Hey everyone! Sitting in American National Government thinking about how my teacher looks and behaves like she should work at the DMV and be miserable for the rest of her life.

That got me thinking, how do people go to work knowing that they dont, in any way, look professional?

Maybe they just don't realize it. So I'm going to compile a few basic rules that establish my interpretation of looking professional.


Appearance is a good place to start.

Appearance is everything when you're in a professional environment. It is crucial that you look mature, professional, and clean. If youre in any position of power, wether it be a principal, teacher, manager, or business owner, you need to look professional at all times.*

One main key to appearing professional is dressing well. Wear clothes that fit, aren't too tight but aren't too baggy, make sure they're always cleaned.*
** * If you're unsure what to look for in clothes, refer to my previous guide: This Shirt is Too Big! A Skinny Kids Guide to Dressing Well (Shirt)

- If you're in a professional environment, and making decent money, put up the extra cash and get your clothes dry cleaned. IT IS WORTH IT.

- Iron your clothes. Having wrinkles in your clothing is unavoidable, and everyone understands that it does happen. However, as much as I wish it wasn't true, wrinkles make your clothes look dirty. It might take time, but once again, IT IS WORTH IT.

((Time Crunch Solution)): Throw your already dry clothes in the dryer for 5-10 minutes, hang them on a hangar (NOT A WIRE HANGER) for another few minutes. It's no substitution to ironing, but it's a quick fix if you're in a hurry. You can do this while you're showering and cleaning up!

- Know the occasion, never under-dress, never over-dress! This is very important. Do not wear a suit and tie to a casual occasion. Even if it's just with some co workers after a long day, you need to dress appropriately, because with some determination, you could be their boss one day! My rule of thumb is if I'm not sure, jeans and a nice button down shirt. Don't be afraid to ask what others are wearing, it's better than wearing a t shirt when everyone else has a tie on!

Some obvious things; don't sweat, avoid it at all costs. Wear deodorant, cologne in moderation. Get yo hair did. Look nice.

Another key to being professional is your body language. My interpretation of body language tends to be a little more broad than others. These few tips will make everyone think you enjoy your job (AND YOU SHOULD).*

- Confidence: Always be confident. Confidence subconsciously causes you to have strong, positive body language. It is very important and this rule should never be forgotten.*

- Have a positive attitude, always. This is by far one of the most important things I can think of when in a professional environment. Even if things aren't going your way, don't let it bother you. Keep smiling, keep holding pleasant conversations, and do not let anyone know you're upset. It will pay off in the long run.

This next rule is a HUGE pet peeve of mine.*

- DO NOT CHEW GUM AT WORK. There is NOTHING that looks as unprofessional as chewing gum. Nothing. If your breath is bad, have a mint or breath strip handy. It disgusts me when someone in a professional environment is chewing gum. Just don't do it. I work at a convenience store so do not doubt me when I say *I will personally find you and hit you in the face with our next shipment of Tic-Tacs.

- Be outgoing, but not too outgoing. Talk but don't over talk. Theres a lot of ways to say it. Don't just talk TO people, have conversations WITH them. Your boss isn't just your boss, they're a person who's proven that they have the ability to conduct themselves in a professional manner. They will appreciate a good conversation now and then, don't be afraid.*


BE POLITE. This is also one of the most important rules. It doesn't matter how much you want to brutally murder the co worker you're conversing with, you need to be polite because chances are someone is watching you. Your boss knows who likes who and who hates you, they are going to think VERY positively of you if they see you civilly talking to someone they know you don't like.*


Now for some more specific things, some ways to conduct yourself in certain situations.

[COLOR="rgb(255, 140, 0)"]Business lunch or dinner:[/color] This is an excellent opportunity to show how good of an employee you really are. This is also an excellent opportunity to overdo it and look like a snobby dick. Participate in conversation, don't incessantly compliment your boss and for the love of god don't pick up the entire check.bother basic rules apply here too. Don't interrupt anyone, not even people under you, it just comes off as rude. Don't chew gum, do not by any means use your cell phone, and avoid any complaining at all, especially about the food or restaurant.

Company meeting: My idea of a company meeting is telling you what the employees are doing perfectly, and what could use some improvement. As someone who frequently holds and conducts these my advice here should be taken into strong consideration. When I'm holding these meetings I want people to participate. If you have something to say, say it, at the right time. Don't interrupt, but don't sit there and say nothing for an entire hour. Your boss will always ask if you have any suggestions or input, hopefully you do. Don't be afraid to say that your boss overlooked something that needs improving, they will take it well.*

JOB INTERVIEW: This is a very important time of anyone's life. Wether it be at a gas station or a fortune 500 company, you need to be professional. Everything from this guide thus far should be applied here. Dress well, be confident, polite and happy. Do not appear nervous, even if you are. Confidence is key, and the interviewer will notice that.



I think a good way to finish off this little segment is to write a quick opinion of how to converse with others.

Whenever I'm having a conversation with someone I don't know, or anyone at all for that matter, I make sure to genuinely take an interest in what they're saying. Even if my girlfriend is talking about makeup (freaking makeup...) listen and understand what they're saying, and respond accordingly. If you take a genuine interest in other people, and what other people do, you will find yourself having much better conversations and in the long run, more genuine friends.*


Thank you for reading. Hopefully all of you enjoyed it, and even better, I hope some of you take something from it and use it in the real world.

*applause*

the guide is absolutely excellent, everything about being professional in this thread is spot-on. great job writing it.

Thank you for the very clear and detailed guide about life and professionalism.

I sure learnt some pointers here.

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This is a great guide to becoming a professional.
I learned quite a bit from this, hopefully others will too!
Thank you.

Very clear and well written. Most importantly the tips were great. I have known all of these tips already but they are useful for others as well