Skip to main content

Time to Polish Our Professional Presence

 Professionals behaving professionally
Spring Cleaning

As winter slowly fades away, many begin to focus on spring-cleaning. Typically, the first places we begin to clean in our homes are the places most people can’t see, like going after those dust bunnies hiding in the dark under our beds and couches, getting the step stool out to clean the top of our grubby refrigerator and scouring our well-used ovens.  

Perhaps this year consider a spring-cleaning scrubbing and polishing of our professional presence.  After all, our presence is what defines us in our professional and personal life.  Surprisingly enough, our non-verbal, verbal, and written communication skills project our professional presence.  Our communication skills indicate to others whether we are professional or not.  It really is that simple.  

Not so simple, however, is the each of those components, the non-verbal, verbal, and written communication, are comprised of many other elements or components. The communication package is quite complicated.  So, it is important to concentrate on each of these components and realize that everything about us is sending a message to others.   Decide for yourself what you want that message to convey.  

Additionally, in our social lives, our non-verbal, verbal, and written, indicate to others the type of person we are—nice, confident, sad, bored, friendly, angry, etc.

Please pay careful attention to:

  • Attire and Appearance
  • Body Language
  • Facial Expression
  • Verbal Content and Tone of voice
  • Written
  • Handwriting
  • Grammar
  • Pronunciation
  • Electronic Communication
  • Email
  • Social Networking

Special Note

  • Tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language is 90% to 95% of the content of all messages.
  • Words equal only 5% to 10%

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Job Searching Tools

You lost your job?  Unfortunately, you are in good company.  To help you on your reemployment journey, check out a few free resources to help you prepare for the job search and connect with employers like:  monster.com ,  careerbuilder.com , and   usa.gov/job-search . In mining the Internet, you can find even more than just print advice.  Many sites include videos detailing advice for preparing for the interview.  All of this is free advice and available to all who have the time to search.   However, don’t just lock yourself up in your home office. Get out and meet others in our business/career of interest.  Call companies of interest to request a meeting. Visit career centers, especially from your alma mater. And don’t forget your friends and family.  Let them know about your job search and ask for job leads.   When laid off try to view it as an opportunity to reach for the job you might not have consid...
Post a Comment
Read more

Follow These Steps to Get the Job You Want

  Preparing for the Interview For over twenty years as an etiquette professional, I’ve trained countless job seekers.  Not much has changed in those decades, except our expanded use of technology.   Today, we can apply for a job using Social networking sites, such as LinkedIn.  We commonly use an email program to contact an organization’s HR department.  Additionally, we live on our cellphones.  Many times, we use these electronic appendages to reply to those HR departments and recruiters.  Some of those calls and emails could be the difference between a future job and a trip to the unemployment office.    Consequently, it would benefit all job seekers to follow a few of my suggestions.    Consider Your Use of a Cellphone Sure, texting is fast and convenient.  However, it’s not the best method to use for answering emails from a recruiter or anyone else who may be trying to a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Do women rise when the president of the company arrives?

  Dear Rebecca, Does a lady stand when the president of the company comes to the table? Question on Table Manners Dear Question on Table Manners, Usually everyone rises when the president of the company arrives to the table.  If the men do, the women do.  Women are considered as part of the team in business, there is no gender bias. Sincerely, Rebecca More by Rebecca Do I tip the server at a formal function? Interview: business meals & handshakes How to Eat Difficult Foods at a Business or Social Function
Post a Comment
Read more