In a period when businesses in most developed countries are experiencing mass resignation of their employees, one would wonder if the topic of career development is still relevant. Yes, it is. People are constantly graduating from college and seeking a future. Young and older professionals are relentlessly exploring opportunities for career success.
It is important to note that the great resignation did not produce idle people around the world. Rather, the pandemic made people consider what really matters to them; leading to the mass resignation of employees who moved into some other things. According to IndiaExpress, 4.5 million workers in the US left their jobs in November 2021 as reported by the US Labour Department and an estimated total of 75.1 million people in the US quit their job in 2021.
My definition of great resignation is that people are moving in mass to find or do things they find meaningful given their post-pandemic reality or journey.
So in this piece, whether you have moved to a new job, transitioned to a new career path, or moved to a new city or country to start your dream business, you will find this useful.
Professionalism is a key attribute to have in a business or a career. Certain work traits can make someone be branded as being professional or unprofessional. Any of these labels can produce or destroy opportunities. Say, a business deal, career progression, opportunity for promotion, salary raise, or personal brand image.
Examples of good professional traits include – the quality of work; efficiency in the discharge of work or project; respect for time (an instance, time set for a meeting or a deliverable); respect for others – colleagues, co-workers, bosses, or clients; trustworthiness; being reliable and dependable.
In some workplaces, professionalism is being properly dressed to suit the organisation’s dress code or simply being well-groomed in appearance.
Your guess is good as mine. Opposite of these are unprofessional traits that people would find displeasing. It is not a good thing for a co-worker or a client to say that a person cannot be relied upon to deliver on their words or depended on to get things done. Someone can make a company lose a deal or customer through unprofessional behavior.
Benefits of professionalism include: improves the personal brand image, can make people speak up for you when it matters, could lead to job or business referrals or other opportunities for growth and success.
Summarily, professionalism is the sum total of who you are and what you do at work or in business. Its list is more than the few examples I have listed here. So you seek career development – think of the many ways to exhibit professional behaviours. Professionalism is a trait too important not to have for a career or business.
I hope this has been helpful. If you like what you have read, do visit the Resources –Careers’ section of my website www.careersandpeople.com for more job search and career guides. And remember to click the share button to share this with your network, comment, or ask questions below. I will be glad to interact with you.
My best wishes in your career journey.