How to Be Taken Seriously as a Professional
Whether you’re entering the professional world for the first time, or you’ve been working for a while, being taken seriously in your work environment is something most individuals strive for. It’s important to feel valued and respected at the place where you spend the majority of your time during the week. As you navigate the working world, here are a few easy tips to keep in mind if you’re looking to be taken more seriously as a professional.
Maintain Admirable Habits
Maintaining admirable habits can be defined as simply doing your job to the absolute best of your ability. Professionals who are respected and taken seriously for their work are those who are consistent in their day to day practices. Develop a reputation of always coming to work on time, or even earlier than your other coworkers. Place a high value on organization, attention to detail, and availability. That one coworker you admire for their rapid response to emails? Strive to be like them. Cultivating habits that show both your boss and those you work with how much you value your job is the perfect place to start in order to be taken more seriously.
Dress the Part
Whether we want to admit it or not, the way we look does play a part in how others perceive us. While it’s important to never change yourself for the sake of other people, it’s worth it to put some effort into your appearance at work. On mornings where you would rather stay in bed than go to work, it’s easy to put little to no effort into your daily look. However, if you want to be taken seriously as a professional, make it a point to look as put together as possible when you walk into the office. Work on establishing your style and owning your look. You can go all out and splurge on your look, or you can hunt for stylish used clothing options to save some extra cash. There are many ways to save on a professional look by shopping used at your local consignment store or even shopping used online. You can find classy Madewell styles for less on easily accessible sites like thredUP. Putting your best foot forward with your look will never be something you regret. Getting more serious with your style will merit the professional respect you’re striving for in the long run.
Be Honest
For most, speaking your mind at work can be a nerve-racking experience. It’s important to know when is best to be sure you’re being heard, and when is best to hold back with your thoughts. But, when an opportunity does present itself for you to voice your opinion, be honest with what you have to say. Those who are serious about their job and the betterment of their work environment will not hold back their feedback. While everything you may voice might not always take the popular vote, you will be better respected for having spoken up in the first place. It’s important to be honest about the things you may want to see change. A good employer will see feedback as room for growth and maturity as opposed to simply a worker’s complaints.
Separate Your Personal Life
Professionals who value their jobs and take them seriously know how to separate their personal lives from the office. While there is nothing wrong with confiding in your coworkers from time to time, it’s important to minimize the intersection of the things that go on at home and the things that go on at work. In order to be taken more seriously as a professional, mastering this distinction is a must. Be sure to keep the conversations about your family and friends casual and know when to stop if you think you’ve shared too much. Remind yourself that you directly contribute to maintaining a positive office environment. While it might be tempting to spill the tea on the latest personal life gossip you’ve heard, you’ll be much better off in the long run if you keep these things to yourself. Do yourself a favor and remember where you are the next time you feel the urge to jump in on a discussion that is clearly not meant for the workplace.
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