No, I know you’re not like Corey Fuller and Vinston Painter,
two Virginia Tech football players, who got to Go PRO this year in the National
Football League (NFL) when they were picked in the sixth round of the draft
back in April. But, you can still take
the effort to look like a pro when you’re at work, even if you,
too, are a rookie in your first full-time job, but you’re not on TV playing on
Sundays for the Detroit Lions or the Denver Broncos like Corey and Vinston.
What does it take to be a pro?
Be on
time. If Corey and Vinston want to get playing time at their
positions their first year, you better believe they will be on time for every
practice and every game. And, the same thing should be true for you at your
position. Respect others’ time by pacing yourself and making sure you are
punctual for meetings and for arriving to work. Your punctuality or lack thereof,
is an indication of your organizational skills and work ethic. And, if you are
running late, text or call your supervisor.
Be
dressed to impress and for success. Corey and Vinston will suit up
in their uniforms every Sunday for a game. Before and after games and when they
travel to games, they have dress codes to follow. What does the dress code look
like where you work? Even if the code is not in writing, there is
a standard – just observe what co-workers wear. If business casual is the norm
for
your organization, what does it mean? Find out what is acceptable for your
employer. And, being dressed to impress at work is very different from how you
dress to impress to go clubbin’ on Saturday night. Read more about dress here.
Be
aware. As Corey and Vinston embark on their NFL careers, they will
be building professional images. Even though your image may not be as public, in your rookie year, you will also leave an impression on the job. What
impressions do you make? As you shake hands, work on a firm handshake, make
sure you repeat a person’s name, maintain eye contact and smile. Stand up for introductions when
a visitor joins a meeting. Sit forward in a chair so your
energy is directed outward to those with whom you are talking. Do a hand
check--avoid playing with your hair, biting your nails or fiddling with a pen.
Be in
the moment. Although Corey and Vinston probably text and
tweet as much as you do, they are not allowed to have their phones with them at
game time. What’s your game time? Work: meetings, conversations with
co-workers, lunches, dinners, conferences. At these moments, give those you are
with your undivided attention. Save the tweet or text for another time. Like
Corey and Vinston’s coaches, your employer expects you to bring your “A” game,
and only your “A” game. If you’re reading a text, you will not be focused on
the business at hand. If your Mom is
having surgery, and you are waiting to hear from the doctor, let the host of
the meeting know that you are expecting a critical call prior to the start of
the meeting. 
Be
polite. Unlike Corey and Vinston, whose main “office” is a football
locker room which can get really crazy and loud, your work environment requires
some courteous behaviors. Be mindful of co-workers’ time by asking if they have
a minute and knocking (even if their door is open) before you barge into an
office. If you are having a loud conversation, close the office door, and watch
your volume in public areas, like at a reception desk or lobby. Ask before you
remove items from someone’s office. Avoid being too comfortable at work by
keeping your feet on the floor and your shoes on; even if you work for a really
laid back company, don’t start out putting your feet on your desk.
Dale Carnegie, author of How
to Win Friends and Influence People, once said,
“There are four ways, and only
four ways, in which we have contact with the world. We are evaluated and
classified by these four contacts: What we do, how we look, what we say and how
we say it."
Do these 5 B’s to reach your own pro status like Corey and Vinston.
Check back next week where we’ll tackle 5 more B’s for going pro.
P.S. Corey and Vinston, can’t wait to see you “be a pro” on Sundays!
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