5 Mistakes That Scream “Unprofessional”

Some people just don't seem like they belong in a business environment. I'm not talking appearances here; I'm talking behavior. They lack basic business etiquette. There are a lot of little things that can make anyone appear to be an experienced, highly qualified professional. Likewise, there are many things that can be done that simply scream, "I have no idea what I'm doing!!"

Take a look at these 5 items and see if you're unintentionally doing something that exudes an unprofessional image. If you are, don't worry! These are all pretty easy to fix with a little effort. The key is awareness!

1. Taking an Overly Familiar Tone

Be careful of how you address clients and business associates (existing or potential). Calling people by their first names when you don't really know them can be offensive, especially if you are younger than they are. It's always better to be err on the side of caution and be overly formal (addressing them as Mr. or Ms.) thus allowing them to give you permission to be more familiar.

It should also go without saying that you should never use terms of "endearment" such as honey, dude, or any other slang term no matter how familiar you are or how long you've been working together. No one appreciates this in a professional environment.

2. An Interrupting Cell Phone or Blackberry

Interrupting a business meeting to take a call on your cell phone or check email on your blackberry is not only unprofessional, it's just plain rude. It's like hanging a big sign that says, "You're not as important as whoever is on the other end of this" or "I don't know how to properly manage my time so I have to interrupt our time together for this task". Don't do it. Put the cell phone on silent. Don't bother with vibrate - that still makes noise and it can be distracting if you hear it.

3. Showing Up Late

When you don't have the courtesy to arrive on time to a meeting, you're really offering a horrible impression of who you are as a professional. It's not only rude but it's also a sign that you're disorganized, overbooked, or just unable to properly manage your time. Be sure to schedule enough time to travel to and from meetings and always allow for a little "wiggle room" in case things run long. If you're going to be late, always call and explain as soon as possible. Offer to reschedule if it is more convenient for the other person.

4. A Messy Office or Desk

Personally, there's nothing that I find more distracting during a meeting than a messy office or desk. For one thing, I find myself looking around to see what's more interesting than the conversation I'm having. That can be a real problem in, for example, an attorney's office where information should be kept strictly confidential. In these crazy times of identity crisis, every office should be concerned with keeping information confidential. It seems like nothing is sacred. I don't even want my hairstylist sharing the special number that identifies the hair dye I use. For another discussion on office appearance, check out this post entitled, "Office Appearance: From a Client's Perspective."

5. Basic Spelling or Grammatical Errors

Everyone should take their professional correspondence seriously. And that means double check your work. If you know you're not a strong speller, have someone else look at it too. Don't rely on the computer to fix your mistakes - even spell check gets it wrong (more often than you'd think). For a few more tips on professional writing, check out "5 Steps for More Professional Writing".