Designing a Professional Image
by Sharon Pierce-Williams, M.Ed., CPRWJobRockit, Owner / Guru
Recently, I was asked to speak to the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) about building a professional image. While researching the topic, I discovered that whether you are an accountant, lawyer, college student, or small business owner, your professional image is built on the same basics.
Image by Design. Hiring managers know that if people present themselves professionally, they will represent the company professionally.
According to Your First Thirty Days: Building a Professional Image in a New Job by Elwood Chapman, "People who believe they can make things happen, plan the steps and behaviors needed to achieve the outcomes they want."
Some of the most successful people I know created productive relationships from the get-go with a mentor. They sought out a person whose personality and professional goals were aligned with their own—a person who would commit to supporting and enhancing the ideal image—to place them on the fast track to career success.
Look the Part. Susan Whitcomb in 10 Tips For Communicating Your Career Brand, suggests asking for "wardrobe advice from someone who is successful and has a good sense of style. If uncertain about how to dress for a networking event or interview, err on the side of formality."
Act the Part / Create Opportunities. Once dressed for success, it is important to act the professional part. Follow in the footsteps of those who have been successful in your field. Join and participate in professional organizations and activities. If you have been promoted, or have achieved awards/honors, include these in the "Business Briefs" section of your local newspaper. Each time your name is read, people take note and your image begins to build. Write articles on familiar topics and submit them for publication in magazines relating to your industry and arrange speaking engagements on the same topics. Make things happen and be thought of as an expert in your field! The result: awareness and advantages.
Adhere to Ethical Conduct Standards. Ensure competence through ongoing education and legal compliance. Maintain confidentiality with the utmost integrity by avoiding conflicts of interest or accepting gifts in return for favors. Combine these standards with an ability to clearly communicate and you will master part of the professional image formula.
Invest in Your Future. Learning is an investment process. Pursuing a Masters degree and/or certifications and licensures—CPA, CMA, SPHR—provides distinct advantages not only in the job-search process, but also in career advancement. Accountants, for instance, might become proficient in accounting or auditing software, or specialize in international business or legislation (Sarbanes-Oxley) to set themselves apart from other employees.
Polish Your Manners—Etiquette and Netiquette. Whether interviewing or finalizing a business deal, table manners speak volumes about you as a professional. Common sense is the best guide to good manners, but taking a business etiquette class or buying a book to refresh your memory on the general rules would be a plus. Remember to take dining etiquette seriously—the dining table is the boardroom of the future.
The ability to communicate is one of the top-ranking skills required by employers today. Impressions are made by the way we communicate through the written word and, as a result, people with communication abilities are promoted more rapidly and earn higher wages. The same common courtesies extended through normal conversation should be extended through e-mail and the basic tenets of netiquette.
Set Goals / Measure Progress. Keep track of workplace progress for personal and professional reasons. During college workshops, I stress this over and over to graduating students. When corporations downsize, it's common to relay the "You're fired" news first thing in the morning, then escort you to the door not allowing a return to your desk. The documented, quantifiable information in your office could be critical to showcasing your accomplishments for your next résumé! Keep this information available.
Find a Balance. A person does not have to be in a job search to network. It is important to balance productivity while strengthening relationships—the most important skills to professional and personal success.
Reliability, honesty, self-discipline, and respect for others are essential to business success. Once a professional image is designed, it becomes an attitude reflected in daily behavior that aids in advancing your career. Professionalism is for everyone.
Sharon Williams, Owner / Guru of JobRockit, is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW), and a member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers (PARW), Career Masters Institute (CMI), Career Directors International (CDI), and the National Résumé Writers' Association (NRWA).
Sharon holds BSBA and M.Ed. degrees from Bowling Green State University and has served as a college instructor in Northwest Ohio for the last 14 years. She is a Ten-time National Winner of * Best Résumé / Cover Letter Honors * at national conferences. Most recently, she was nominated as one of five résumé writers worldwide for the TORI (Toast of the Resume Industry) Award in the Best Executive Résumé, Best New Graduate Résumé and Cover Letter, Best Professional, Best Career Change, and Most Creative categories. Contact Sharon for questions about driving your job search forward — Sharon@JobRockit.com or 419.422.0228.
