Home professionalism in the workplace

professionalism in the workplace

This question involves explaining how a professional can proactively approach career changes. Entrepreneurship remains vital to small business development. With 96.1% of all businesses categorized as a small business, the likelihood of you either being an entrepreneur or working for one is extremely high. For this essay, visit

www.sba.gov

and view the characteristics of and opportunities available for an entrepreneur. After reviewing the possibilities, state whether or not you have an interest in entrepreneurship. Then, explain how you could use the information on www.sba.gov to proactively approach career changes. Remember, your essay can take the position of actually being an entrepreneur or at least working with an entrepreneur. Your response must be at least 250 words in length.

4
Etiquette/Dress

IMPRESSION

MANNERS

PERCEPTION

After studying these topics, you will benefit by:

• Explaining the elements of professional dress

• Recognizing the importance of making a positive first

impression

• Expressing an understanding of workplace etiquette

• Identifying the importance of making and keeping

appointments

• Describing the impact dress can have on others’

perception of you

• Demonstrating appropriate behavior in work-related social

situations

DRESS/ETIQUETTE

• Employees represent their company

• The way you communicate, dress, and behave

both inside and outside the company

contributes to others’ perception of you and

your company

THINK ABOUT IT

Do you practice good manners on a regular

basis?

EXECUTIVE PRESENCE

• Executive presence: having the attitude of an

executive by demonstrating appropriate

workplace behavior

– Use good manners to create positive relationships

• Smiling, please, thank you

– Be prepared for the social experiences you will

face in the workplace

• Attire, protocol, social etiquette, dining, technology

INFLUENCES OF APPEARANCE

• Appearance

– The majority of first impressions are made

through your appearance

– Appearance has an impact on how you perform

at work

– Think of your appearance as a frame; it is there

only to highlight the picture

• Not just physical features, but attitude,

knowledge, and potential

INFLUENCES OF DRESS

• Dress code: a policy that addresses issues

such as required attire, uniforms, hairstyle,

undergarments

, jewelry, and shoes

– Know what is acceptable

– Vary depending on the industry, work area, and

health/safety issues

– Some are vague, some specific

– Should pose no safety hazards

• Observe how your managers dress

INFLUENCES OF DRESS

• Work wardrobe: clothes primarily worn to

work and work-related functions

– Start with basic pieces and be conservative

– Items should fit properly, be comfortable, and not

wear out quickly

– Develop a style that conforms to both company

policy and your taste

INFLUENCES OF DRESS

• Basic pieces for women:

– Simple, solid, dark skirt or pantsuit

– Blazer

• Basic pieces for men:

– Dark slacks

– Jacket

– Tie

TALK IT OUT

Identify local stores where you can purchase

professional attire at a low cost

CASUAL WORKDAYS AND

SPECIAL EVENTS

• Casual workdays: days when companies

relax their dress code

– Dress appropriately for work

– Do not wear tattered, stained, or torn

clothing

– Avoid shirts with sayings or graphics that may

offend

others

– Dress modestly

– When visiting different geographic locations,

research appropriate attire

TALK IT OUT

Identify people in class who are wearing
something appropriate for a casual workday

TIPS FROM HEAD TO TOE

• Shower daily and use deodorant

• Use perfume, lotion, or cologne sparingly

• Clothes should fit properly and be clean

and ironed, not torn and no sweat suits

• Hair should be clean, well kept, a natural

color, and professional

• Practice good dental hygiene

– Brush and floss

TIPS FROM HEAD TO TOE

• Hands and nails should be well-groomed

– Neat and conservative if polished

• Jewelry should be kept to a minimum

– Avoid large and gaudy

• Shoes should be in good condition

– No flip-flops

• No hoodies, no wearing sunglasses inside,

and earbuds should not be visible

TIPS FROM HEAD TO TOE

Women

• Shoes in good condition, not too high

• Nylons, socks free of snags

• Makeup should be minimal for day wear

– Use natural colors

• It is not acceptable to wear suggestive

clothing

– No visible cleavage, bare midriffs, or

undergarments

TIPS FROM HEAD TO TOE

Men

• Shoes polished, scuff free, match pants

• Shave and/or trim facial hair, including nose

and ear hair

• Professional pants with neutral belt

• Shirts should be tucked in

• Hats should not be worn inside buildings

except for religious purposes

TALK IT OUT

Discuss today’s fashions and trends that
would or would not be appropriate for the
workplace

JEWELRY, BODY PIERCING,

AND TATTOOS

• Do not wear or display anything that brings

unwanted attention

• Follow company policy

• Body piercings and body rings/jewelry may be

offensive to some individuals

• Consider the long-term consequences

– Relationships and situations change

– Consider size, color, graphic, and placement

THINK ABOUT IT

How may a tattoo or piercing affect securing a

job in your target area?

