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Professionalism Essay | Essay on Professionalism and Importance of Professionalism at Work Essay

July 22, 2021 by Prasanna

Professionalism Essay: From a career perspective, professionalism is defined as the ability to consistently achieve high standards, on and off the job. However, the exact definition may vary according to different sectors or industries. For instance, maintaining proper professionalism might mean dressing appropriately for the job. In other industries, professionalism may refer to treating customers with respect – before and after-sales. It could also be something as simple as a policy for a social media platform. However, it is important to understand that professionalism does not mean following rules and regulations blindly. Instead, it refers to a set of values that are considered ethically and morally correct. Such values are never written down or formally expressed, but it is the duty of every employee to understand and follow the same.

Employers always seek professionalism in the workplace. However, the actual meaning of “professionalism” seems to vary according to industries and companies. So how does one define the term “professionalism?” Professionalism is not something that can be quantified – instead, it could be seen as a quality that every working professional is expected to have. Others may define professionalism as the ability to consistently achieve high standards in their specific field of work. Others suggest professionalism refers to specific workplace rules or policies – such as formal attire, policies on social media usage, punctuality, customer interaction etc. However, we can identify certain attributes and consider them as the pillars of professionalism. We shall explore these pillars in more detail.

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Knowledge: Keeping yourself updated with the latest and up-to-date knowledge is not just a preference but a necessity in today’s job market. Employers may also actively seek candidates with the latest industry knowledge rather than qualification. This is due to the fact that relevancy has more scope when compared to qualification. Moreover, employers, as well as the employees, need to understand every aspect of their business to ensure maximum productivity. Important facets of business include the design and processes of goods and/or services, the latest trends and industry practices, and awareness of the competitors and their actions.

Competence: One of the most important pillars of professionalism is competency. If your skills and abilities match the requirements of the job, you are said to be competent. Granted, competency does not come easy – it takes hard work and perseverance. Integrity: Integrity prevents you from compromising values that are upheld by your or the organization. This also implies that an employee is trustworthy and dependable.

Conscientiousness: Conscientiousness is a quality of wishing to do one’s tasks and responsibilities thoroughly. However, this does not imply working long hours mindlessly. This is because working long hours can quickly burn you out – causing an overall decline in productivity for that period. Instead, the primary focus must be to work smart and achieve targets consistently and effortlessly.

Respect: This is one of the most important pillars of professionalism. It implies that you respect other people’s values and uphold them through politeness and courtesy. Respecting not just your client, but also your peers goes a long way to building a stable career. It also ensures that there is no friction or other unwanted consequences in the workplace. There is also an age-old saying that states “earn respect by showing respect.” Hence, respect needs to be shown to other people regardless of differences or opinions.

Confidence: This is one of the primary factors that impact a person’s ability to lead and motivate others. Confidence does not come naturally to most. Instead, most will have to step out of their comfort zone and face their fears. It is also one of the most difficult things one can do in a professional setting. This is due to the fact that getting into a comfort zone is quite easy, and years would have passed without gaining any useful skills or achievements.

Emotional Intelligence: Staying calm and composed is integral in a work environment. Without a composed mind, it can be difficult to make sound decisions. Also, work pressure can negatively affect one’s life, hence, emotional intelligence is one of the pillars of professionalism. Emotional intelligence (EI)  also allows one to show empathy – which is the ability to understand how another person feels and experiences the world around them.  EI is also a crucial skill to build rapport, make friends and gain trust with other people in your organisation. To sum up, professional skills alone are not enough to grow in a corporate setting.

Strong Work Ethic: Employers do not usually tell what is wrong or right in most situations. However, one must be able to recognize the difference between the two and always choose the ethically correct route – even if doing so may not be favourable. Research has also shown that employees who are ethically positive and are driven by principles of fairness and decent tend to have increased morale and also showcase consistently better performance in the workplace. In the long run, companies with such types of employees can also improve their corporate image as well as their long-term success. In conclusion, professionalism is an important aspect that everyone should strive to adopt. It can ensure faster growth, richer work life and also impart important ethics and morals.

FAQ’s on Professionalism Essay

Question 1. What is Professionalism?

Answer: Professionalism is defined as the ability to consistently achieve high standards, on and off the job.

Question 2. What are the Pillars of Professionalism?

Answer: There are many pillars of professionalism the most important are:

• Strong Work Ethic
• Conscientiousness
• Emotional Intelligence

Question 3. What are the Characteristics of a Professional?

Answer: A professional must showcase the following characteristics to be successful in their career: Knowledge, confidence, strong work ethics, respect, conscientiousness, emotional intelligence and competence.

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Ensuring Professional Success

By  Michael A. Matrone

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In January, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, I attended a small conference for the Graduate Career Consortium’s Southern Regional members. Among the engaging discussions, the conversation turned to professionalism. By professionalism, I refer to professional behavior in the workplace, not ethics or the responsible conduct of research, although the two are intimately intertwined with professionalism. During the discussion, a conference attendee from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine informed the group of their professionalism policy , a series of “recommendations regarding what it looks like to act professionally.”

The policy got me thinking about how we learn professionalism. The dictionary defines professionalism as “the skill, good judgment and polite behavior that is expected from a person who is trained to do a job well.” What struck me about the definition was “expected.”

Are we expected to know what constitutes skill, good judgment and polite behavior for our work environment and profession? After all, the transition from student and trainee to professional can be a culture shock. Are we expected to know implicitly and abide by adages like “Do unto to others …” or “If you don’t have anything nice to say …”? If so, then our expectation is that professionalism is experiential -- learned by observation, role modeling or from our own mistakes as we make them. In my opinion, one cannot rely solely on experiential learning, as without an explicit and consistent curriculum and standards of measurement, expectations of professionalism become assumptions of professionalism. And as another adage goes, “Never assume, because when you assume, you make an ass out of u and me.”

Anecdotally, my own professionalism education, from undergraduate to postdoctoral, was purely experiential. Professionalism was not in the course catalog, nor was I was told explicitly what was expected of me. And I admit, most likely as a result of my temperamental and uninhibited Northeast upbringing , I learned purely through trial and error -- i.e., the hard way. In one instance, in graduate school, I replied to a departmental email with what I thought was great wit and humor but was in reality poor judgment and impropriety. Needless to say, I offended my colleagues, landed in the department chair’s office, made a formal apology and now know better.

Perhaps in response to trainees like me, didactic training in professionalism may be the new normal. A cursory Google search reveals many online and classroom-based seminars and courses designed to teach you how to act professionally. Similarly, according to the National Postdoctoral Association, which lists the fourth of six core competencies for postdoctoral training as professionalism, 59 percent of higher education institutions offer training in interpersonal skills, as reported in its Institutional Policy Report 2014.

Graduate medical education seems to be following a similar trend. For example, the University of Washington employed a competency rating form to evaluate professional behavior among their urology program residents before and after a professionalism training lecture. Participants scored higher and more consistently following the intervention, “suggesting that residents were more consistent in their professional behavior and/or the faculty observation of resident professional behaviors was more focused.”

How do you, as a graduate student or postdoctoral scholar, gain the professionalism skills you need? Clearly, one way is to seek out didactic professionalism training, perhaps specific to the field you wish to pursue. But what if your career path is yet to be defined or you do not have access to such focused training?

My suggestion is to treat professionalism not as a set of behavioral expectations to be learned, but as tools to advance your career. Though career planning is a personal process, it is not accomplished in isolation. To advance, you must interact with others, and the manner in which you do so affects your professional reputation. You can acquire behaviors associated with professionalism by training in the skills used to relate effectively with others. I recommend that you:

Enhance your emotional intelligence to interact professionally. Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify and manage your emotions and those of others, often measured in terms of your emotional quotient. Emotional-intelligence skills involve harnessing and regulating your own emotions, allowing you to apply them toward specific tasks. Such skills can also help you identify the emotions of those around you, influencing your interactions both personally and professionally in matters of collaboration, conflict resolution and leadership. To learn more, refer to the work of Daniel Goleman, a psychologist and foremost authority on behavioral science and emotional intelligence. Twice nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, he has written extensively on emotional intelligence in the workplace.

Adopt a time-management strategy to plan professionally. Regardless of the career path you take, the ability to allocate your time wisely will allow you to fulfill your obligations and complete projects in a timely manner. It is important to remember, however, that a time-management strategy must also consider how your actions affect the time of those with whom you work. As some of the components of this strategy, you should:

Treat all of your commitments with equal importance. Whether a one-on-one with your supervisor or a training session led by an instructor, treat equally all meetings to which you have committed to attend. The party with whom you are meeting may have invested considerable time in preparation. Not attending or canceling without notice is not simply disrespectful -- it may disqualify you from being invited or included in the future.

Renege with dignity. It is a given that unexpected events occur that may affect our commitments -- we get sick, our cars break down, flights get canceled. If you find yourself in a situation outside of your control that requires you to renege on your commitment, take responsibility. Send a note expressing your regret that you are unable to fulfill your commitment.

Know when to say no. As you manage your career, you will set short-term objectives and long-term goals to help you advance on your career path. Undoubtedly, new opportunities will arise, and you will need to determine those that will guide you on your path and those that will deter you on it. If the latter, it is much more gracious to decline than to commit to something in which you may not be completely invested.

