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Aspiring Scholars Workshop 10-1

Professionalism

(Professional Etiquette)

OFFICE OF HEALTH CAREER PATHWAYS

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What is Professionalism and Why is it important?

Professionalism is the conduct, behavior, and attitude of someone in a work or business environment (this includes school and volunteer environments)

Leads to workplace success, a strong professional reputation and a high level of work ethic and excellence

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Four Areas of Professionalism:

Attitude: positive attitude, body language, respect, enthusiastic, composure

Performance: being accountable for actions (no excuses), punctuality, no cell phone use, producing high quality work

Appearance: business attire (or proper work attire), natural hair colors, NO visible tattoos or piercings, no messy hair

Ethical Standards: honesty, integrity, maintaining confidentiality, monitoring social media

Attitude

Performance

Appearance

Ethical Standards

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Examples of Professionalism Include:

Showing compassion for others

Demonstrating respect

Responding appropriately to the emotional response of others

Being on-time and prepared

Demonstrating a calm, compassionate, and helpful demeanor towards those in need

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Characteristics That Universally Turn Off Employers

Characteristics that employers cite as being unprofessional and unacceptable include:

Showing up late or delivering assignments late
A poor work ethic
Gossip
Complacency
Minimal performer
A lack of coach-ability (resists direction)
Conducting personal business at work
A lack of humility (thinking you are better than you are)
Whining and complaining
A sense of entitlement

(see this excellent video on The Entitlement Creed)

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Remember: Age does not define maturity.

Sensitivity, manners, and how you act show your maturity.

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Tips to Remember Include:

Honesty
Respect
Time management
Communication
Integrity
Dress
Personal and corporate goals

Professionalism and Ethical Behavior can benefit your Education and Career and improve your chances of future success…

Tips to Remember Include:

Honesty – always be truthful & trustworthy

Respect – being mindful of your tone and words, apologize for errors, keep your personal opinions to yourself

Time management - don’t be late, instead arrive a few minutes early to settle.

Follow lunch and break schedules by leaving and returning on time.

Communication - speak clearly and act courteously using good manners when engaging with others. Listen to others when they are talking or explaining, and don’t engage in office gossip.

Integrity - act ethically and always do the ‘right’ thing. Remain impartial keeping any personal bias and intolerances out of the workplace.

Dress – clean and appropriate clothing

Personal and corporate goals – know your own goals and the goals of the company to align best practices

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Be Respectful:

THINK before you post. Always use appropriate language in all electronic communications.
Be mindful of what you display or share. Never use hate speech or any explicit/violent

In a virtual world…

Be Responsible:

Be on time and present
Have materials ready
Use chat features to show engagement
Turn on camera
Dress appropriately

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1. Be Clear and Concise

2. Use Professional Language

3. Active Listening

4. Non-Verbal Communication

5. Prepare and Practice

6. Be Respectful and Considerate

7. Follow Up/Confirm Understanding

Effective Communication Tips in a Professional Setting

1. Be Clear and Concise

Focus on Key Points: Keep your message direct and to the point.

Avoid Jargon: Use simple language that everyone can understand.

2. Use Professional Language

Politeness Matters: Use “please,” “thank you,” and “excuse me.”

Appropriate Tone: Maintain a respectful and formal tone.

3. Active Listening

Show Engagement: Nod, maintain eye contact, and avoid interrupting.

Ask Clarifying Questions: Ensure you understand before responding.

4. Non-Verbal Communication

Body Language: Stand or sit up straight; avoid crossing arms.

Facial Expressions: Use positive expressions to convey interest and engagement.

5. Prepare and Practice

Plan Ahead: Think about what you want to say before speaking.

Rehearse: Practice your communication skills to gain confidence.

6. Be Respectful and Considerate

Acknowledge Others: Give everyone a chance to speak and be heard.

Adapt to the Audience: Tailor your communication style to suit your audience.

7. Follow Up

Confirm Understanding: Ensure that the message was received as intended.

Provide Updates: Share relevant information or progress as needed.

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Email Etiquette Tips

Use a Professional Email Address
Write a Clear Subject Line
Use a Proper Greeting Address
Be Clear and Concise
Use Proper Grammar and Spelling
Be Polite and Professional
Include a Professional Signature
Respond Promptly
Be Mindful of Tone

1. Use a Professional Email Address

Format: Use a combination of your first and last name (e.g., john.smith@example.com).

Avoid Nicknames: Stay clear of informal or silly usernames.

2. Write a Clear Subject Line

Be Specific: Summarize the purpose of your email (e.g., “Request for Homework Extension”).

Avoid Generic Titles: “Hi” or “Question” doesn’t provide enough information.

3. Use a Proper Greeting

Address the Recipient: Use “Dear [Title] [Last Name],” or “Hello [First Name],” depending on formality.

Avoid Informal Openings: “Hey” or “Hiya” may be too casual for formal emails.

4. Be Clear and Concise

Get to the Point: State your main message or request early in the email.

Keep It Short: Avoid long paragraphs; use bullet points if necessary.

5. Use Proper Grammar and Spelling

Proofread: Check for typos and grammatical errors before sending.

Avoid Slang and Emojis: Use standard language and punctuation.

6. Be Polite and Professional

Show Respect: Use “please” and “thank you” as needed.

Stay Neutral: Avoid overly emotional language or comments.

7. Include a Professional Signature

Sign Off: Use a formal closing like “Sincerely” or “Best regards.”

Include Contact Info: Your full name and, optionally, your contact number or class.

8. Respond Promptly

Timely Replies: Aim to respond within 24 hours.

Acknowledge Receipt: If you need more time, send a quick note to acknowledge the email and indicate when you’ll follow up.

9. Be Mindful of Tone

Avoid Misinterpretation: Without vocal tone, written text can be misinterpreted. Be clear and courteous.

Re-read: Ensure your tone is respectful and professional.

10. Use the Cc and Bcc Fields Wisely

Cc (Carbon Copy): Use for keeping others in the loop.

Bcc (Blind Carbon Copy): Use for privacy when sending to multiple recipients.

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Professionalism Group Activity

IN GROUPS OF FOUR:

Work together to create a 5-slide presentation

Slide 1- Title slide
Slides 2-5: Individual Slides

Content: Each slide will focus on one of the four areas of professionalism. Use sentences, words, and pictures to describe professionalism in your area.

Roles:

Team Leads: Organize the group, assign slides, and combine slides into one presentation.
Timekeeper: Ensure the team stays on track with time.
Group Spokesperson: Introduce the team and present the slides. Each member will present their assigned slide.

Note: Be creative, colorful, and clear in your descriptions. Presentations will be scheduled for the next available class period.

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Work (job)

School (on-campus)

Online (social media, virtual school)

Volunteer work (community, school, or clinical work)

Each group member will select one slide to work on and will create a slide that represents what

they think professionalism looks in one of the following 4 areas

Divide the work: