How to be a professional without having any profession? For beginners

In today’s world the role of the accountant has evolved into a more visible position within the company. Gone are the days of the stereotypical “bean counter” who sat in a bank room compiling financial reports. Today’s accountants are front and centre, providing information to many different individuals and groups; often to people outside of their company or field.

Because of their new emerging role in the corporate world, companies need accounting professionals who can effectively deliver financial information to a number of diverse groups. But is it only the financial information that needs to be communicated?

Possessing a pleasing personality and having strong presentation skills will not only make you more marketable to potential employers but will also enhance your growth prospects with your current employer. To distinguish yourself and expand your career opportunities, you will need to continuously sharpen these skills.

There is lots of point to ponder, but here’s a crash course on some of major issues that need attention:

Dressing for success:

If you have just joined a company or are visiting a new client it is better to overdress initially – you can always go casual later. Look around and note the dress code prevalent in the company, then follow the lead. Whether you are an employee or an outsider you are probably still being evaluated for the first six months, and your clothes say a lot about you. Dressing for success in usually misunderstood with dressing expensively. Dressing for success does not mean wearing Gucci ties and Armani suits, it simply means clean, decent and appropriate dressing according to the environment.

Communicating clearly:

Let us come to terms with the fact that English in not our mother tongue. If you are comfortable speaking English, do so, otherwise stick to Urdu rather than speaking bad English that will leave a bad impression on everyone who listens to it. If English is the language in environment where you work or interact professionally, try to improve this by attending courses offered by various trainers such as PIMS, IBA or in-house courses arranged by your employer. When writing letters, proof read again and again for spelling mistakes. Learn to use the spell check feature available in most word processors. Spelling mistakes are the first things that get noticed in a letter and leave a negative impression on the reader.

Making presentation:

Your presentation and spoken skills positively relate to how people see you at work and making more presentation with memorable impact directly demonstrate to your audience your leadership skills. It is therefore important that the presentations you make not only communicate your ideas very clearly but also indicate to the audience that you are prepared and knowledge about the subject matter.

Social etiquette:

The way you interact with people says a lot about you, your family and the organization that you represent. And etiquette extends both up and down the corporate ladder and it does not exclude receptionists and support staff. It is important to know your organization’s work environment and the written and unwritten rules. Is yours a traditional company with closed doors, neckties and formal memos? Or does it have an “open door” policy where anyone can talk to anyone at anytime? Understanding these things and realizing the importance of the social etiquette will help you create a good image of yourself in the company.

For auditors and consultants it is important to understand the culture of their clients and adapt accordingly. Learning to work well with many different individuals is always a challenge. Even if you do not like some people, you will have to work with them. Try to be friendly to everyone and not make any personal judgments, at least initially. Remember that a little friendly attitude and honour can go a long way toward easing friction and resolving the problems. However, no matter how well you think you might know someone; it is advisable not to discuss subjects considered inappropriate for the office environment such as religion or politics. You could offend someone without intending to do so.

With the modern technology penetrating our everyday lives, very touched almost every person in the office environment. What needs to be realized is that mobile phones should either be switched off or put on silent mode when you are in a meeting, seminar or a conference. If you are expecting an important call during a meeting or a conference, it is advisable to use vibration alert option available in most phones so that others are not disturbed when you receive a call. It should be remembered that answering a call during a meeting is unprofessional and amounts to insulting others unless it is a casual meeting and the use of mobile phones has been expressly allowed.

Finally, the issue most commonly faced by companies, audit firms and consultancy firms, punctuality. Being punctual indicates that you are dependable. A late comer is always considered an irresponsible person. It has to be appreciated that professional work environment is not an evening party where arriving late could be termed as fashionable or excusable. An efficient worker is one who comes in on time. In no way can late arrivals in the office be justified by late sittings in the office.

Dining etiquette:

During an average working life of about 35 years an accountant will have approximately 6,000 lunches in office. For most auditors these will probably be at client. Even if you work in an office where you interact very little with people over lunch or dinner, there is a chance that you will have at least 100 ‘official lunches and dinners over those ‘35’ years.

People do notice how you eat your food and how you pay for it. Therefore it is important that civilized behaviour is displayed whenever you are dining out. It is not the intent of this article to promote the use of a knife and fork whenever dining out but to behave as a civilized person who knows how to conduct himself like a true professional and a gentleman.

In the end, it is important to note that although these little things bear no reflection on one’s financial acumen and technical skills but do give us the competitive advantage besides making us confident of ourselves.