Participate in communication training opportunities and then practice communicating. In order to embody professionalism, you need to communicate like a professional -- both on paper and verbally. The best way to become a better communicator is to practice communicating. Writing about and presenting your research at a conference is one obvious way, but many other opportunities exist, such as joining a Toastmasters club or attending networking events to learn the language of a field in which you are interested. Universally, some sound advice that you should consider is to:

Use business-appropriate language. Consider my story as the cautionary tale and be aware of how the reader may interpret your written communications. The written word lacks inflection and audible tone, so be sure that other people won’t misinterpret your message. In addition, not everyone will share the same sense of humor; in fact, what is humorous to you may be offensive to others.

Be clear and concise in your requests. Many people approach making requests by building a case or argument first and then asking their question at the end. The best piece of advice I’ve ever received for such communications was to reverse that order. Ask first, to be clear about what is being requested, and then build your case or argument, if necessary.

Be aware of your nonverbal communication. Just as your words must convey a professional tone, so too must your appearance and body language. Regardless of the attire that your workplace requires, keeping a clean and well-groomed appearance ensures that colleagues notice you for your expertise. In addition, your body language may convey more than you intend. Though I do not believe that one body position conveys one specific meaning (e.g. folded arms as a sign of frustration), be aware of how your body language conveys your overall demeanor.

The core of the Vanderbilt professionalism policy is that positive professional interactions gain respect and rewards, helping you advance in your career, whereas negative interactions limit future opportunities, holding you back. Seeking training in professionalism will help ensure the former, but didactic training may not prepare you for every situation. If you find yourself in unfamiliar territory where you question how to act, simply ask what is expected, or seek advice from peers, in order to turn the implicit into the explicit.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Life Experiences — Professionalism

Professionalism Essays

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The Main Attributes for Professionalism in Nursing

The importance of professionalism and communication in the healthcare field, potential barriers to professional development, the importance of proper skill and knowledge in nursing profession, the six ethical dilemmas every professional faces, the introduction of professionalism in public relations and its importance in the modern organization, the importance of first job experience, professional identity of a clinical psychology at the masters’ level, professionalism and englishness in the remains of the day, presentation of stevens in the remains of the day, my intent to join world bank ypp (young professionals program), intern experience and building social capital, stewards of the profession: values in a changing world, the importance of professionalism in pharmacy practice, professionalism in nursing.

Professionalism is defined as the standards, practices, or motivations associated with a profession.

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What Does Professionalism Look Like?

• Gretchen Gavett

It may depend on where you’re from.

When we talk about “professionalism,” it’s easy to fall back into the “I know it when I see it” argument.

• Gretchen Gavett is a senior editor at Harvard Business Review.

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Redefining professionalism in the workplace

For Julius Erving, a basketball legend, professionalism in the workplace is simple.

“Being a professional is doing the things you love to do, on the days you don't feel like doing them.”  Julius Erving, basketball player 

In many ways, this quote still holds true in a fast-changing world . Pre-pandemic, our work and personal lives were more separate and divided. For the most part, we left work at work.  

But change has hit the world pretty hard, especially in the last few years. In-person meetings have switched to Zoom or virtual conference rooms. Slacks, button-down shirts, and nice dress shoes have been swapped for sweatpants and slippers.

But now, many of us are working remotely or in a hybrid workforce . The line between personal and work life is blurrier than ever. While the most visible changes might be our outfits on Zoom , the notion of professionalism in the workplace is shifting. 

After all, cats and kids are scattering across keyboards and computer screens. Some workers might be juggling getting their teenagers out the door for soccer practice while also presenting during a team meeting.

Partners, roommates, family members, and loved ones have all “entered” our office space, whether we like it or not. Employees are showing up as their whole selves at work. So when it comes to professionalism in the workplace, it’s evolving quickly. 

So, what does professionalism in the workplace look like today? What does it mean to be a professional in the workplace? 

In this article, we’ll explore: 

• What professionalism means, and how it’s changed over recent years
• How leaders can inspire greater professionalism in their teams  
• How companies can encourage employees to reach for higher levels of professionalism at work 

What is professionalism in the workplace? 

First, let’s define what we mean by professionalism.

What is professionalism in the workplace?

Professionalism in the workplace is when an employee: 

• Excels in the knowledge, skills, and behaviors required by their role;
• Delivers their work to the best of their abilities, even on tough days; 
• Goes above and beyond their job description; 
• Constantly looks for opportunities to grow and improve the organization – and themselves.

You’ll notice we don’t mention outfits or hairstyles. We don’t talk about appearance or physical ways of showing up at work. At BetterUp, we believe that every employee deserves to show up as their whole self. In order to do so, a deep sense of belonging and psychological safety must be established. And while professionalism might’ve once signaled high heels and pressed shirts, that’s no longer the case. For most companies, it boils down to these core principles. 

In fact, a viral social media campaign on LinkedIn has recently challenged what professionalism looks like in the workplace. Thousands of workers uploaded posts with #IAmProfessional to the career networking site. The content? Posts about who they are as people, not just employees. 

4 key indicators of professionalism

1. consistently exceeding expectations.

When we think of professionalism, we tend to think of the employee who goes way above the call of duty. For example, a colleague could hop on a Zoom call last minute to help solve a problem with another teammate. Or a leader could go above and beyond to make sure their employee is onboarded and up-to-speed in their role. Oftentimes, exceeding expectations comes with a healthy dose of learning as you go. 

To maintain a high level of professionalism, you need to be keen to learn and improve. True professionals don’t rest on their laurels. They seek ways to be better at their job or to make their organization a better place to work, every day. 

2. Creating an inclusive environment

True professionals don’t only stand out for their own excellence – they make it easier for those around them to excel too. 

To quote Lorie Corcuera, the head of Human Resources for DNEG : 

“Workplace professionalism is about creating a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for everyone. It's about creating a culture of belonging where people feel they matter and belong. This includes creating a respectful workplace experience as an effective team member, having clear communication , ensuring people feel included, engaging and participating, and taking the time to know our fellow team members.” 

We’ve studied the impact of inclusive leadership on teams . In fact, we’ve found that employees are 50% more productive, 90% more innovative, and 150% more engaged. Inclusive leadership also results in 54% lower employee turnover.

3. Communicating effectively with teammates, customers, managers, and other stakeholders 

Professionalism involves making sure that everyone involved in your work has the information they need to succeed. Great professionals are also great communicators . 

For instance, true professionals don’t shy away from having difficult conversations . They will prioritize the good of the organization over their own discomfort. 

4. Demonstrating integrity and honesty 

Professionalism is more than a question of workplace performance–it also comes down to integrity in the workplace . True professionals don’t dabble in office politics , and they uphold the values of the organization they work for. 

For Tim Reitsma, the General Manager of People Managing People , professionalism comes down to how you behave, not how you look: 

“A professional workplace isn’t one where we are all dressed up in suits and ties (if that is still even a thing!) That’s merely the facade of professionalism. If there’s a culture of gossip, backstabbing, and constant distraction, I'd say there is a lack of professionalism, no matter what everyone’s wearing.”

How professionalism has changed over the years

Today’s employees are renegotiating what professionalism should mean, and abandoning some outdated thinking about what it means to “be professional.”

For instance, professionalism in the workplace is not: 

Conforming to traditional standards of appearance 

While many definitions of professionalism still refer to “neatness” and “dress code”, our ideas about what makes a professional has moved away from what people look like to how well they work.

Today, an unconventional appearance is more likely to be seen as a mark of success than as a sign of unprofessionalism, reports the BBC : think Steve Jobs’ black turtlenecks or General Motors CEO Mary Barra’s leather jackets. 

These days, despite what all our parents told us, tattoos don’t seem to have any negative effect on our ability to find a "good job." In fact, it can lead employees in creative roles to be seen as more professional, rather than less. 

Separating your “work self” and your “home self”

According to Professor Nadia Ibrahim-Taney , whose research focuses on workplace professionalism, “COVID has challenged our belief system about what ‘professionalism’ is and how it works in the modern workforce…[The pandemic has] empowered people to think about how they show up–in general, and for other people–and to speak their own truths as employees.” 

In fact, BetterUp data shows that professionals who bring their whole selves to work are more likely to thrive and excel in the workplace.

Hiding your emotions 

In that vein, being emotionally reserved is no longer a must for professionals in the workplace. While many employees (especially female employees) used to feel under pressure to keep emotions out of the office, a 2018 survey found that nearly half of CEOs saw no issue in occasional tears at work . 

Of course, there are limits to how much emotion is permitted at work. It comes down to empathy . Sharing emotions, such as vulnerability or overwhelm, can be helpful, as they alert our colleagues that we may need additional support.  But allowing our emotions to become invasive or distracting is not professional. 

Consultant and author Simon Sinek calls this “ emotional professionalism. ”  

 “If you’re having a bad day, you can say, ‘Listen, I’m sorry, I’m a little off my game today but you can’t sit in a meeting with your arms folded and be grumpy and give one-word answers. You can have hard feelings, but you can’t go around screaming and yelling at people.”  Simon Sinek, consultant and author  

In fact, it would seem that our ability to express, but also regulate our emotions and those of the people around us is a key component of professionalism in the workplace. 

Instead of suppressing their emotions, researchers at the Yale School of Management propose that leaders should aim to “ reassess the emotional situation ” for themselves and their teams. For example, exploring a stressful event could also offer opportunities for growth and improvement. 

Perfectionism 

Being a professional means holding yourself to high standards at work. However, when that spills over into perfectionism , it can actually hinder your performance . Research published in the Harvard Business Review found that while perfectionism is on the rise, being a perfectionist at work can make you unengaged , stressed, and worse at your job.    

Instead, to be a true professional, you should aim for top performance, of course. But temper your ambitions with vulnerability and a willingness to learn. To quote research professor Brené Brown : 

“The greatest barrier to daring leadership is …armor, or how we self-protect when we’re in fear.” Brené Brown, author, research professor

The importance of encouraging professionalism at work

Well, 87% of employers say professionalism is very important . This is hardly surprising. Given that today’s definition of professionalism encompasses qualities like dedication, initiative, and high standards at work, teams with high levels of professionalism will consistently outperform those without the same professional attitude. 

In fact, if we look at contemporary definitions of workplace professionalism, we can see substantial overlaps with employee engagement.

Engaged employees are more likely to seek opportunities to improve their performance . They are more likely to deliver a consistently strong performance at work . And they are more likely to show initiative and creativity at work . 

In other words, engaged employees are more likely to demonstrate high levels of professionalism. And this professional attitude directly impacts overall organizational performance , increasing everything from profitability to customer satisfaction rates. 

Encouraging professionalism in their teams is therefore one of the key responsibilities of today’s managers. 

How leaders can encourage professionalism in the workplace

To increase the level of professionalism in your team, there are a few simple steps that can have a dramatic impact: 

Foster a culture of inclusivity 

To quote Lorie Corcuera, “ Inclusion and belonging is the new version of professionalism.” A more inclusive organizational culture creates the space for every employee to do their best work. 

For Corcuera, leaders can increase the level of workplace professionalism by creating an inclusive culture where everyone on the team feels they matter and belong. For example, she says leaders can take care to invite everyone in a meeting to contribute: 

“Recently, I attended a meeting and one of the senior leaders shared at the start of the call that it's important to hear everyone's voices. He encouraged everyone to share their ideas, questions, and thoughts. He then paused and waited for people to start sharing.”

By encouraging greater assertiveness in your team, you will also encourage them to push themselves to reach a higher standard – the very core of true professionalism. 

Set a strong example 

It should go without saying, but if you want to promote professionalism in your team, you need to start by demonstrating it yourself. Leading by example means avoiding office politics and favoritism, keeping the communication channels open, demonstrating honesty, and holding yourself to the highest possible standard at work. 

But it also means showing vulnerability, asking for help when you need it, and demonstrating humility . Never be afraid to say, “I don’t know!” 

To quote Tim Reitsma, 

“ Managers set the tone. If the manager is the one who is acting in a way that isn’t professional, the team may follow along. As a manager, you need to level up your ability to communicate, know where to draw the line, hold people accountable , and remember to give feedback.” 

Encourage a sense of accountability and responsibility 

As a leader, you need to promote both accountability and responsibility in your team. You may be ultimately accountable for the success or failure of a particular project, but you should also make sure that every team member feels a clear sense of responsibility for their part in the task. To encourage employees to go above and beyond, you’ll have to start by giving them a sense of ownership over their tasks, and clearly communicating your expectations.  

Promote cultural alignment and culture add  

If you want to see more professionalism in your team, they need to have a clear grasp of the values and behaviors that you want to see. It’s a question of reinforcing the company's mission and culture . 

You can also make sure you recognize and acknowledge employees when they demonstrate those values, by making a direct link between the behavior and the value in question: ‘It’s great to see you taking initiative like that. At this company, we really look for employees who step up when it’s needed.’

How to develop employee professionalism

When it comes to improving your employees’ professionalism, it’s not only a question of modeling the behavior you want to see. You should also encourage your employees to develop the skills and behaviors most closely associated with professionalism: 

1. Hone your communication skills 

Great professionals excel at sharing their ideas and keeping everyone on the same page. To develop this skill in your team, consider directing them towards communication skills training. For instance, public speaking coaching can help employees build their ability to simplify their messages and become more confident in the spotlight. 

2. Invest in diversity and inclusion 

Professionalism in the workplace depends on every employee feel that they matter, that their perspectives are valuable, and that their performance will be recognized. However, unconscious bias and other pervasive challenges to diversity can be hard to tackle. Diversity and inclusivity training for both employees and managers can have a significant impact on the professionalism of your workplace. 

3. Build emotional regulation skills

Workplace professionalism depends on our ability to regulate and manage our emotions , rather than letting them dictate our behavior. For employees that struggle with self-control, coaching can be highly beneficial. A coach can provide external guidance to help employees identify and overcome the challenges that could otherwise hold them back from excelling as a professional. 

Being a true professional starts with self-knowledge 

For Lorie Corcuera, the secret to encouraging greater professionalism at work begins with understanding yourself, both as a professional and as a leader. To help your team become the professionals they have the potential to be, she advises managers to do this.

“S tart by leading yourself, which means learning more about yourself so you can grow and develop as a leader, and inspire your team to do the same.” Lorie Corcuera

BetterUp can help. Our coaches can provide objective guidance and help you develop the skills you need to develop greater professionalism in the workplace and within your team. At its heart, it’s about creating an environment where employees feel safe to show up as their whole selves.

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Madeline Miles

Madeline is a writer, communicator, and storyteller who is passionate about using words to help drive positive change. She holds a bachelor's in English Creative Writing and Communication Studies and lives in Denver, Colorado. In her spare time, she's usually somewhere outside (preferably in the mountains) — and enjoys poetry and fiction.

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Professionalism in the Workplace Expository Essay

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The evidence of professionalism at the place of work is through many aspects such as the manner in which employees treat each other and the way through which the management treats its employees and other stakeholders of the firm.

In a business entity, you will find professionals from different fields and they all work with one central goal being customer satisfaction, sustaining the business and ensuring profitability. For the business to thrive, it is important for the individuals working herein to understand the roles each other plays.

It is not a wonder for one to find people working in the same organization yet they do not realize how each of their roles contributes to the success of the business and their success as well. In a hospital setup for example, one cannot help but appreciate the roles each one plays in that organization. It is easy to disregard the security guard, the secretary the people doing the laundry or the ones who are behind the scenes.

“They hardly interact with the clients” one would think, so why are they so important to the business? In a business organisation, the success of one professional is built on the platform of the other professionals he or she works with. Teamwork is the foundation for success in any workplace (Schmidt 293). A professional is always keen to, share ideas and to help other team members as needed.

As team players, the leaders to various groups in the teams at the place of work should take the initiatives to recognize the efforts of other members of the team especially regarding the success of the firm in terms of its outputs. It is imperative to realize that one’s skills, expertise, long experience are not enough to sustain the organizations success. Every individual plays a key role towards the final success of the company.

Teamwork allows companies to blend the strengths and perspectives of all their employees so that they can achieve organizational goals, increase productivity and guarantee that their clients’ needs are met (West 188). Inevitably, you will always encounter friction, as individuals in the team are different in the way they think and behave. There are instances when you remain silent yet you could use your voice to move the work forward.

This is because one must appreciate the reality that you are dealing with adults. However, it is a key learning point that to be effective in a team one needs to be an assertive communicator. Each team-member needs to seek out, to listen to, and to learn from one another.

According to (Nielsen 63) assertiveness refers to each one’s willingness to offer information with confidence, yet valuing and supporting the views of his or her teammates. The cooperation and assertiveness of each member means that decisions are made based on consensus which is reached by the full participation of every team member (Beeghley 162).

As a result of relating to other professionals in a team, one grows interpersonally and fully appreciates that together, everyone achieves more. Employees are expected t portray a positive approach towards their work despite the daily challenges that they may encounter in the course of executing their duties.

The mistakes that are committed by other members of the group provide a good learning environment for the rest of the members (Nielsen 90).

Works Cited

Beeghley, Leonard. The Structure of Social Stratification in the United States . Boston: Allyn & Bacon. 2004. Print.

Nielsen, John. Effective Communication Skills: The Foundations for Change. Bloomington: Xlibris Corporation. 2008. Print.

Schmidt, Jeff. Disciplined Minds – A Critical Look at Salaried Professionals and the Soul-Battering System that Shapes their Lives. Rowman & Littlefield, 2000. Print.

West, Michael. Effective Teamwork: Practical Lessons from Organizational Research . Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons. 2012. Print.

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Why Is Professionalism Important? Expert Insight for Recent Graduates

By Ashley Brooks on 08/19/2019

Professionalism is a seemingly vague term that you’ve never given much thought to in the past. But now that you’re getting closer to launching a professional career, however, this word has taken on a lot more significance. You’re about to be on the hunt for a new job in your career field, and you’re aware that professionalism is a trait managers will be looking for in your interviews.

You know that professionalism matters, but you still have some questions about this characteristic. Why is professionalism important, and what can you do to be more professional?

We spoke with HR specialists and hiring managers to get the answers you’re looking for. These experts are sharing their experiences from the opposite side of the interview table, with insights on the importance of professionalism and how to act in a professional manner as you enter the workforce.

What is professionalism?

Simply put, professionalism is the way you conduct yourself at work to represent both yourself and your company in a positive way. It includes standards for behavior that might be mandated in an employee handbook, like adhering to a certain dress code, as well as traits that are harder to pin down but still valuable to being professional in the workplace.

