Software developers are in high demand these days, so we are typically given a lot of leeway. But that doesn’t mean you should be a complete, unprofessional slob on the job. Sometimes the most simple professional habits can make a huge difference in your career.

When I was a kid, my parents would admonish me to tuck in my shirt, brush my teeth, comb my hair and a million other things. They were trying, as most parents are, to make sure I became a reasonable member of society so that I didn’t move back in after college.

While I may not have appreciated it at the time, they were on to something. It turns out that having good hygiene, not dressing like a slob, and treating others with respect are important skills life! These aren’t things that parents use to torment their kids!

Most everyone that I’ve known in my professional career who have some level of influence, either by title or otherwise, have adopted these professional habits.

Dress the Part

Dress codes in the software development industry tend to be quite relaxed. The extent of the dress code at most places I’ve worked has been, “You must be dressed”.  Shorts and t-shirt? No problem. The clothes you slept in the night before? Fine, as long as you’re getting your work done.

I dress as casually as they come. If you were to see me on the weekend, I’d be wearing a t-shirt and shorts or jeans, depending on the weather.

But have you ever watched the folks who get ahead in your company? What do they wear? Have you wondered why the contractors on the project typically show up to work wearing a dress shirt and dress pants or skirt?

Whether they’re aware of it or not, people tend to make snap judgements about people based on their appearance. If you dress like a slob, people might be tempted to think that your work follows suit. Conversely, if you’re dressed better than average, people tend to have a more positive impression of you.

How you dress can have an impact on your own mindset as well. By simply putting on some nicer “work” clothing, you are telling yourself, “It’s time to get to work”. If you’re dressed like you just rolled out of bed, does your mind really wake up enough to provide its full potential?

In recent years, I’ve made the conscious decision that, whatever the norms are at the office, I was going to wear something “professional” looking. For me, that typically means a button down or polo shirt and jeans or slacks. I don’t go crazy and wear a suit and tie.

Not only does this present a more professional look, but I find that by putting on some nicer clothing to go to work, I’m in the right frame of mind. At the end of the day, when I get home, simply changing into something more relaxing is a natural trigger to put the challenges of the day aside and enjoy time with my family.

Watch Your Mouth

The older I get, the more I understand that much of what we do is as much about communication as it about technical knowledge. What we say and how we say it has much to do with how effective we are in our profession. Whether it’s coordinating with coworkers about some technical detail, asking for a raise, or getting clear on product requirements, nearly every aspect of our job involves some form of communication.

• Don’t speak ill of your coworkers or manager. If you make rude comments or just complain about someone behind their back, you reduce your influence and credibility. While your coworkers might nod and agree with you, they secretly wonder what you say about them.
• Talk about the problem, not the people. Nothing puts people on the defensive faster than saying things like, “Your problem is…” or “Why would you do that?”  Instead, make “I” focused statements relating to the problem. For example, “I don’t see how this solves the problem” or “Help me understand, are you saying that…”
• Use data and facts. Nothing influences people more than presenting hard data and facts. If you’re trying to convince your Product manager to take on some tech debt, saying something like, “This will improve the website performance by 20%” is much more impactful than “This will make the website faster”.
• Finish chewing. Nobody is listening to what you’re saying if your mouth is full of food or you’re smacking your gum. Whatever you’re going to say can wait until you’ve swallowed. Here, have a mint.

Basically, don’t be a jerk. Think before you open your mouth. Remember what your mom said, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”

Mind Your Surroundings

As you may have noticed, the trend these days has been to move to a more “open” and “collaborative” environment, meaning that you have a desk and little else. Those of us who were missing the days of separate offices are now missing our cubicles!

Programming is work that requires periods of intense concentration. If you’re like me, anything that distracts you causes that mental model you have in your head to come crashing down.

Whether you’re in one of these open floorplans or a cube, be considerate of your neighbors. If you dislike being distracted as much as I do, then make sure you’re not a distraction for others.

• Use headphones. Some might appreciate the funny cat video you’re watching, but to the rest of us, it’s distracting. Put in the earbuds and share the link with your friends.
• Avoid long conversations. If someone comes to you with a question or concern, that’s fine. But if it looks like the conversation is going to take more than a few minutes, consider taking it to a conference room or other public space.
• Skip the cologne or perfume. Body scents are fine on your next date or the night on the town. In the office, they emanate throughout the space and can be bothersome to others. And if you happen to smoke, stop and wash your hands and face before returning to work, those of us who don’t smoke appreciate it.

Conclusion

Programmers don’t work in a vacuum. Even if you’re a solo contractor, you have to interact with customers, prospects, vendors, and more throughout your day. It doesn’t take much to come across as the professional you are. Watch what you say, think about how you present yourself to others and have consideration for those working around you.

Keep these professional habits in mind, and I bet you’ll begin to have more influence with your peers and get the recognition you deserve for all your technical work.

Question****: What do you think are important professional habits?