Tips to develop a stellar professional image

Think about every aspect of your behavior and what it symbolizes – this is how your colleagues and superiors judge you. If you do not manage your image, you leave to chance how you are perceived. Ask a friend what your image says about you. You must be willing and able to conform to expectations of certain professional images, if you desire to excel. Cultivating your perceived level of professionalism can be managed in the following ways:
• Dress one level above your current position. Your manager and colleagues see you every day. Dress up.
• Help your colleagues and develop a reputation for being interested in others’ well-being.
• Establish relationships in other areas of the job. These relationships may be useful to you after you are promoted.
• Show energy but do not behave too animated.
• Be relaxed as it will give your superiors confidence in your abilities.
• Demonstrate that you are eager to learn. So initiative in learning various trainings that are supported by your department.
• Develop enthusiastic about company initiatives.
Your true image will be determined when you showcase these top quality image building behaviors after quitting time. Your image will be seen as a symbolism of “hard work”, “a person who is at the top of his or her game”, “proficient executive”, or “team player”. Continue to develop them.
Consider a few other areas that you may want to develop: How do people see your ability to take praise? Who do you eat lunch with? Are you the first to arrive at the office or the first to leave? Do you announce your private life issues to colleagues in the office? Do you dress in expensive attire? If your image is giving misleading signals, you may find it helpful to gradually reconfigure your habits and professional behaviors. You can be assured that your image is working for you when you start to reap the benefits which may be a raise, receiving additional job duties and promotions.