Professionalism goes beyond a checklist of requirements. Instead, it includes “embodying the company’s values and serving as a stellar representative of the company,” according to Eric Mochnacz, HR consultant at Red Clover . “Professionalism is someone’s inherent ability to do what is expected of them and deliver quality work because they are driven to do so.”

Professionalism also encompasses the way an employee interacts with other people, including coworkers, customers and supervisors. “Professionalism includes speaking with your colleagues in a respectful manner, conducting yourself with integrity and being courteous,” says Sarah Walker, HR manager at Miracle Mile Law Group . “This is absolutely important in the workplace because it shows that you not only care about your career but also that you respect your peers—this can go a long way in the future.”

The importance of professionalism

The experts agree that professionalism is one of the biggest factors in your level of career success. It might sound dramatic, but it’s true! This trait affects every aspect of how you do your job. A lack of professionalism can cost you a job or promotion, and it can even put you first in line for a layoff.

“Your level of professionalism can make or break your career,” Walker says. “Without it, you will never be taken seriously and you may even be looked over when it comes time to be considered for a promotion.”

One reason professionalism is so important is because it’s an outward display of your attitude toward your job and your company. “It’s a sign of loyalty, dependability and responsibility,” says Nate Masterson, HR manager at Maple Holistics . “A lack of professionalism suggests a lack of respect towards an employer, which can impact your ability to land a job.”

Signs of professionalism

It’s clear that professionalism is important, but what are the real-life signs of professionalism employers are looking for? Our experts have shared the examples of professionalism that are sure to catch their eye.

Appropriate attire

Like it or not, appearance plays a part in how others view you, and that includes your level of professionalism. “The way that you speak and dress are both first-impression indicators of your professionalism,” Masterson says. “In an attempt to show potential employers that you have these characteristics, you need to act and look the part.”

Strong communication skills

Nearly every job requires employees to communicate with others through writing and face-to-face. You can show off your communication skills by preparing well for your interview so you appear calm rather than flustered. “I’m looking for someone who is able to articulate themselves well,” Mochnacz says.

Ethical actions

“Being honest and ethical suggests professionalism,” Masterson says. “Whether that’s clocking in honest hours of work or holding yourself accountable for your mistakes, part of being professional means that you abide by ethics both in and out of the office.” Sharing an example of a mistake you made and what you did to correct it can show interviewers that you operate within a strong code of ethics.

Calm under stress

Every job has its difficult moments. True professionals can handle issues that crop up without causing a scene or complaining to coworkers. “Professionalism is being able to handle yourself in a professional environment,” Mochnacz says. “You don’t lose your cool, you respond appropriately even when the pressure is on, you’re mindful of your thoughts and actions in front of the custodian and the CEO.”

How to improve your professionalism

Even if you don’t have much experience with professionalism yet, there are many steps you can take to improve as you prepare to enter the workforce. “Recent grads can brush up their professionalism by finding a mentor who will lead by example,” Walker says.

Events and conferences are another great place to practice professionalism. You can use networking events to gain valuable experience putting your best foot forward. They’re also an opportunity to observe how others behave in a professional setting.

Attend hiring events for practice displaying your professionalism one-on-one. If you’re feeling bold, you can even ask the connections you make whether they thought you acted in a professional manner or whether there’s something you could do to improve.

Show off your professional side

Now that you’ve got the full rundown of the importance of professionalism, you’re ready to put your best foot forward as you take your first interviews. Learn what other skills to highlight in your job interview with our article “ 7 Skills Employers Look For Regardless of the Job .”

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was originally published in 2012. It has since been updated to include information relevant to 2019.

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Professionalism Essay | Importance and Essay on Professionalism for Students and Children in English

Professionalism Essay: Professionalism is the behavior of someone in a work or business environment.  Professionalism is not just wearing a coat and tie or possessing a title. Professionalism is how you present yourself during your business affairs.

You can read more  Essay Writing  about articles, events, people, sports, technology many more.

True professionals possess a number of important characteristics some of them are:

Follow a Dress Code: Professionals need to be decent in appearance. Be sure to follow the requirements of your company’s dress code. Pay special attention to your appearance during meetings with prospects or clients. Personality is the main source of attracting the clients

Be Confident and Polite: You should handle your superiors with confidence but at the same time be polite and well-spoken with your customers or co-workers. You should handle any situation calmly. Your body language and facial expressions must convey the message you want others to hear successfully

Keep Your Word: Providing an instant response to people promptly and following through on promises is also important. Value time and be at work on time, start meetings on time and follow through on all your commitments

Keep Upgrading

Professionals need to keep on upgrading themselves to strive in the market. They need to get the expertise in their field, to attract customers. Continue to upgrade yourself by taking various courses, attending seminars and attaining any related professional workshops. Always be productive

Utilize your time productively at work. Focus on your job responsibilities.  Avoid using social media, web browsing and phone activity while at work

Be Organized

A professional should keep the work area neat and organized, so that they can quickly and easily find what is needed. Moreover, your briefcase should contain only what is needed for your meetings, appointment or presentation. Being organized reflects your dedication to your work

Accept your Mistakes

As a professional, if you make a mistake, accept it and try to fix it if possible. Don’t place the blame on your juniors or someone else. If your company made a mistake, take responsibility and try to resolve the issue

Have Good Conversation

Your phonic conversation is an important part of professional behavior. Be sure not to dominate the conversation and listen to the other party carefully. Call back and follow up on any actions you agree to during a conversation

During the written conversation, keep your letters brief and to the point. Your tone should be polite and formal This also applies to email correspondence

Keep a Positive Attitude

A professional must always carry a positive attitude. Never have senseless gossip among colleagues. Don’t complain publicly, talk badly about your customers or the company in any way. Leave personal issues at home and don’t waste your time with idle chit-chat. Communicate all business-related matters in a professional manner at all times

Professional behavior demands honesty and ethical behavior. This includes always representing yourself and your company accurately. Never lie or mislead customers

Always try to meet the customer requirements and complete the commitments as agreed upon and any promises that are delayed. Provide notices periodically if not fulfilled

Practicing proper professionalism in the workplace can get you success to a much greater extent. If you value your work. your commitments and remain dedicated, and productive, you would build up a respectable reputation within your organization

Short Essay on Professionalism

Rightly said, “Professionalism is not the job you do, it’s how you do the job.” Professionalism is defined as the way in which business people interact with colleagues, clients and customers. Professionalism is a powerful quality to impress and inspire others.

Here are some definite ways to develop and practice professionalism:

• Be productive: Always try to use your time productively at work.  Concentrate on your work responsibilities and avoid using social media, web browsing and phone activity while on work
• Carry a professional image: Appearance and personality are very important aspects of professionalism. Choose to dress appropriately for your industry and organization.  Always be decent at work
• Take the initiative: Always be ready to take on new projects and challenges that are helpful in the growth of your company. Think of new ideas that will meet your organization’s goals.
• Be sorted: Prioritize, plan and manage your work, assignments and projects.  Keep in touch with your head and team members. Always be organised at your work
• Manage your time efficiently: Set your goals and create plans to meet deadlines. Utilize your time for the betterment of the organisation
• Provide excellence: Produce best results that reflect a sense of pride. Excellence is always be rewarded
• Be a problem-solver: When you are facing any problems and obstacles, take the time to find solutions and alternatives before you contact your supervisor. This will keep your image at the highest.
• Communicate effectively: Be polite while communicating with your customers, colleagues and supervisors. Respond to the problems effectively. Instant service attracts customers
• Develop self-awareness: Accept and reflect on feedback to learn and grow
• Build relationships: Communicate with colleagues, customers and clients to build professional relationships. Work in teams and collaborate effectively

FAQ’s on Professionalism Essay

Question 1. What is the importance of Professionalism?

Answer: Your customers are not your mates or your siblings. These are the people that provide the income to your business, which pays your salary. So it is very important to respect professionalism no matter how small or large you are

Professionalism encompasses the way you present yourself, your attitude and the ways you communicate with others. Professionalism can create a positive impact on the consumer, successful interpersonal relationships and a lasting reputation within your organization and industry

Question 2. What is the role of punctuality in professionalism?

Answer: Punctuality plays a very important role in professionalism. Punctuality is more than just getting the work done on time. It includes being at your work on time, completing your deadlines, being on time for client and staff meetings. People who are punctual are respected by clients more than those who are always late

Question 3. Is dress code an important aspect of professionalism?

Answer: Yes, professionalism far more is defined by appearance and personality. Your dressing sense says a lot about your professionalism. While everyone has their own personal style, there are dress codes at most workplaces. If a uniform is required, it should be neat and clean. Grooming is another aspect of professionalism.

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Getting College Essay Help: Important Do's and Don’ts

College Essays

If you grow up to be a professional writer, everything you write will first go through an editor before being published. This is because the process of writing is really a process of re-writing —of rethinking and reexamining your work, usually with the help of someone else. So what does this mean for your student writing? And in particular, what does it mean for very important, but nonprofessional writing like your college essay? Should you ask your parents to look at your essay? Pay for an essay service?

If you are wondering what kind of help you can, and should, get with your personal statement, you've come to the right place! In this article, I'll talk about what kind of writing help is useful, ethical, and even expected for your college admission essay . I'll also point out who would make a good editor, what the differences between editing and proofreading are, what to expect from a good editor, and how to spot and stay away from a bad one.

