Your behavior is the greatest method of displaying professionalism. Actions speak louder than words. You should focus on the following professional behaviors:

• Speak honestly and with kindness. You should always think before speaking.
• Be polite, courteous, and respectful of others.
• Avoid gossip. This can strain relationships and is difficult to reverse.
• Maintain ethical behavior at all times. A person of integrity behaves the same whether someone is watching or not.
• Respond when being addressed by others.
• Say “please” and “thank you” when speaking to others.
• Reply as soon as possible to emails and voice mails.
• Respect others’ beliefs and refrain from making insulting or negative comments.
• Display attentive body language when engaged in conversation with clients and coworkers.
• Practice active listening and rephrase statements back to the speaker to ensure understanding.
• Prioritize tasks and avoid procrastination.
• Know when to ask for assistance.
• Complete work as quickly as possible and always follow through on commitments.
• Be accessible to others during work hours.