JEWELRY, BODY PIERCING,
AND TATTOOS

• If you already have

body art

and/or piercings, it is

recommended that you cover your tattoo with

clothing, makeup, or other methods until you are

clear on your employer’s policy regarding visible

body art

JEWELRY, BODY PIERCING,
AND TATTOOS

• Nose, lip, and/or tongue rings should not be worn

in a professional setting

• More than two earrings worn on each ear is

considered unprofessional

• Jewelry should not draw attention

– Symbols or words that could be considered offensive to

others

• Body art should not be visible at work

BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

• Etiquette: a standard of social behavior as

seen by society

• Courtesy: exercising manners, respect, and

consideration toward others

• Respect: holding someone in high regard;

putting others’ needs before your own needs

– Treat others as you want them to treat you

TALK IT OUT

Discuss ways to demonstrate courtesy in

class.

BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

Please and Thank You

• These are extremely powerful words that

can create power for you at work

• When someone does something nice for

you, say “thank you”

• Make it a habit to write a thank-you note

when someone does something for you

• Individuals will be more likely to continue

performing kind acts for you

HANDSHAKES

• A good

hands

hake conveys

confidence

• Extend your right hand, make

eye contact and smile while

greeting

• Meet at the web and grip the

other person’s hand

• Gently squeeze and shake

hands

HANDSHAKES

• Do not squeeze too firmly

• Shake the entire hand, not just the fingers

• Do not place your hand on top of the other

person’s hand or pat the hand

• If your palms are sweaty, discreetly wipe

your palm on the side of your hip prior to

shaking

INTRODUCTIONS AND NETWORKING

• Networking: the process of meeting and

developing relationships

– A tool for collaboration

– Initiate conversation

– Focus the conversation on the other person

– Create a positive relationship

TALK IT OUT

What prevents you from initiating a conversation

with someone you do not know? What steps can

you take to overcome these barriers?

INTRODUCTIONS AND NETWORKING

• Introduce the lower-ranking person to the

higher-ranking person

Example:

“Ben, this is Rafaela McClaine, the president of
our company. Rafaela, this is Ben Yu, my

next-door neighbor.”

APPOINTMENTS

• Meetings, phone, Internet

• Check regional time differences and confirm

• Be kind to the receptionist and/or administrative

assistance (gatekeeper)

• State name, purpose, desired date, and time

• Call if late or have to cancel

APPOINTMENTS

• Telephone or Internet

– Use a quiet and appropriate location

– Dress professionally

– Do not use a public location

• Face-to-face

– Arrive 5-10 minutes early, but not earlier

– Introduce yourself

– Thank the participants

DINING ETIQUETTE

• Place your napkin on your lap; if you leave the

table, place your napkin to the side of your plate

• Do not order expensive or messy foods

• Do not order alcohol unless others at your table

first order an alcoholic beverage; abstaining

from alcohol is the most desired behavior

• Do not discuss business matters until everyone

has ordered

DINING ETIQUETTE

• Utensils are set to be used in order of necessity

• Use the bread plate for bread and butter; do not

butter the entire piece of bread at one time

• Offer bread to others before taking yours

• With beverages, offer and serve others at your

table prior to serving yourself

DINING ETIQUETTE

• Begin eating only when everyone at your table

has been served; if everyone receives their meal

except you, give others at your table permission

to begin eating without you

• Do not eat your meal with your fingers unless

your main course can be eaten without utensils

• Be kind and polite to the staff and servers

• Chew with your mouth closed and do not talk

with food in your mouth

DINING ETIQUETTE

• If you accidentally burp or slurp, immediately

apologize and say “excuse me”

• When finished eating, place your knife and fork

together; blade facing in and tines up, when

resting, place fork tines facing down

• It is inappropriate to use a mobile device while

dining; if you must take a call, excuse yourself

from the table

• Pay your portion of bill, or thank the host

TALK IT OUT

Share common dining and social situations that

make you uncomfortable and identify how best

to deal with these situations

TOPIC SITUATION

Briggs

TOPIC RESPONSE:

What steps would you take to ensure you dress

and act appropriately when attending a

business conference?