Table of Contents

What Kind of Help for Your Essay Can You Get?

What's Good Editing?

What should an editor do for you, what kind of editing should you avoid, proofreading, what's good proofreading, what kind of proofreading should you avoid.

What Do Colleges Think Of You Getting Help With Your Essay?

Who Can/Should Help You?

Advice for editors.

Should You Pay Money For Essay Editing?

The Bottom Line

What's next, what kind of help with your essay can you get.

Rather than talking in general terms about "help," let's first clarify the two different ways that someone else can improve your writing . There is editing, which is the more intensive kind of assistance that you can use throughout the whole process. And then there's proofreading, which is the last step of really polishing your final product.

Let me go into some more detail about editing and proofreading, and then explain how good editors and proofreaders can help you."

Editing is helping the author (in this case, you) go from a rough draft to a finished work . Editing is the process of asking questions about what you're saying, how you're saying it, and how you're organizing your ideas. But not all editing is good editing . In fact, it's very easy for an editor to cross the line from supportive to overbearing and over-involved.

Ability to clarify assignments. A good editor is usually a good writer, and certainly has to be a good reader. For example, in this case, a good editor should make sure you understand the actual essay prompt you're supposed to be answering.

Open-endedness. Good editing is all about asking questions about your ideas and work, but without providing answers. It's about letting you stick to your story and message, and doesn't alter your point of view.

Think of an editor as a great travel guide. It can show you the many different places your trip could take you. It should explain any parts of the trip that could derail your trip or confuse the traveler. But it never dictates your path, never forces you to go somewhere you don't want to go, and never ignores your interests so that the trip no longer seems like it's your own. So what should good editors do?

Help Brainstorm Topics

Sometimes it's easier to bounce thoughts off of someone else. This doesn't mean that your editor gets to come up with ideas, but they can certainly respond to the various topic options you've come up with. This way, you're less likely to write about the most boring of your ideas, or to write about something that isn't actually important to you.

If you're wondering how to come up with options for your editor to consider, check out our guide to brainstorming topics for your college essay .

Help Revise Your Drafts

Here, your editor can't upset the delicate balance of not intervening too much or too little. It's tricky, but a great way to think about it is to remember: editing is about asking questions, not giving answers .

Revision questions should point out:

• Places where more detail or more description would help the reader connect with your essay
• Places where structure and logic don't flow, losing the reader's attention
• Places where there aren't transitions between paragraphs, confusing the reader
• Moments where your narrative or the arguments you're making are unclear

But pointing to potential problems is not the same as actually rewriting—editors let authors fix the problems themselves.

Bad editing is usually very heavy-handed editing. Instead of helping you find your best voice and ideas, a bad editor changes your writing into their own vision.

You may be dealing with a bad editor if they:

• Add material (examples, descriptions) that doesn't come from you
• Use a thesaurus to make your college essay sound "more mature"
• Add meaning or insight to the essay that doesn't come from you
• Tell you what to say and how to say it
• Write sentences, phrases, and paragraphs for you
• Change your voice in the essay so it no longer sounds like it was written by a teenager

Colleges can tell the difference between a 17-year-old's writing and a 50-year-old's writing. Not only that, they have access to your SAT or ACT Writing section, so they can compare your essay to something else you wrote. Writing that's a little more polished is great and expected. But a totally different voice and style will raise questions.

Where's the Line Between Helpful Editing and Unethical Over-Editing?

Sometimes it's hard to tell whether your college essay editor is doing the right thing. Here are some guidelines for staying on the ethical side of the line.

• An editor should say that the opening paragraph is kind of boring, and explain what exactly is making it drag. But it's overstepping for an editor to tell you exactly how to change it.
• An editor should point out where your prose is unclear or vague. But it's completely inappropriate for the editor to rewrite that section of your essay.
• An editor should let you know that a section is light on detail or description. But giving you similes and metaphors to beef up that description is a no-go.

Proofreading (also called copy-editing) is checking for errors in the last draft of a written work. It happens at the end of the process and is meant as the final polishing touch. Proofreading is meticulous and detail-oriented, focusing on small corrections. It sands off all the surface rough spots that could alienate the reader.

Because proofreading is usually concerned with making fixes on the word or sentence level, this is the only process where someone else can actually add to or take away things from your essay . This is because what they are adding or taking away tends to be one or two misplaced letters.

Laser focus. Proofreading is all about the tiny details, so the ability to really concentrate on finding small slip-ups is a must.

Excellent grammar and spelling skills. Proofreaders need to dot every "i" and cross every "t." Good proofreaders should correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar. They should put foreign words in italics and surround quotations with quotation marks. They should check that you used the correct college's name, and that you adhered to any formatting requirements (name and date at the top of the page, uniform font and size, uniform spacing).

Limited interference. A proofreader needs to make sure that you followed any word limits. But if cuts need to be made to shorten the essay, that's your job and not the proofreader's.

A bad proofreader either tries to turn into an editor, or just lacks the skills and knowledge necessary to do the job.

Some signs that you're working with a bad proofreader are:

• If they suggest making major changes to the final draft of your essay. Proofreading happens when editing is already finished.
• If they aren't particularly good at spelling, or don't know grammar, or aren't detail-oriented enough to find someone else's small mistakes.
• If they start swapping out your words for fancier-sounding synonyms, or changing the voice and sound of your essay in other ways. A proofreader is there to check for errors, not to take the 17-year-old out of your writing.

What Do Colleges Think of Your Getting Help With Your Essay?

Admissions officers agree: light editing and proofreading are good—even required ! But they also want to make sure you're the one doing the work on your essay. They want essays with stories, voice, and themes that come from you. They want to see work that reflects your actual writing ability, and that focuses on what you find important.

On the Importance of Editing

Get feedback. Have a fresh pair of eyes give you some feedback. Don't allow someone else to rewrite your essay, but do take advantage of others' edits and opinions when they seem helpful. ( Bates College )

Read your essay aloud to someone. Reading the essay out loud offers a chance to hear how your essay sounds outside your head. This exercise reveals flaws in the essay's flow, highlights grammatical errors and helps you ensure that you are communicating the exact message you intended. ( Dickinson College )

On the Value of Proofreading

Share your essays with at least one or two people who know you well—such as a parent, teacher, counselor, or friend—and ask for feedback. Remember that you ultimately have control over your essays, and your essays should retain your own voice, but others may be able to catch mistakes that you missed and help suggest areas to cut if you are over the word limit. ( Yale University )

Proofread and then ask someone else to proofread for you. Although we want substance, we also want to be able to see that you can write a paper for our professors and avoid careless mistakes that would drive them crazy. ( Oberlin College )

On Watching Out for Too Much Outside Influence

Limit the number of people who review your essay. Too much input usually means your voice is lost in the writing style. ( Carleton College )

Ask for input (but not too much). Your parents, friends, guidance counselors, coaches, and teachers are great people to bounce ideas off of for your essay. They know how unique and spectacular you are, and they can help you decide how to articulate it. Keep in mind, however, that a 45-year-old lawyer writes quite differently from an 18-year-old student, so if your dad ends up writing the bulk of your essay, we're probably going to notice. ( Vanderbilt University )

Now let's talk about some potential people to approach for your college essay editing and proofreading needs. It's best to start close to home and slowly expand outward. Not only are your family and friends more invested in your success than strangers, but they also have a better handle on your interests and personality. This knowledge is key for judging whether your essay is expressing your true self.

Parents or Close Relatives

Your family may be full of potentially excellent editors! Parents are deeply committed to your well-being, and family members know you and your life well enough to offer details or incidents that can be included in your essay. On the other hand, the rewriting process necessarily involves criticism, which is sometimes hard to hear from someone very close to you.

A parent or close family member is a great choice for an editor if you can answer "yes" to the following questions. Is your parent or close relative a good writer or reader? Do you have a relationship where editing your essay won't create conflict? Are you able to constructively listen to criticism and suggestion from the parent?

One suggestion for defusing face-to-face discussions is to try working on the essay over email. Send your parent a draft, have them write you back some comments, and then you can pick which of their suggestions you want to use and which to discard.

Teachers or Tutors

A humanities teacher that you have a good relationship with is a great choice. I am purposefully saying humanities, and not just English, because teachers of Philosophy, History, Anthropology, and any other classes where you do a lot of writing, are all used to reviewing student work.

Moreover, any teacher or tutor that has been working with you for some time, knows you very well and can vet the essay to make sure it "sounds like you."

If your teacher or tutor has some experience with what college essays are supposed to be like, ask them to be your editor. If not, then ask whether they have time to proofread your final draft.

Guidance or College Counselor at Your School

The best thing about asking your counselor to edit your work is that this is their job. This means that they have a very good sense of what colleges are looking for in an application essay.

At the same time, school counselors tend to have relationships with admissions officers in many colleges, which again gives them insight into what works and which college is focused on what aspect of the application.

Unfortunately, in many schools the guidance counselor tends to be way overextended. If your ratio is 300 students to 1 college counselor, you're unlikely to get that person's undivided attention and focus. It is still useful to ask them for general advice about your potential topics, but don't expect them to be able to stay with your essay from first draft to final version.

Friends, Siblings, or Classmates

Although they most likely don't have much experience with what colleges are hoping to see, your peers are excellent sources for checking that your essay is you .

