionalism:

As business places become laid-back, professionalism is becoming overlooked and underrated.

Never fall into the trap of informality. Prospects and customers want to work with people and
companies that are professional and respectful.

Follow your customer's lead in loosening up, avoid personal matters, don't bash your competitors
and be on time for all appointments. If you obey these four rules, your prospects and customers
will see you as a professional and will trust you with their business.

Rules that make a better professional are as follows:

1. Forgetting your home during office hours. (Exceptions are there... Lunch time)
2. Not to discuss about your personal life.
3. Not to share your plans for career with colleagues.
4. Not to make friends at workplace.
5. Not to drink too much in a party.

Qualities of a True Professional:

Here are four universal traits of true professionals in any job position:

1. Professionals are responsive: When I entered the store, the salesperson made immediate eye
contact with me. It was sincere eye contact that said she cared that I was there. And as soon as
she was finished with her customer she came right over to help me and apologised for the wait.

The store was busy. But I noticed that everyone was being helped. The salespeople had mastered
the art of handling more than one customer at a time while making each customer feel like he/she
was the only one. None of the salespeople looked frantic, just responsive.

2. Professionals are knowledgeable: This salesperson knew about shoes. On the other hand, I
know very little about shoes. Seeing that this was the case, she took charge of the situation and
made sure that I was getting shoes that were right for me. I benefited from her knowledge.

There is an art to sharing knowledge, I admit. Some customers may say, "I know what I want.
Just get it for me." By briefly talking to me, however, she realised she could make a
recommendation for me, that I was flexible. Professionals read the situation and adapt to the
personality and needs of the customer.

Of course, all of this means knowing your product. Professionals are constantly learning about
their products and their customers. The only way that the Walking Company salesperson could
steer me to the right pair of shoes was by knowing shoes and feet. Professionals know their stuff.

3. Professionals care about what they do: My Walking Company salesperson could have easily
brought me the pair of shoes I originally asked for. But she wasn't selling shoes -- she was selling
the right shoes. That's the difference. Professionals aren't happy just selling a product. They want
it to be the right product for the customer.

4. Professionals teach you something: I left the Walking Company knowing more than when I
walked in. I now know to ask for extra arch support in my shoes. Not a big deal, but I will
always remember that advice.

Professional V/S Amateur:

1. A professional learns every aspect of the job. An amateur skips the learning process
whenever possible.

2. A professional carefully discovers what is needed and wanted. An amateur assumes what
others need and want.

3. A professional looks, speaks and dresses like a professional. An amateur is sloppy in

appearance and speech.

4. A professional keeps his or her work area clean and orderly. An amateur has a messy,
confused or dirty work area.

5. A professional is focused and clear-headed. An amateur is confused and distracted.

6. A professional does not let mistakes slide by. An amateur ignores or hides mistakes.
 7. A professional jumps into difficult assignments. An amateur tries to get out of difficult
work.

8. A professional completes projects as soon as possible. An amateur is surrounded by

unfinished work piled on unfinished work.

9. A professional remains level-headed and optimistic. An amateur gets upset and assumes
the worst.

10. A professional handles money and accounts very carefully. An amateur is sloppy with
money or accounts.

11. A professional faces up to other people’s upsets and problems. An amateur avoids others’
problems.

12. A professional uses higher emotional tones: Enthusiasm, cheerfulness, interest,

contentment. An amateur uses lower emotional tones: anger, hostility, resentment, fear
etc.

13. A professional persists until the objective is achieved. An amateur gives up at the first
opportunity.

14. A professional produces more than expected. An amateur produces just enough to get by.

15. A professional produces a high-quality product or service. An amateur produces medium-

to-low quality product or service.

16. A professional earns high pay. An amateur earns low pay and feels it’s unfair.

17. A professional has a promising future. An amateur has an uncertain future.

Key to become a Professional:

Of course, like other life skills, professionalism is something one can learn; one doesn’t just
become a professional overnight. The keys to become a professional are practice and self-
awareness. You must pay attention to your own behavior at work, as well as the way others
behave. Whom do you see as real professionals? How does your behavior differ from theirs?
Notice your colleagues who are most respected and whose work or opinions are most valued by
others, then emulate those people.

Conclusion:

Professional behaviours are simple. What's not simple is the consistent application of them.
Being a true professional takes thought and effort. But, once you are truly professional you can
go just about anywhere.
The skills are universal, and they are rare. True professionals stand out from the crowd and grow
rewarding and satisfying careers. And the customers of the world know when one is at work.
Professionalism should start from within not from the company. The company should create
atmosphere (with certain rules, regulations, dress code, timings, etc) to develop professionalism
within the company.

"So learn this as a first lesson about life. The only successful beings in any field, including
living itself, are those who have a professional viewpoint and make themselves and ARE
professionals" — L. Ron Hubbard