DINING ETIQUETTE

• R.S.V.P. means “please respond”

• Send a reply, whether you are accepting the

invitation or sending your regrets

DINING ETIQUETTE

• When attending a social functional with other

professionals, remember:

– Refrain or limit the consumption of alcohol

– Only serve yourself a small plate of hors d’oeuvres

and move away from the food table

– Hold your hors d’oeuvres in your left hand, leaving

your right hand free to shake hands and greet

others

– Do not talk with food in your mouth

– Wear a name badge on your right shoulder

OTHER ETIQUETTE BASICS

• Have a pleasant attitude

– Please and thank you

• Knock before entering an office

• Put others first and allow others to go first

• Apologize—everyone makes mistakes

• No profanity in the workplace

• Avoid dominating a conversation—the key is

listening

16
Career Changes

SUCCESS

PROGRESS

LEGACY

After studying these topics, you will benefit by:

• Identifying various methods of increasing

training and development

• Committing to life-long learning and the

practice of professionalism

• Naming the various changes in employment

status that can occur in one’s career

After studying these topics, you will benefit by (cont.):

• Demonstrating appropriate behaviors to exhibit

when embarking on a new job search and when

leaving a position

• Describing the opportunities, benefits, and

resources to become an entrepreneur

• Integrating professional behavior into your life

plan

CAREER CHANGES

• Career changes should be welcome because

they mean you are accomplishing and updating

your goals.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

• Training: learning new skills

• Development: enhancing existing skills

• Be aware of key duties within other

departments

• Increase your knowledge and understanding

of the company mission and strategy

TOPIC SITUATION

Destin

TOPIC RESPONSE:

Should Destin attend?

Why or why not?

CONTINUAL LEARNING

• Continual learning: the ongoing process of
increasing your knowledge in the area of your
career

• Formal learning: returning to college to
increase knowledge, improve skills, or
receive an advance degree

• Informal learning: reading career-related
magazines, newsletters, Internet research, or
informational interviews

CHANGES IN EMPLOYMENT STATUS

• Natural to desire a job change

• Reasons for change include:

– Acquired experience

– Higher salary

– Improved work hours

– Increased responsibility, status, and power

– A perceived decrease in stress

– Desire for different work environment and/or

colleagues

NEW

JOB SEARCHES

• Inform others of your desire for a new job
only if:

– Increased education

– Moving away

– Mastery of job skills

• Secure a letter of recommendation

• Keep job search confidential if your desire for
new job is not based on any of the above

JOB SEARCHES

• Conduct search during non-working hours

• Display grace and style

• Remain positive

• When asked about job search, keep
explanation brief and simple

– Not appropriate to share details about potential
employers or status of job search

CHANGES IN EMPLOYMENT STATUS

• Changes in employment status include:

– Promotions

– Voluntary terminations

– Involuntary terminations

– Lateral transfers

– Retirement

PROMOTIONS

• Promotion: moving to a position higher in

the organization with increased responsibility

• Steps toward getting a promotion:

– Begin behaving and dressing for the desired

position

– Secure copy of job description for desired job

– Develop new skills

– Watch and learn from others

PROMOTIONS

• When you are promoted:

– You will receive:

• An increase in pay

• A new title

• New

responsibilities

– Thank former boss

– Never gloat

– Try not to reinvent the wheel

– Ask for and accept help from others

TOPIC SITUATION

Rachel’s Opportunity

TOPIC RESPONSE:

Based on everything you have learned in this

course, what additional activities can Rachel do to

position herself for a promotion?

