Professional Image - Tips to Make a Great Professional Image at Work

Learn what comprises your image at work and why it's crucial to your career success that you have a good professional image on the job. Image is especially important for administrative support professionals. Why? Many administrative assistants and executive assistants work on the frontline and most interact with bosses, colleagues and customers regularly.

Are People Looking at You?

(Why your image matters at work + 9 tips to evaluate your image)

By Karen Porter

The Administrative Professional
Job Performance and Career Success Coach
Assisting Administrative Support Professionals Since 2004

Are people looking at you? You bet. As an administrative professional you're often visibly on the frontline. You interact with customers, co-workers and bosses daily. Sometimes you're the first person these people see or interact with in a day; and sometimes you're the last person too.

Depending on your exact responsibilities and how many other administrative professionals work with you in your department, all of these people may see and interact with you frequently. And even if it's infrequently or limited contact, you're making a lasting impression on them in one way or another. You're doing so through your verbal and nonverbal language. What you say, when you say it and how you say it all contribute to your image. Your dress and mannerisms contribute to your image. The way you perform your job contributes to your image....

YOUR IMAGE IS CRUCIAL IN YOUR CAREER
It's important that you make a good impression at work, says Julie Jansen, a Connecticut-based speaker, trainer, coach and consultant to senior executives, managers, entrepreneurs and sales professionals (www.juliejansen.net). "Unfortunately, that's how people judge you," Jansen says. "People will form opinions based upon the kind of professional image you present. And they will decide whether or not you merit more responsibility, more complex tasks, getting promoted or being included in significant meetings. It's all related."...

...MULTIPLE ITEMS COMPRISE YOUR IMAGE AT WORK
A lot of things contribute to your image. Below are just a few tips on perfecting your image at work and determining where it's at now....

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