While you might think your skills speak for themselves, you could be sending other – less positive – signals without knowing it. What are some factors that impact how people perceive you at work? Here’s a look at 4:

Your Behavior During Meetings

Do you arrive late and spend meetings looking at your laptop or cell phone? Are you quiet and disengaged, even when you’re one of the key project stakeholders? Do you roll your eyes and sigh loudly when meetings run too long?

As one of the leading recruiting agencies in Houston, Murray Resources can tell you if this sounds familiar, then you’re sending the signal that you don’t care. Nobody likes meetings. But if you want to be perceived as professional, you need to show up on time, prepared and ready to offer your opinion or assessment when necessary. If a meeting is running long and you really do need to leave, then apologize and excuse yourself.

The Way You Treat Others

Do you say “good morning”each day to the receptionist and admin staff, or barely acknowledge them? Do you kiss up to your boss, or act out in a hostile way toward him or her? How you treat others makes a difference at work. If you come across as intimidated by authority, or as rude to subordinates, you’ll send the wrong message. Always treat people with respect – and that means everyone, whether it’s your boss or the mailroom clerk.

The Work Hours You Keep

Fair or not, your arrival and departure time at work still matters. If you arrive at 9 and leave at 5 on the dot, while everyone else slugs it out until 5:30, you may be perceived as a slacker – even if you’ve gotten all your work done for the day. On the flip side, if you’re the first one at the office and last to leave, you’re probably viewed as more effective and harder working.

Who Your Work Friends Are

Do you hang around with those who are constantly complaining, gossiping or acting like divas? Even if you don’t emulate their behavior, by spending time with those who are toxic to the workplace, you can risk being seen the same way. People will assume if your best workplace buddy is a gossip, then you are too, even if that’s not really the case. Likewise, if you are friends with those who are known to work hard and produce great results, then you’re going to be perceived in a similar light.

Are you ready to send great signals in a new job – with a new company? Call Murray Resources. As one of the leading recruiting agencies in Houston, we can assist you with the entire job search process – from crafting a strong resume to preparing for interviews – all so you can find opportunities that are a great fit for your skills and background.

Ready to get started? Contact us today.