At VICTVS, we have four core values which underpin all the work we do and the way we operate: Honesty, Integrity, Professionalism, and Courage.  These values are integral to the company, and we make sure all new team members understand and uphold them from the very start.  

Each quarter, we have been exploring a different VICTVS value, examining what it means in everyday life and the important role it plays in the business.  In this blog post, we will be looking at our fourth and final value: Professionalism.  

What is Professionalism? 

Professionalism is acting with the competence or skill expected of an expert.  It’s a trait we look for in all our staff at VICTVS — from those at our head office to members of our VICTVS Global Network.  

What constitutes professionalism is subjective but broadly involves holding yourself to high standards and looking, behaving, and talking in a way that is appropriate for the job you have been entrusted to do. It can also include: 

• Being punctual 

• Having high organisational skills 

• Using good judgement 

• Being polite 

• Dressing appropriately 

Many also see acting with a strong sense of integrity as a key component to professionalism.  This is another one of our core values at VICTVS, and you can read about its importance to us here. 

The definition of professionalism has changed over time as a result of evolving cultural attitudes and global developments.  For example, tattoos have recently become more widely accepted in office environments across the Western world, along with more casual dress codes.  Since 2020’s global lockdowns, many workplaces have also normalised working from home and holding meetings where staff join remotely, something which may have previously been seen as unacceptable.  As workplace and cultural norms continue to develop, we can expect the characteristics of professionalism to change with them.  

It is important to understand how your organisation defines professionalism so that you can act appropriately when at work.  This is especially important when communicating with the public or potential clients, as we represent the company we work for.  Our behaviour, whether good or bad, reflects on the company.  Unprofessional behaviour in public or with clients can even result in reputational damage.   

What Does Professionalism Mean to Us at VICTVS? 

Professionalism at VICTVS means holding yourself to a high standard, respecting your colleagues and clients, and ensuring that your actions reflect well on the company at all times.  It means acting with integrity and care, and ensuring that all processes are followed correctly, so that the clients and exam candidates we work with can trust the services we provide. 

As an assessment provider working with organisations and candidates across the world, professionalism is especially important to us.  Our invigilators are often the direct point of contact for exam candidates, and the experience we provide can have a real impact on how candidates feel during what is often a high-pressure situation.  Remaining calm, respectful, and conveying exam conditions clearly is essential to delivering a fair and secure assessment experience. 

We know there is no single way to “look” professional, and we recognise that cultural norms and expectations can differ across regions.  However, we do expect our staff to follow our dress codes and presentation guidelines, particularly when invigilating exams or representing VICTVS in a client-facing capacity.  Whether working in a test centre, remotely, or online, our team should present themselves in a way that is appropriate for the responsibility they hold. 

Professionalism at VICTVS also extends beyond appearance.  It includes being punctual and prepared, communicating clearly and courteously, exercising good judgement, and maintaining strict confidentiality.  It means understanding the importance of our role in protecting academic integrity and ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly and consistently. 

Ultimately, professionalism underpins the trust our clients place in us.  By acting professionally at all times, we help safeguard exam security, support candidates, and maintain VICTVS’s reputation as a reliable and credible assessment partner worldwide. 

Final Thoughts 

Professionalism is a core value at VICTVS, one which underpins the trust our clients and candidates place in us, and ensures the delivery of secure, fair, and reliable assessments worldwide.  It guides how we present ourselves, how we communicate, and how we carry out our responsibilities, even in high-pressure or unfamiliar situations. 

Whether supporting candidates during an exam, working collaboratively across teams and time zones, or representing VICTVS to clients and partners, professionalism enables us to act with consistency, care, and integrity, helping to uphold academic standards and protect the reputation of the organisations we work with.  It underpins our other core values and sets us apart as a trusted, reliable partner in the global assessment space.