Friends and siblings are perfect for the read-aloud edit. Read your essay to them so they can listen for words and phrases that are stilted, pompous, or phrases that just don't sound like you.

You can even trade essays and give helpful advice on each other's work.

If your editor hasn't worked with college admissions essays very much, no worries! Any astute and attentive reader can still greatly help with your process. But, as in all things, beginners do better with some preparation.

First, your editor should read our advice about how to write a college essay introduction , how to spot and fix a bad college essay , and get a sense of what other students have written by going through some admissions essays that worked .

Then, as they read your essay, they can work through the following series of questions that will help them to guide you.

Introduction Questions

• Is the first sentence a killer opening line? Why or why not?
• Does the introduction hook the reader? Does it have a colorful, detailed, and interesting narrative? Or does it propose a compelling or surprising idea?
• Can you feel the author's voice in the introduction, or is the tone dry, dull, or overly formal? Show the places where the voice comes through.

Essay Body Questions

• Does the essay have a through-line? Is it built around a central argument, thought, idea, or focus? Can you put this idea into your own words?
• How is the essay organized? By logical progression? Chronologically? Do you feel order when you read it, or are there moments where you are confused or lose the thread of the essay?
• Does the essay have both narratives about the author's life and explanations and insight into what these stories reveal about the author's character, personality, goals, or dreams? If not, which is missing?
• Does the essay flow? Are there smooth transitions/clever links between paragraphs? Between the narrative and moments of insight?

Reader Response Questions

• Does the writer's personality come through? Do we know what the speaker cares about? Do we get a sense of "who he or she is"?
• Where did you feel most connected to the essay? Which parts of the essay gave you a "you are there" sensation by invoking your senses? What moments could you picture in your head well?
• Where are the details and examples vague and not specific enough?
• Did you get an "a-ha!" feeling anywhere in the essay? Is there a moment of insight that connected all the dots for you? Is there a good reveal or "twist" anywhere in the essay?
• What are the strengths of this essay? What needs the most improvement?

Should You Pay Money for Essay Editing?

One alternative to asking someone you know to help you with your college essay is the paid editor route. There are two different ways to pay for essay help: a private essay coach or a less personal editing service , like the many proliferating on the internet.

My advice is to think of these options as a last resort rather than your go-to first choice. I'll first go through the reasons why. Then, if you do decide to go with a paid editor, I'll help you decide between a coach and a service.

When to Consider a Paid Editor

In general, I think hiring someone to work on your essay makes a lot of sense if none of the people I discussed above are a possibility for you.

If you can't ask your parents. For example, if your parents aren't good writers, or if English isn't their first language. Or if you think getting your parents to help is going create unnecessary extra conflict in your relationship with them (applying to college is stressful as it is!)

If you can't ask your teacher or tutor. Maybe you don't have a trusted teacher or tutor that has time to look over your essay with focus. Or, for instance, your favorite humanities teacher has very limited experience with college essays and so won't know what admissions officers want to see.

If you can't ask your guidance counselor. This could be because your guidance counselor is way overwhelmed with other students.

If you can't share your essay with those who know you. It might be that your essay is on a very personal topic that you're unwilling to share with parents, teachers, or peers. Just make sure it doesn't fall into one of the bad-idea topics in our article on bad college essays .

If the cost isn't a consideration. Many of these services are quite expensive, and private coaches even more so. If you have finite resources, I'd say that hiring an SAT or ACT tutor (whether it's PrepScholar or someone else) is better way to spend your money . This is because there's no guarantee that a slightly better essay will sufficiently elevate the rest of your application, but a significantly higher SAT score will definitely raise your applicant profile much more.

Should You Hire an Essay Coach?

On the plus side, essay coaches have read dozens or even hundreds of college essays, so they have experience with the format. Also, because you'll be working closely with a specific person, it's more personal than sending your essay to a service, which will know even less about you.

But, on the minus side, you'll still be bouncing ideas off of someone who doesn't know that much about you . In general, if you can adequately get the help from someone you know, there is no advantage to paying someone to help you.

If you do decide to hire a coach, ask your school counselor, or older students that have used the service for recommendations. If you can't afford the coach's fees, ask whether they can work on a sliding scale —many do. And finally, beware those who guarantee admission to your school of choice—essay coaches don't have any special magic that can back up those promises.

Should You Send Your Essay to a Service?

On the plus side, essay editing services provide a similar product to essay coaches, and they cost significantly less . If you have some assurance that you'll be working with a good editor, the lack of face-to-face interaction won't prevent great results.

On the minus side, however, it can be difficult to gauge the quality of the service before working with them . If they are churning through many application essays without getting to know the students they are helping, you could end up with an over-edited essay that sounds just like everyone else's. In the worst case scenario, an unscrupulous service could send you back a plagiarized essay.

Getting recommendations from friends or a school counselor for reputable services is key to avoiding heavy-handed editing that writes essays for you or does too much to change your essay. Including a badly-edited essay like this in your application could cause problems if there are inconsistencies. For example, in interviews it might be clear you didn't write the essay, or the skill of the essay might not be reflected in your schoolwork and test scores.

Should You Buy an Essay Written by Someone Else?

Let me elaborate. There are super sketchy places on the internet where you can simply buy a pre-written essay. Don't do this!

For one thing, you'll be lying on an official, signed document. All college applications make you sign a statement saying something like this:

I certify that all information submitted in the admission process—including the application, the personal essay, any supplements, and any other supporting materials—is my own work, factually true, and honestly presented... I understand that I may be subject to a range of possible disciplinary actions, including admission revocation, expulsion, or revocation of course credit, grades, and degree, should the information I have certified be false. (From the Common Application )

For another thing, if your academic record doesn't match the essay's quality, the admissions officer will start thinking your whole application is riddled with lies.

Admission officers have full access to your writing portion of the SAT or ACT so that they can compare work that was done in proctored conditions with that done at home. They can tell if these were written by different people. Not only that, but there are now a number of search engines that faculty and admission officers can use to see if an essay contains strings of words that have appeared in other essays—you have no guarantee that the essay you bought wasn't also bought by 50 other students.

• You should get college essay help with both editing and proofreading
• A good editor will ask questions about your idea, logic, and structure, and will point out places where clarity is needed
• A good editor will absolutely not answer these questions, give you their own ideas, or write the essay or parts of the essay for you
• A good proofreader will find typos and check your formatting
• All of them agree that getting light editing and proofreading is necessary
• Parents, teachers, guidance or college counselor, and peers or siblings
• If you can't ask any of those, you can pay for college essay help, but watch out for services or coaches who over-edit you work
• Don't buy a pre-written essay! Colleges can tell, and it'll make your whole application sound false.

Ready to start working on your essay? Check out our explanation of the point of the personal essay and the role it plays on your applications and then explore our step-by-step guide to writing a great college essay .

Using the Common Application for your college applications? We have an excellent guide to the Common App essay prompts and useful advice on how to pick the Common App prompt that's right for you . Wondering how other people tackled these prompts? Then work through our roundup of over 130 real college essay examples published by colleges .

Stressed about whether to take the SAT again before submitting your application? Let us help you decide how many times to take this test . If you choose to go for it, we have the ultimate guide to studying for the SAT to give you the ins and outs of the best ways to study.

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Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education.

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How to Start an Essay: 13 Engaging Strategies

ThoughtCo / Hugo Lin

• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

There are countless ways to start an essay effectively. A solid introductory paragraph both informs and motivates. It lets readers know what your piece is about and it encourages them to keep reading.

For folks new to learning how to start an essay, here are 13 introductory strategies accompanied by examples from a wide range of professional writers.

State Your Thesis Briefly and Directly

One straightforward way to begin is to get right to the point. But avoid making your thesis a bald announcement, such as "This essay is about...". 

"It is time, at last, to speak the truth about Thanksgiving, and the truth is this. Thanksgiving is really not such a terrific holiday...." (Michael J. Arlen, "Ode to Thanksgiving." The Camera Age: Essays on Television . Penguin, 1982)

Pose a Question Related to Your Subject

A thought-provoking way to start an essay is by asking a relevant question that needs to be unpacked. Follow up the question with an answer, or an invitation for your readers to answer the question.

"What is the charm of necklaces? Why would anyone put something extra around their neck and then invest it with special significance? A necklace doesn't afford warmth in cold weather, like a scarf, or protection in combat, like chain mail; it only decorates. We might say, it borrows meaning from what it surrounds and sets off, the head with its supremely important material contents, and the face, that register of the soul. When photographers discuss the way in which a photograph reduces the reality it represents, they mention not only the passage from three dimensions to two, but also the selection of a point de vue that favors the top of the body rather than the bottom, and the front rather than the back. The face is the jewel in the crown of the body, and so we give it a setting." (Emily R. Grosholz, "On Necklaces." Prairie Schooner , Summer 2007)

State an Interesting Fact About Your Subject

Leading with a fact that draws readers in immediately can grab their attention effectively.

