17 Terrific Tips to be Polished and Professional
Forming opinions about people and sharing those impressions with others is something we all do. When asked what you think about someone, our minds recall that individual’s energy, appearance, voice, facial expression, courtesy, written communication, and spoken words. Fortunately it’s in our power to convey the image and effect we desire. Here are some pointers to present your most polished and professional self.
1. Call people by name.
2. Answer your phone with your first and last name.
3. Change your office voice mail daily or weekly noting date and accessibility. Let callers know when you’ll call back or who can assist in your absence.
4. Know and remember one personal detail about others such as family, alma mater, hobby, pets, sports, and interests.
5. When conversing in person, focus your eyes 100% of the time on the other person’s eyes.
6. Before ending a call or a meeting ask, “What else can I help with?”
7. E-mail signatures should include all of your contact information on both originating and reply messages. This confirms professionalism and accessibility.
8. Know and use the preferred communication channel (phone, e-mail, text) of your clients and colleagues.
9. Never speak ill of competitors. You’ll be the one that looks bad.
10. Advise clients of the status of outstanding, pending, or changing issues. Better to take the initiative than to receive a call asking “what’s going on?”
11. Clothes should be age appropriate, well fitting, clean, and pressed. Avoid clothing that is suggestive or too casual.
12. When greeting a person, be the first to extend your hand for a handshake. If seated, stand to shake hands.
13. Acknowledge coworkers with a smile and hello when passing in the hall or in the break room.
14. Your LinkedIn profile is what comes up when someone googles your name. Be certain to maintain a complete, error-free profile that includes a professional picture.
15. Speak grammatically correct English. Do not swear and avoid slang.
16. Be on time for all meetings. Take a seat at the table to show interest and commitment. Avoid sitting in chairs along the side, if possible. Turn off and put away all electronic devices.
17. Keep your workspace uncluttered, clean, and appropriately decorated.
Emily Huling, CIC, CMC helps the insurance industry create top-performing sales, service, and leadership organizations. She can be contacted at emily@sellingstrategies.com.
Emily is a frequent presenter at industry conferences, on the national faculty of the Society of CIC, and is the author of “Great Service Sells”, “Selling from the Inside”, and “Kick Your ‘But.’” For information on her products and consulting services and to subscribe to her free monthly newsletter, visit www.sellingstrategies.com.
Emily Huling Selling Strategies, Inc.
P.O. Box 200 Terrell, NC 28682
Phone: 888-309-8802
Mobile: 704-516-5114
www.sellingstrategies.com