Work Ethic Skills: Top 8 Values to
Develop
November 26, 2020
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By: Indeed Editorial Team
Work ethic is a valuable attribute that employers look for in every industry. Showing the
values associated with a good work ethic can increase your employability and help you
position yourself for better job opportunities. Employees with excellent work ethic are
often considered by employers for opportunities for special projects because they’re
reliable, dedicated and disciplined. This list will help you identify ways that you can
highlight your work ethic in any job.
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What is work ethic?
Work ethic is an attitude of determination and dedication toward one’s job. Those with a
strong work ethic place a high value on their professional success. They exhibit moral
principles that make them outstanding employees in any position. If you have a strong
work ethic, you believe in the importance of your job and typically feel that hard work is
essential to maintaining a strong character.
Read more: Tips to Demonstrate Work Ethic
Examples of work ethic skills
Employees with a strong work ethic exhibit a particular set of values and behaviors.
These characteristics make them stand out as highly coveted team members and
praise-worthy employees.
Reliability
Dedication
Discipline
Productivity
Cooperation
Integrity
Responsibility
Professionalism
Reliability
Employees with a strong work ethic are very reliable. You can expect these individuals
to be on time for shifts and meetings. They meet their deadlines and offer quality work.
A reliable coworker makes an excellent teammate because they contribute fairly to
projects.
Dedication
Part of a good work ethic is commitment and dedication to the job. They know how to
focus on tasks without being distracted. These employees usually work until they finish
their duties. They stay with one company for long periods of time.
Discipline
Discipline is an essential part of showing a good work ethic. Highly disciplined
employees show determination and commitment to the job. They strive to meet or
exceed expectations and seek opportunities to learn new skills and improve their
performance.
Productivity
A strong work ethic translates to outstanding productivity. Productive employees often
have a higher output than their counterparts. They complete projects early and do more
than the minimum requirements.
Cooperation
A good work ethic is something that employees often spread to those around them by
cooperating willingly on projects. They show good teamwork and readily assist others
when needed.
Related: 10 Best Skills to Include on a Resume
Integrity
Professional integrity means holding oneself to high moral principles. Those with a
strong work ethic also have outstanding integrity. They’re honest, polite and fair to
others.
Responsibility
Demonstrating strong work ethic requires a keen sense of responsibility. Those who are
ethical and responsible hold themselves accountable for their actions. They will accept
the blame for errors they’ve contributed to and proactively work to fix these issues.
Professionalism
Employees with a good work ethic almost always maintain their professionalism. They
exhibit a professional attitude clear in the way they dress, speak and carry themselves.
They’re respectful, focused, organized and neat.
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How to improve work ethic skills
You can exhibit notable work ethic skills by acting professionally and dedicating yourself
to the job. Try these tips to demonstrate your work ethic:
1. Act as an ambassador of the company
Maintain a positive attitude toward the company in both professional and personal
interactions. Seek ways to further the business even if they’re outside the scope of your
job. For example, a finance professional may pass a potential lead along to a sales
representative.
2. Prioritize your professional responsibilities
Maintain good attendance, return promptly from lunch and arrive for meetings early.
Strive to make personal appointments that don’t interfere with your work schedule and
only take personal calls on your cell phone when you’re at lunch.
3. Seek professional development
Independently seek ways to improve your work performance, such as taking night
classes, attending weekend seminars or reading industry publications.
4. Review your work
Submit thorough work that you have double-checked for quality and consistency.
Manage your time properly so you can deliver projects early and give each task the time
and attention it requires.
5. Show respect to others
Speak politely to and about others in the workplace. Keep your interactions professional
to show your respect for others.
Ways to highlight work ethic skills
Showing the qualities of a good work ethic can help you improve your performance in
any career. Employers look for the values associated with a strong work ethic when
they’re hiring or promoting employees. Employees can gain hard skills through training
and education, but the soft skills associated with work ethic are more difficult to impart,
so hiring managers typically look for individuals who already exhibit these qualities. Use
the following tips to highlight your work ethic to prospective employers.
Work ethic skills for your resume
A strong work ethic is difficult to convey on a resume but you can emphasize some
values associated with it as you describe your responsibilities in previous jobs. Highlight
any instances where a previous client or employer selected you for a prestigious project
or challenging task. This shows you’re trustworthy and reliable. Detail any instances
where you worked overtime to meet a deadline or handle an important issue. List
awards and other recognition that you have received as these show your commitment to
the job.
Related: The Best Job Skills to Make Your Resume Stand Out
Work ethic skills for your cover letter
Your cover letter gives you some flexibility to discuss your work ethic in more detail.
Mention skills associated with a strong work ethic, such as your dependability and
discipline. Mention that you’re seeking a job that will challenge you and provide room for
growth. This lets your prospective employer know that you want to work hard to do an
outstanding job.
Work ethic skills for the job interview
The interview is the best place to show your work ethic. You can exhibit the essential
values associated with a good work ethic throughout the interview process by:
Arriving promptly before the interview
Dressing professionally
Giving a firm handshake and making eye contact
Speaking respectfully to your interviewer
Responding honestly to difficult questions, such as why you’re leaving your
current job
Providing examples of your integrity, such as an instance where you made a
mistake but admitted to it and took steps to remedy the error
Mentioning your willingness to work long hours to get the job done