" The peregrine falcon was brought back from the brink of extinction by a ban on DDT, but also by a peregrine falcon mating hat invented by an ornithologist at Cornell University. If you cannot buy this, Google it. Female falcons had grown dangerously scarce. A few wistful males nevertheless maintained a sort of sexual loitering ground. The hat was imagined, constructed, and then forthrightly worn by the ornithologist as he patrolled this loitering ground, singing, Chee-up! Chee-up! and bowing like an overpolite Japanese Buddhist trying to tell somebody goodbye...." (David James Duncan, "Cherish This Ecstasy." The Sun , July 2008)

Present Your Thesis as a Recent Discovery or Revelation

"I've finally figured out the difference between neat people and sloppy people. The distinction is, as always, moral. Neat people are lazier and meaner than sloppy people." (Suzanne Britt Jordan, "Neat People vs. Sloppy People." Show and Tell . Morning Owl Press, 1983)

Briefly Describe the Primary Setting of Your Essay

"It was in Burma, a sodden morning of the rains. A sickly light, like yellow tinfoil, was slanting over the high walls into the jail yard. We were waiting outside the condemned cells, a row of sheds fronted with double bars, like small animal cages. Each cell measured about ten feet by ten and was quite bare within except for a plank bed and a pot of drinking water. In some of them brown silent men were squatting at the inner bars, with their blankets draped round them. These were the condemned men, due to be hanged within the next week or two." (George Orwell, "A Hanging," 1931)

Recount an Incident That Dramatizes Your Subject

Sharing an incident from your life or history in general is an impactful way to start an essay.

"One October afternoon three years ago while I was visiting my parents, my mother made a request I dreaded and longed to fulfill. She had just poured me a cup of Earl Grey from her Japanese iron teapot, shaped like a little pumpkin; outside, two cardinals splashed in the birdbath in the weak Connecticut sunlight. Her white hair was gathered at the nape of her neck, and her voice was low. “Please help me get Jeff’s pacemaker turned off,” she said, using my father’s first name. I nodded, and my heart knocked." (Katy Butler, "What Broke My Father's Heart." The New York Times Magazine , June 18, 2010)

Use the Narrative Strategy of Delay

The narrative strategy of delay allows you to put off identifying your subject just long enough to pique your readers' interest without frustrating them. 

"They woof. Though I have photographed them before, I have never heard them speak, for they are mostly silent birds. Lacking a syrinx, the avian equivalent of the human larynx, they are incapable of song. According to field guides the only sounds they make are grunts and hisses, though the Hawk Conservancy in the United Kingdom reports that adults may utter a croaking coo and that young black vultures, when annoyed, emit a kind of immature snarl...." (Lee Zacharias, "Buzzards." Southern Humanities Review , 2007)

Use the Historical Present Tense

An effective way to start an essay is to use historical present tense to relate an incident from the past as if it were happening now. 

"Ben and I are sitting side by side in the very back of his mother’s station wagon. We face glowing white headlights of cars following us, our sneakers pressed against the back hatch door. This is our joy—his and mine—to sit turned away from our moms and dads in this place that feels like a secret, as though they are not even in the car with us. They have just taken us out to dinner, and now we are driving home. Years from this evening, I won’t actually be sure that this boy sitting beside me is named Ben. But that doesn’t matter tonight. What I know for certain right now is that I love him, and I need to tell him this fact before we return to our separate houses, next door to each other. We are both five." (Ryan Van Meter, "First." The Gettysburg Review , Winter 2008)

Briefly Describe a Process That Leads Into Your Subject

"I like to take my time when I pronounce someone dead. The bare-minimum requirement is one minute with a stethoscope pressed to someone’s chest, listening for a sound that is not there; with my fingers bearing down on the side of someone’s neck, feeling for an absent pulse; with a flashlight beamed into someone’s fixed and dilated pupils, waiting for the constriction that will not come. If I’m in a hurry, I can do all of these in sixty seconds, but when I have the time, I like to take a minute with each task." (Jane Churchon, "The Dead Book." The Sun , February 2009)

Reveal a Secret or Make a Candid Observation

"I spy on my patients. Ought not a doctor to observe his patients by any means and from any stance, that he might the more fully assemble evidence? So I stand in doorways of hospital rooms and gaze. Oh, it is not all that furtive an act. Those in bed need only look up to discover me. But they never do." ( Richard Selzer , "The Discus Thrower." Confessions of a Knife . Simon & Schuster, 1979)

Open with a Riddle, Joke, or Humorous Quotation

A fun way to start an essay is to use a riddle , joke, or humorous quotation that reveals something about your subject. 

" Q: What did Eve say to Adam on being expelled from the Garden of Eden? A: 'I think we're in a time of transition.' The irony of this joke is not lost as we begin a new century and anxieties about social change seem rife. The implication of this message, covering the first of many periods of transition, is that change is normal; there is, in fact, no era or society in which change is not a permanent feature of the social landscape...." (Betty G. Farrell, Family: The Making of an Idea, an Institution, and a Controversy in American Culture . Westview Press, 1999)

Offer a Contrast Between Past and Present

"As a child, I was made to look out the window of a moving car and appreciate the beautiful scenery, with the result that now I don't care much for nature. I prefer parks, ones with radios going chuckawaka chuckawaka and the delicious whiff of bratwurst and cigarette smoke." (Garrison Keillor, "Walking Down The Canyon." Time , July 31, 2000)

Offer a Contrast Between Image and Reality

A compelling way to start an essay is with a contrast between a common misconception and the opposing truth. 

"They aren’t what most people think they are. Human eyes, touted as ethereal objects by poets and novelists throughout history, are nothing more than white spheres, somewhat larger than your average marble, covered by a leather-like tissue known as sclera and filled with nature’s facsimile of Jell-O. Your beloved’s eyes may pierce your heart, but in all likelihood they closely resemble the eyes of every other person on the planet. At least I hope they do, for otherwise he or she suffers from severe myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (far-sightedness), or worse...." (John Gamel, "The Elegant Eye." Alaska Quarterly Review , 2009)

• Examples of Great Introductory Paragraphs
• Write an Attention-Grabbing Opening Sentence for an Essay
• 100 Persuasive Essay Topics
• How to Write a Good Thesis Statement
• 501 Topic Suggestions for Writing Essays and Speeches
• The Ultimate Guide to the 5-Paragraph Essay
• Essay Assignment: Descriptive and Informative Profile
• Practice in Supporting a Topic Sentence with Specific Details
• How to Start a Book Report
• What Is Expository Writing?
• An Essay Revision Checklist
• Make Your Paragraphs Flow to Improve Writing
• 50 Argumentative Essay Topics
• How to Outline and Organize an Essay
• How to Write a Narrative Essay or Speech (With Topic Ideas)
• Writing an Opinion Essay

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• Knowledge Base
• How to structure an essay: Templates and tips

How to Structure an Essay | Tips & Templates

Published on September 18, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

The basic structure of an essay always consists of an introduction , a body , and a conclusion . But for many students, the most difficult part of structuring an essay is deciding how to organize information within the body.

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Table of contents

The basics of essay structure, chronological structure, compare-and-contrast structure, problems-methods-solutions structure, signposting to clarify your structure, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about essay structure.

There are two main things to keep in mind when working on your essay structure: making sure to include the right information in each part, and deciding how you’ll organize the information within the body.

Parts of an essay

The three parts that make up all essays are described in the table below.

Order of information

You’ll also have to consider how to present information within the body. There are a few general principles that can guide you here.

The first is that your argument should move from the simplest claim to the most complex . The body of a good argumentative essay often begins with simple and widely accepted claims, and then moves towards more complex and contentious ones.

For example, you might begin by describing a generally accepted philosophical concept, and then apply it to a new topic. The grounding in the general concept will allow the reader to understand your unique application of it.

The second principle is that background information should appear towards the beginning of your essay . General background is presented in the introduction. If you have additional background to present, this information will usually come at the start of the body.

The third principle is that everything in your essay should be relevant to the thesis . Ask yourself whether each piece of information advances your argument or provides necessary background. And make sure that the text clearly expresses each piece of information’s relevance.

The sections below present several organizational templates for essays: the chronological approach, the compare-and-contrast approach, and the problems-methods-solutions approach.

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The chronological approach (sometimes called the cause-and-effect approach) is probably the simplest way to structure an essay. It just means discussing events in the order in which they occurred, discussing how they are related (i.e. the cause and effect involved) as you go.

A chronological approach can be useful when your essay is about a series of events. Don’t rule out other approaches, though—even when the chronological approach is the obvious one, you might be able to bring out more with a different structure.

Explore the tabs below to see a general template and a specific example outline from an essay on the invention of the printing press.

• Thesis statement
• Discussion of event/period
• Consequences
• Importance of topic
• Strong closing statement
• Claim that the printing press marks the end of the Middle Ages
• Background on the low levels of literacy before the printing press
• Thesis statement: The invention of the printing press increased circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation
• High levels of illiteracy in medieval Europe
• Literacy and thus knowledge and education were mainly the domain of religious and political elites
• Consequence: this discouraged political and religious change
• Invention of the printing press in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg
• Implications of the new technology for book production
• Consequence: Rapid spread of the technology and the printing of the Gutenberg Bible
• Trend for translating the Bible into vernacular languages during the years following the printing press’s invention
• Luther’s own translation of the Bible during the Reformation
• Consequence: The large-scale effects the Reformation would have on religion and politics
• Summarize the history described
• Stress the significance of the printing press to the events of this period

Essays with two or more main subjects are often structured around comparing and contrasting . For example, a literary analysis essay might compare two different texts, and an argumentative essay might compare the strengths of different arguments.

