How do you present yourself in professional situations?
If you work in an office, you have opportunities each day to interact with people in a work/social setting (after work). Those of us who work in a home office encounter different situations, but much of the same rules apply. Here’s how:
In the Office:
- Watch yourself for talking too much, especially in cubicle areas.
- Be sensitive to them, even when you call them from your desk. Ask, “Is this a good time?”
- Don’t pop into a colleague’s personal space and expect to chat with them for a long time. Ask them at the onset of the conversation if they have a moment to talk and give them the opportunity to say no or set a time parameter with you.
- Be professional and considerate.
After Work, at Happy-Hour:
- Avoid gossip
- Avoid hot-button issues, especially with people you don’t know well. Obviously off-limits? Religion, Money, Politics.
- Stay informed on current events, books, culture, movies, etc. so you have things to talk about.
- When all else fails, there’s always the weather.
- Don’t over do it with the cocktails.
In the Home-Office:
These are things that I do to maintain a professional atmosphere:
- Start and end your workday at the same time each day. Keep scheduled breaks and lunch, so that you are on task and remain effective with your time and resources. This also goes to a consistency with clients.
- Go to your office ready to work and dressed for the day. I use Skype for business from time to time and need to be presentable when I have to do a video call. Just because you work at a home office doesn’t mean you should be in your pajamas all-day, every-day.
- When calling on clients, etc. remember schedule appointments when possible, and ask clients, etc., if they have time to talk when you call on the fly. Be as respectful of their time as you are of your own.
- Have a door that can close and lock (if you have small children) from both the inside and out. This will keep your private calls private and the noise from the others in the house out of your head and work.
- Create boundaries and standards. Work when it’s work time and play when it’s play time. Be clear with loved ones up front on what your work schedule is and what your availability is during those hours. Communication and respect is key here.
