868 Computer Service and Repair
Professionalism
Professionalism is a businesslike characteristic reflected in a person and
work environment. In relation to a person, it is identified in a person’s attitude
and dress. In the work environment, it is identified in its décor and general
atmosphere. This section explores various aspects of professionalism in an
employee and work environment.
Professional Image
Businesses and their employees are often judged by a customer’s or client’s
first impression of them. For example, if a technician looks professional, the
customer feels confident in them. If the technician looks sloppy, dirty, unkempt,
or bizarre, the customer or client might have a less than confident feeling about
the technician.
Dressing appropriately means dressing professionally. In the work environment,
there are two distinct types of acceptable dress: formal business and business
casual. Formal business typically means a suit coat or sport coat with a collared
shirt and tie (or just a collared shirt and tie) and a pair of dress slacks and leather
shoes, Figure 20-11. Business casual generally means a polo shirt (often with
a company logo) or collared shirt with no tie, dress or casual slacks, leather
shoes, and in rare cases, tennis shoes, Figure 20-12. Some computer technicians
believe that they are entitled to wear torn or tattered blue jeans, T-shirts, tennis
shoes, flip-flops, or sandals. These are never acceptable forms of business attire.
Remember that your casual attire may reflect a casual attitude and not one that is
serious about getting the job done. You are a trained professional; dress like one.
professionalism
a businesslike
characteristic
reflected in a
person and work
environment.
Figure 20-11.
This IT person is
wearing formal
attire.