As a Career Advisor for post-secondary students, I get to be in the unique position of seeing both sides of the hiring process—the candidate’s (students and alumni) and the employer’s. A lot of feedback I hear from hiring managers is they are looking for new grads with the interpersonal skills necessary to exhibit professionalism without being taught everything on the job.

“Being professional” is a term we often hear, but it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what that means when you’re about to dip your toes into the workforce for the very first time. Essentially, professionalism comes down to the ability to represent the company you’re working for in a positive light. Here are some of the key skills I focus on to help students develop this ability.

Teamwork

Many jobs involve working in teams, so teamwork and problem-solving skills are highly sought after. Will you support your team members? Are you easy to work with? Are you willing to jump in to help?

Communication

Whether writing an email, doing a presentation, or meeting with clients to discuss project requirements, being respectful, clear, and direct in your communication will take you a long way in your career. And DO NOT be afraid to ask questions—this is encouraged and appreciated. 

Giving and receiving feedback

Be prepared to receive feedback on your work without taking it personally, especially when starting out. But just as important is the ability to give feedback to your coworkers or even superiors. It’s a skill that is essential but definitely requires some practice!

Accountability

Last but not least, have you learned how to follow through on what you promise? Do you manage deadlines and finish projects on time? Take responsibility for your mistakes? Can your team or clients depend on you? Are you WHERE you need to be WHEN you need to be? These might seem like small things, but they show that you care about the work, your team, and the impression you’re giving.

Many students voice concerns with feeling like they have to hide their authentic selves to be professional, but this isn’t the case! Just learn to set boundaries. Be friendly and share details about your life with your coworkers, but know where to draw the line. And at the end of the day, focus on being the type of person YOU would want to work with. You can never go wrong with that!

About the Author

Emily completed a Bachelor of Communications at MacEwan University and her Career Development Practitioner Certification at Simon Fraser University. After spending several years working in marketing on the West Coast, she pivoted to career development and has worked as an Advisor at Capilano University and SAIT. When she’s not working, Emily can be found curled up with her cat, Finn, enjoying a book and a warm cup of coffee. She also enjoys running, taking dance classes, and listening to live music.