Starting a new job can be a daunting experience, but the first day of my new sales job was a complete nightmare. One of my colleagues had a drug problem, my computer didn’t have a hard drive, no one knew how to operate the electronic database and the hard copy records of existing clients was highly disorganized —all of this came to light prior to noon. Worse yet, getting help and finding answers was like scaling Mt. Everest. By 5:00 I was ready walk out the door and never return.

Other than feeling like I managed to choose the worst job in America —despite my best efforts to do otherwise– I was shocked at the lack of professionalism I had experienced. It’s been seven years since I graduated from college and I’ve had four full time jobs and worked on numerous freelance projects. Working with both professional and unprofessional people, I’ve pondered what it means to be professional. In doing so, I’ve discovered three key attributes to building a tip-top, no-questions-asked professional personality.

Don’t take it personally
At one point or another it’s inevitable that you have to deal with a difficult co-worker, whether a colleague or supervisor. This can be one of the most challenging professional dilemmas. No matter how stimulating or rewarding your work might be, dealing with difficult people can be both psychologically and emotionally taxing. However, it doesn’t have to be.

I once had a boss that was especially critical of me. Communicating with him was difficult and he often changed his mind with little warning. Worse over, fulfilling his demands was extremely challenging and his words were harsh —to say the very least. On one specific occasion I didn’t complete an assignment to his satisfaction. When I asked questions to try and come to a better understanding of what he wanted, I was interrupted and scolded for "talking like a baby."

After several months I finally confronted him about his use of harsh words. He told me, "I’m simply trying to teach you how to be a professional." At the time I wasn’t sure how the act of belittling someone could have anything to do with professionalism, but I soon learned he was right. He taught me that in order to survive, you can’t take things personally. He wasn’t the last difficult person I would encounter in the working world. While it seemed horrible at the time, working with him was a great lesson on how to remain calm, cool and collected when dealing with a distressing situation. Despite the fact I never really agreed with his line of reasoning on a number of different issues, I decided there was a greater goal to be achieved: getting the job done. Eventually I was able to let his comments roll off of me like water off a duck’s back, and by the time I left the job, we were working in tandem successfully.

Be a Resourceful Problem Solver
While working in my new sales job, I also recall one particular occasion where I asked our maintenance coordinator where I could find staples and pens. She responded saying, "I don’t know. I’m not in sales." Obviously this wasn’t the answer I wanted to hear. For the most part she was unwilling to do anything that might step beyond the secure boundaries of her job description. It was like she was wearing blinders and anything within her peripheral view was obstructed.

Work often requires performing tasks outside of our comfort zones. I’ve learned that the people willing to solve problems and act as a resource not only appear more professional, they’re more pleasant to work with. People who can solve problems create a more harmonious work environment because they’re willing to go beyond the boundaries of their job description. In other words, they’re willing to do what it takes to get the job done. And as many of us can testify, people who resist when problems pop up are usually the first to see a pink slip in their inbox when times are tight.

Keep It to Yourself
While waiting in a conference room for the mandatory "new hire conference call" that never came, one of my new colleagues suggested I go on a sales call with her. On the way to her sales appointment she revealed to me that her boyfriend was in jail, she was fired from her previous job for misconduct (which of course wasn’t her fault), was about to get evicted from her apartment, and she was taking Zoloft for depression. After the sales call —which was more like a social visit at her friend’s office— she stopped off at her house. By the time we reached her front door she had popped a Valium and bought a sack of weed over the company’s cell phone.

Some things are just better left unsaid and I couldn’t help but recall that snide old college phrase, "too much information." I didn’t need to know the personal drama that ruled her life. Not only did it make me question her work abilities, it put me in an awkward and uncomfortable position. Keeping your personal life private helps maintain a certain level of respect. I got the impression she wanted me to become a close friend right away, something I wasn’t quite willing to do. Considering her actions I wasn’t sure how her behavior might reflect on me so I made a point to keep a comfortable distance from her. Unfortunately, this hindered our ability to work as a team.

More often than not, work seems to be little more than a series of problems and frustrating events, but I’ve discovered that in order to remain professional it’s best to have a Zen-like attitude. The world is an imperfect place. Nothing runs smoothly despite our best efforts. Look at technology; for every ounce of efficiency that technology creates, a new deficiency is created. There will always be problems to solve. On those days that I come home from work and rant about the day’s frustrating events and contemplate finding new employment, I have to ask myself, "Would it be any different elsewhere?"

Generally speaking, I’ve determined that professionalism isn’t just what you learn from each experience, but also how you apply those lessons to the next situation. It’s not about loving or hating your job or whether you succeed or fail. It’s about maintaining a positive attitude of excellence and reflecting it in your mannerisms, conduct, communications and business relationships.