VOLUNTARY TERMINATIONS

• Voluntary termination: leaving your job on your

own (new job or retirement)

– Do not quit your job unless you have one waiting

– Be professional and do not burn bridges

• Letter of resignation: written notice of your

voluntary termination

– Two weeks’ notice – Typed

– Provide final day – Be positive

– Sign and date letter

February 1, 2018

Susie Supervisor

ABC Company

123 Avenue 456

Anycity, USA 98765

RE: Notice of Resignation

Dear Ms. Supervisor:

While I have enjoyed working for ABC Company, I have been offered and

have accepted a new position with

another

firm. Therefore, my last day of

employment will be February 23, 2018.

In the past two years, I have had the pleasure of learning new skills and of

working with extremely talented individuals. I thank you for the

opportunities you have provided me and wish everyone at ABC Company

continued success.

Sincerely,

Jennie New-job

Jennie New-Job

123 North Avenue

Anycity, USA 98765

Sample Letter of Resignation

VOLUNTARY TERMINATIONS

• Do not behave or speak negatively

• Leave in a manner that makes the company

want to rehire you

• Remain professional

• Turn in keys, name badge, company property

• Do not take or destroy company property

• Take only personal belongings

• Preserve confidentiality

TOPIC SITUATION

Audrey Leaving a Job

TOPIC RESPONSE:

If you leave your employer on a bad note, what

steps can you take to correct the situation?

VOLUNTARY TERMINATIONS

• Exit interview: when an employer meets with
an employee who is voluntarily leaving a
company to identify opportunities to improve
the work environment

– Questions regarding former position, boss, and
work environment

– Goal is to secure constructive input on how to
improve company

– Share opportunities for improvement

– Do not get personal

– Remain professional

INVOLUNTARY TERMINATIONS

• Involuntary termination: when you lose
your job against your will

• Involuntary terminations include:
– Firing: terminated for poor performance

– Layoff: result of company financial issue

– Restructuring: company change of strategy

TALK IT OUT

If you were laid off, what are the first three

things you would do, and why?

INVOLUNTARY TERMINATIONS

• Work recall: employee is called back after
being laid off

• Furloughs
– Employees take unpaid work days

– Required

– Not due to poor performance

– An effort to save financial resources

– Use time wisely

THINK ABOUT IT

What is the best way to use your time during

a furlough day?

OTHER MOVES WITHIN

THE ORGANIZATION

• Lateral move: transferred to another area of

company with the same pay and

responsibilities

• Demotion: a decrease in job title, status, and

pay

• Retirement: employee voluntarily leaves

company and will no longer be working

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

• Entrepreneur: someone who assumes the

risk of succeeding or failing in business

through owning and operating a business

• Reasons people become entrepreneurs:

– Would rather work for themselves

– Want more control of work environment

– Want more income

– Have lost their jobs and are unable to find

another

TALK IT OUT

What type of business would you like to own?

What steps do you need to take to make this

dream a reality?

CAREER SUCCESS

• Do not change jobs too frequently

• Those with healthy careers rarely stay in one job

• Keep résumé updated

• Doing so keeps you motivated to:

– Take on additional responsibilities

– Increase knowledge, skills, and abilities

– Be prepared for career opportunities

Keep focused on your life plan and

consistently display professionalism

so you will be positioned for a

lifetime of workplace success.

Turn in your highest-quality paper
Get a qualified writer to help you with

“ professionalism in the workplace ”

Get high-quality paper

NEW! AI matching with writer

Hire a Writer

Client Reviews

4.9

Sitejabber

4.6

Trustpilot

4.8

Our Guarantees

100% Confidentiality

Information about customers is confidential and never disclosed to third parties.

Original Writing

We complete all papers from scratch. You can get a plagiarism report.

Timely Delivery

No missed deadlines – 97% of assignments are completed in time.

Money Back

If you're confident that a writer didn't follow your order details, ask for a refund.

New to Your Trusted Assignment Help Service? Sign up & Save

Calculate the price of your order

Type of paper needed:

Pages:

You will get a personal manager and a discount.

Academic level:

We'll send you the first draft for approval by at

Total price:

$0.00

Power up Your Academic Success with the
Team of Professionals. We’ve Got Your Back.

Power up Your Study Success with Experts We’ve Got Your Back.

Order Now Order Now