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Your reputation in business is very important for your career. In this article we are going to talk about how to create and maintain an impressive reputation. If you think that your reputation will remain at the company you just left, you are very wrong! In this day and age between social media and improved communications, your reputation will follow you throughout your career, so it is important to ensure that it is spotless. When corporate recruiters do a reference check on you, in addition to calling your references, they will contact their network who knows someone who is working at the company you just left or are about to leave. They will then find out what the “word” on the street is on your reputation. You may never know that the reason you never got that “great” job was because you lost your temper and yelled at an administrative assistant two years ago. So let’s look at six rules to make certain you develop and maintain a good reputation. Rule #1- Make sure you are credible It is important to never lie or stretch the truth. You must keep your word at all costs! Always maintain unquestionable ethics and keep your principles strong and above reproach. Never make promises that you cannot keep to management, peers or customers. Once you lie or break promises people will never trust you again. Never guess. If you do not know the answer to a question, say so. Never guess, because if you do and are wrong, people will remember. Rule #2 – Maintain clear and concise communications Make sure that all forms of communications are clear, concise and accurate. This includes verbal communications and written communications. Keep all communications short and to the point. Rule #3 – Do a great job Although this should be obvious, some people get so caught up in corporate politics they forget to do their job! You will be remembered by the problems you solved and the successful projects you completed. Rule #4- Admit your mistakes When you make a mistake, and you will, never try to place the blame others or make excuses. Admit to your mistakes and do whatever it takes to solve the problem. People who do this earn a positive reputation Rule #5 – Be sensitive to private conversations Never be a gossip. People will trust you with private information about themselves and other companies. If you are asked to keep it private, do so! You do not want to have a reputation as a gossip or spreading bad information. And finally… Rule #6 – Be professional In addition to the previous 5 rules, it is important to put them all together and add being a professional. This includes dressing for success, always speaking in a positive way, acting the part, having good positive body language, and good manners. Never lose your temper and never yell at anyone. Professionals will never do this, they are always calm, cool and collected. It is important to continually use these rules until they become a habit and you do not even have to think about them. Once you have created a positive reputation it is important to maintain it. A positive reputation will always precede you and never impede you! Jim Stedt is a partner at The Business SoftSkills Company (BusinessSoftSkills.Com) located in Santa Ana, California. They provide job readiness and workforce success videos for education, business, prisons and individual use. Training is available online, on DVD, or through an affiliate program. These products are the most complete and concise soft skills training packages now available for the price of an average college textbook. jstedt@businesssoftskills.com
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