A heads-up about the common business 

attitudes and behaviours expected in the workplace

would be a start, given the challenge of getting relevant and genuine workplace experience.  Here
are 30 tips on being professional, whether as an intern, on a work placement or first graduate job:

1. Be punctual – Set the alarm clock on your mobile – “I overslept” won’t cut it; turn up for
meetings and on time; colleagues will judge you on this
2. Know the dress code – Are you wearing the right clothing that fits with the culture of the
company?
3. Learn business etiquette – Basic manners; what to call people; what are the acceptable
behaviours for making phone calls, emails and participating at meetings?
4. Show confidence & energy – An employer will determine this within 30 seconds of
meeting you; shake hands firmly; make eye contact; stand up straight; be heard and match
your tone to the situation; confident does not mean cocky!
5. Be friendly and sociable – Behaviour breeds behaviour; don’t leave the best of you at
home, bring it to work
6. Be positive and enthusiastic – show a ‘can-do’ attitude; Think again before saying “I
don’t know” or “That’s not in my job description”
7. Show pride– In your work and in the company; talk things up
8. Serious intent – “There is no time for divas, drama, victim statements or whining” says
Mark Babbitt, CEO of YouTern.com ; don’t try and be the office comedian until you’ve
proved yourself
9. Take personal responsibility – Own your job; reflect the values of the company in the
way you behave; stand up for what you believe in and say it skilfully; make decisions,
don’t abdicate
10. Take the lead – You don’t need to ask – leaders do the right things and inspire others;
help shape the culture; know when to follow
11. Show genuine commitment and dedication – Meet commitments to standards set by the
employer; keep your promises; go the extra mile when needed; you’ll recognise it when
you don’t want to let others or yourself down
12. Be accountable – Meet or exceed the expectations of your boss or customers; do what
you say you are going to do, on time to the required quality; stand up and be counted for
your actions
13. Personal integrity – Deliver on promises; be consistent in what you say; ring people
back; ensure your intent, words and actions are aligned
14. Be open, honest and transparent – In your dealings with people inside and outside the
business; show respect by treating colleagues, customers, suppliers and partners as you
would like them to treat you
15. Be reliable & trustworthy – Don’t cut corners; keep confidences; don’t let people down
16. Get on the front foot – Stay off Facebook when there is nothing to do; find something
that needs doing
17. Smart effort with impact – it’s less about what effort you put in and more about the
results you achieve and the attitude you show; that’s what your performance will be
judged on
18. Get your hands dirty – Just showing up isn’t enough; get on with solving a problem or
making a customer happy; help your colleagues
19. Be accurate and thorough – Be consistent, show concern for quality and attention to
detail
20. Offer a solution – We all have an imagination, apply yours to problems facing the
business
21. Be curious – Show you want to learn by asking great questions; show “ relentless
dissatisfaction with the status quo” (Richard Pascale)
22. Commit to personal and professional development – Join a professional association or
group; put yourself forward for projects, roles and opportunities; take a personal risk
occasionally
23. Develop greater resilience – Accept tough love; take failure and difficult feedback on
the chin and bounce back; no-one likes a sulk; learn from experience; be humble and
courageous in the face of setbacks
24. Be flexible – To changing circumstances, information and the needs of the customer; be
prepared to ‘give and take’
25. Manage your career – Take control of your destiny; make decisions based on how you
want to feel in your life; then align it with what the business also needs and wants
26. Communicate well – Be articulate, coherent and concise; listen to understand not to
refute; muddled communication leads to muddled thought; don’t use text-speak;
remember your grammar and use the spell-checker; be tech-savvy
27. Develop your personal brand – Be known as professional at both what you do and how
you do it; develop a positive reputation; be strategic about your identity and public image;
don’t bitch about people, the job or the company behind backs or on Facebook; what do
you want to be known for?
28. Network online and in person – Within the company, with customers, with suppliers,
with industry players; to help you learn the ropes and settle in, build your own confidence
and the confidence of others in you and the company you represent
29. Be a team player – Move from ‘I’ to ‘We’ & ‘The customer’; it’s no longer just ‘you’ to
consider; pitch in especially when there’s a crisis; don’t let people down; make your
unique contribution
30. Embrace diversity – Consciously manage your relationships with people who have
different personalities, preferred work styles, values, age, gender, ethnicity and sexual
orientation