Deborah OConnor January 6, 2013

We all make resolutions in the New Year and seldom keep them. Here are some resolutions that should be kept if you want to hang on to your job.

• Projecting a professional image is number one. Positive first impressions are essential and do-overs are nearly impossible. Make it a goal this year to be professionally dressed everyday. You will stand out, you will be noticed, and it can only work in your favor. And in today’s professional climate, your image can be the difference between getting the promotion or being left behind.
• Be technologically savvy. Don’t make your boss or client read through a 3-page email to figure out what you want. State clearly what you want up front and expound if it is helpful for background information. Everyone is busy, short on time, and they don’t need long-winded emails. Just because something is urgent to you, does not mean it is urgent to someone else.
• Have excellent table manners. Many business meetings take place over a meal. Whether it be an early morning breakfast meeting, a working business lunch, or a formal business dinner, you are expected to have impeccable manners. You fool yourself if you think people are not watching you. They are!!!
• Punctuality is showing respect. Being punctual is a habit that can be learned. Constantly being late is irritating, thoughtless, and a promotion-killer. Forget the excuses and be on time.  
• Observe cubicle etiquette. The only thing worse than not working yourself is to stop others from doing their job. If you are the person that constantly interrupts everyone, just don’t plan on a promotion this year.
• Eating at your desk in your cubicle or at a meeting is not only distracting it is rude and inappropriate. Smells, sounds of chewing, spilling, burping are all disgusting to your co-workers. Be considerate and eat in private.
• The negative employee. Don’t be the employee who complains about everything. Nothing is ever good enough for you and you let everyone know it. Every new idea is destined to fail and there is usually a scowl on your face. People avoid you like the plague and you may find yourself unemployed in the near future. Unfortunately you have forgotten where your job and salary come from.
• Be a team player. Don’t be the bully, the over-achiever, or the complainer that everyone dislikes. The over-eager kiss-up has few friends and do remember that people who are liked and respected are the ones who get the promotions.

Please feel free to send questions to Deborah at: www.successfulimage.biz.
She will answer them in her weekly column.


Deborah O’Connor is a social strategist and founder and president of Successful Image LLC with offices in Columbia and Atlanta. She offers training and seminars on image management, workplace etiquette, and social skills necessary to succeed in life professionally and personally. Contact at:  [email protected]        www.successfulimage.biz