If you behave in a professional way and have a positive attitude towards your work you are likely to climb up the ladder of success.

Just as people judge you in a few seconds about the way you dress, they are also really quick to judge you by your non-verbal body language, as this shows your attitude towards what you’re doing. The gestures we make, the position in which we hold our bodies, the expressions we wear on our faces and the non-verbal qualities of our speech all contribute to how others view us. Did you know that body language is thought to be about 55% of communication so no matter what you say, your non- verbal actions are more important!

So how should you behave?
Always use positive body language. You don’t want to be huddled behind your desk with earphones stuck in your ears! This doesn’t show a very positive, interactive approach to your work. And be careful of rubbing your nose – it often is interpreted as showing that you either don’t like the idea you’re hearing or that you’re lying!

Here are some ideas about how you should behave:
• Always sit or stand up straight when talking to others in an office
This shows that you’re engaged and interested in what is being said. Being hunched also shows a lack of confidence.
• Make eye contact with your speaker
This can be difficult because there are cultural aspects to whether we look people in the eye or not. But, not looking at a person in the eye can be interpreted as weakness or a lack of interest so it’s better in the work place to look at someone when they are speaking to you.
• Face your speaker and unfold your arms
Folded arms can show that you are not happy with what is being said to you.
• Carry yourself confidently
This is as simple as smiling as you walk, walking briskly, looking forward and not down and walking with your arms by your sides.
• Shake hands firmly
This also shows that you are confident and positive.

Here are some other things to think about:

These days your attitude to your life is often shown in social media. It’s really important to clean up your e-life! Make sure your friends don’t post inappropriate things on your social media profile. Potential employers stalk you before they hire you so make sure you are happy with what they see!

Cellphones have become the modern addiction and they are causing problems in the workplace. Try not to look at them too often because this shows that you’re not that involved with what you’re doing.
Always be punctual. This is often one of the smallest but most important things you can do to make sure you have a great professional image. Don’t be absent without good reason either.
Meet the deadlines that your boss gives you.

Keep inappropriate jokes, prejudice and gossip out of the work place.

Always be polite and respectful to others and support your colleagues. Thank people when they have done something for you. Try not to interrupt people when they’re speaking, especially in meetings.
One of the best ways of having a GREAT professional image is doing your job well! If you do it properly your boss will be very happy with you. So often we have the mindset that we’re going to try and get away with doing as little as possible. This usually doesn’t go unnoticed so if you want to go far in your career, do everything as well as you can. Be proud of what you do.

If you make a mistake, it’s always the best thing to admit it and then fix it. We all make mistakes and usually your manager will be more understanding if you admit it rather than try and cover it up. At the very least, they will know that you are honest and this is the most important thing of all.

Don’t be afraid of asking questions if you don’t understand. It’s much better to do that than waste time and energy on something that you haven’t got right in the first place. If you need to ask it then it’s not a stupid question! Don’t worry if you think it makes you look bad – it’s SO much better than messing up in the long run…

Try and keep a tidy workspace and clean up after yourself in a shared space.

And last but not least volunteer for extra projects! You’ll definitely get that promotion when it comes along.

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