There are two main ways of structuring a compare-and-contrast essay: the alternating method, and the block method.

Alternating

In the alternating method, each paragraph compares your subjects in terms of a specific point of comparison. These points of comparison are therefore what defines each paragraph.

The tabs below show a general template for this structure, and a specific example for an essay comparing and contrasting distance learning with traditional classroom learning.

• Synthesis of arguments
• Topical relevance of distance learning in lockdown
• Increasing prevalence of distance learning over the last decade
• Thesis statement: While distance learning has certain advantages, it introduces multiple new accessibility issues that must be addressed for it to be as effective as classroom learning
• Classroom learning: Ease of identifying difficulties and privately discussing them
• Distance learning: Difficulty of noticing and unobtrusively helping
• Classroom learning: Difficulties accessing the classroom (disability, distance travelled from home)
• Distance learning: Difficulties with online work (lack of tech literacy, unreliable connection, distractions)
• Classroom learning: Tends to encourage personal engagement among students and with teacher, more relaxed social environment
• Distance learning: Greater ability to reach out to teacher privately
• Sum up, emphasize that distance learning introduces more difficulties than it solves
• Stress the importance of addressing issues with distance learning as it becomes increasingly common
• Distance learning may prove to be the future, but it still has a long way to go

In the block method, each subject is covered all in one go, potentially across multiple paragraphs. For example, you might write two paragraphs about your first subject and then two about your second subject, making comparisons back to the first.

The tabs again show a general template, followed by another essay on distance learning, this time with the body structured in blocks.

• Point 1 (compare)
• Point 2 (compare)
• Point 3 (compare)
• Point 4 (compare)
• Advantages: Flexibility, accessibility
• Disadvantages: Discomfort, challenges for those with poor internet or tech literacy
• Advantages: Potential for teacher to discuss issues with a student in a separate private call
• Disadvantages: Difficulty of identifying struggling students and aiding them unobtrusively, lack of personal interaction among students
• Advantages: More accessible to those with low tech literacy, equality of all sharing one learning environment
• Disadvantages: Students must live close enough to attend, commutes may vary, classrooms not always accessible for disabled students
• Advantages: Ease of picking up on signs a student is struggling, more personal interaction among students
• Disadvantages: May be harder for students to approach teacher privately in person to raise issues

An essay that concerns a specific problem (practical or theoretical) may be structured according to the problems-methods-solutions approach.

This is just what it sounds like: You define the problem, characterize a method or theory that may solve it, and finally analyze the problem, using this method or theory to arrive at a solution. If the problem is theoretical, the solution might be the analysis you present in the essay itself; otherwise, you might just present a proposed solution.

The tabs below show a template for this structure and an example outline for an essay about the problem of fake news.

• Introduce the problem
• Provide background
• Describe your approach to solving it
• Define the problem precisely
• Describe why it’s important
• Indicate previous approaches to the problem
• Present your new approach, and why it’s better
• Apply the new method or theory to the problem
• Indicate the solution you arrive at by doing so
• Assess (potential or actual) effectiveness of solution
• Describe the implications
• Problem: The growth of “fake news” online
• Prevalence of polarized/conspiracy-focused news sources online
• Thesis statement: Rather than attempting to stamp out online fake news through social media moderation, an effective approach to combating it must work with educational institutions to improve media literacy
• Definition: Deliberate disinformation designed to spread virally online
• Popularization of the term, growth of the phenomenon
• Previous approaches: Labeling and moderation on social media platforms
• Critique: This approach feeds conspiracies; the real solution is to improve media literacy so users can better identify fake news
• Greater emphasis should be placed on media literacy education in schools
• This allows people to assess news sources independently, rather than just being told which ones to trust
• This is a long-term solution but could be highly effective
• It would require significant organization and investment, but would equip people to judge news sources more effectively
• Rather than trying to contain the spread of fake news, we must teach the next generation not to fall for it

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Signposting means guiding the reader through your essay with language that describes or hints at the structure of what follows.  It can help you clarify your structure for yourself as well as helping your reader follow your ideas.

The essay overview

In longer essays whose body is split into multiple named sections, the introduction often ends with an overview of the rest of the essay. This gives a brief description of the main idea or argument of each section.

The overview allows the reader to immediately understand what will be covered in the essay and in what order. Though it describes what  comes later in the text, it is generally written in the present tense . The following example is from a literary analysis essay on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein .

Transitions

Transition words and phrases are used throughout all good essays to link together different ideas. They help guide the reader through your text, and an essay that uses them effectively will be much easier to follow.

Various different relationships can be expressed by transition words, as shown in this example.

Because Hitler failed to respond to the British ultimatum, France and the UK declared war on Germany. Although it was an outcome the Allies had hoped to avoid, they were prepared to back up their ultimatum in order to combat the existential threat posed by the Third Reich.

Transition sentences may be included to transition between different paragraphs or sections of an essay. A good transition sentence moves the reader on to the next topic while indicating how it relates to the previous one.

… Distance learning, then, seems to improve accessibility in some ways while representing a step backwards in others.

However , considering the issue of personal interaction among students presents a different picture.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
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The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

An essay isn’t just a loose collection of facts and ideas. Instead, it should be centered on an overarching argument (summarized in your thesis statement ) that every part of the essay relates to.

The way you structure your essay is crucial to presenting your argument coherently. A well-structured essay helps your reader follow the logic of your ideas and understand your overall point.

Comparisons in essays are generally structured in one of two ways:

• The alternating method, where you compare your subjects side by side according to one specific aspect at a time.
• The block method, where you cover each subject separately in its entirety.

It’s also possible to combine both methods, for example by writing a full paragraph on each of your topics and then a final paragraph contrasting the two according to a specific metric.

You should try to follow your outline as you write your essay . However, if your ideas change or it becomes clear that your structure could be better, it’s okay to depart from your essay outline . Just make sure you know why you’re doing so.

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The 4 best strategies Kamala Harris uses to handle being interrupted, according to a professional speaker

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Selena Rezvani , a 46-year-old confidence expert and speaker based in Philadelphia. It's been edited for length and clarity.

• Selena Rezvani says VP Kamala Harris uses 4 strategies to handle interruptions and regain authority.
• Her techniques include pointed eye contact, body language signals, and firm verbal responses.
• These methods can help anyone maintain their presence and control in disruptive situations.

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Whether at a high-stakes boardroom meeting or bustling networking event , it can be tricky to reclaim attention after being spoken over or interrupted. Your inclination may be to shy away from confrontation and internalize the message that your thought was unimportant.

As a leadership speaker and expert on workplace confidence, I've spent decades analyzing the best techniques for garnering attention and communicating effectively. Vice President Kamala Harris is one of my strongest examples of someone who commands a room with equal parts power and composure.

Harris first grabbed my attention with her masterful handling of interruptions from Mike Pence during the 2020 Vice Presidential debate. Since then, she's continued to be a powerful force on the campaign trail, using her skills to mitigate disruptions and maintain authority.

These are four lessons for how to manage being talked over that we can learn from Harris.

Pointed eye contact can force the interrupter to acknowledge you

When interrupted by Mike Pence during the 2020 Vice Presidential debate , Harris turned her attention to Pence and made pointed eye contact with him. She didn't shrink away from the interaction or internalize his disruption; rather her eye contact demonstrated authority, confidence, and control over the situation.

Making eye contact with someone who's been dismissive of you demands their attention and forces them to acknowledge you. Eye contact can also create a moment of discomfort for the other person, which may incentivize them to stop talking or at least reconsider their behavior.

A body language warning can stop someone from continuing to talk over you

Many people respond to interruption by physically shrinking or questioning themselves. However, Harris stands strong when she's disrupted by using a clear, non-verbal signal that shows she's not done talking. Her go-to, a stop sign hand signal, is an expansive gesture that proves she will continue to claim her full bubble of space in terms of her body language and verbal communication.

I often advise people to continue talking when they're being interrupted, but sometimes a calm, yet assertive gesture like a stop sign or index finger can deescalate an emotional situation and recenter the conversation.

You don't need permission to continue speaking

Harris often responds to disruption by cooly, yet firmly stating "I'm speaking." This short statement conveys that she intends to finish her thought before allowing someone else to take over.

Rather than yielding to the other person by asking "Can I please finish," she stays calm and maintains the focus of her message. It's important to remember that you don't need to ask for permission to continue speaking when someone interrupts you.

The broken record technique is great for reasserting boundaries

A technique that works particularly well with pushy communicators and domineering types is the "broken record technique" which means repeating your phrase, like Harris' "I'm speaking," until you regain control. Harris uses this strategic repetition to highlight just how many times she's been interrupted or disrespected. This technique also reasserts her boundaries and shows she will not back down. Try using this technique with a pushy coworker who isn't hearing or respecting your boundaries the first time around.

The bottom line

No matter who you are, you're sure to come in contact with people who think they're entitled to more space, attention, words, or time than you. The key we can learn from Harris is to not internalize that message and let it diminish your presence.

Stay grounded in the core message you intend to share and don't be afraid to reclaim space. And remember: these tips don't need to be tested out in some high-stakes boardroom meeting. Try testing the waters in low-stakes work or social environments and build your confidence.

If you're an expert with helpful tips that can be used in the workplace and want to share your advice, email Tess Martinelli at [email protected] .

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