Professionalism for Business Communication – Final EssayProfessionalism is the conduct, goals or qualities that characterize a professional person. This concept includes a number of different attributes such as responsibility, integrity, accountability and excellence. Failing to behave professionally at work can have disastrous consequences on a person's career. This essay analyzes several unprofessional behaviors of the protagonist of the film “The Devil Wears Prada” (2006) and shows how she can actually improve the situation through a more professional approach. The film takes place in the office of a magazine named Runway with the main character, Andrea Sachs, taking on the role of personal assistant to the editor-in-chief. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay To begin with, specialist knowledge is a key attribute of professionalism, something not seen in Andrea early in her career. As Emily – the first assistant – says in the film: “Runway is a fashion magazine, so interest in fashion is crucial. » However, Andrea's initial performance shows no fashion expertise. She has never heard of Miranda Priestly, a prominent industry figure; she doesn't know how to spell Gabbana and has no idea what a passage is. Mastery of specialized knowledge plays a vital role in maintaining a professional image (Mind Tools). To be successful, professionals must acquire a stable core of knowledge in their field and keep it constantly updated. In this sense, Andrea does not meet professional expectations when it comes to work. The situation could be improved if she spent a lot of time researching to fully understand fashion before entering this billion dollar industry. Additionally, from the first day of work, Andrea does not follow the professional dress code for her job. She wears an old, wrinkled jacket and her unruly hair shows a lack of care for her personal appearance. The next day, it's not better. A blue wool sweater and knee-length plaid skirt are acceptable to a certain extent, but given Andrea's work environment, it seems completely inappropriate. One of the core values ​​of professionalism in the workplace is appropriate dress. According to human resources expert Heathfield (2015), the standard of dress for a formal business environment is “a suit, jacket and trousers or skirt, or dress paired with appropriate accessories”. Ironed and unwrinkled clothing is required. Judging by these rules, Andrea clearly misbehaved professionally at work by not following the formal dress code. One way to redeem yourself is to adhere to the formal dress code guidelines and try to meet the dress requirements of such a prestigious fashion magazine. Additionally, Andrea's lack of responsibility is another manifestation of her lack of professionalism in the workplace. When she fails to carry out Miranda's order and is reprimanded, she begins to complain that her efforts are not recognized. It is Nigel, the magazine's designer, who enlightens Andrea and convinces her to admit her error in her profession. Professionals hold themselves accountable for every action they take at work, including their mistakes (Small Business). The concept of responsibility refers to the ability to recognize.