5 Ways to Repair Your Reputation at Work

Blow a presentation? Improperly complete a task? Miss a big deadline? If so, at work, your character (and talent) is probably in question. As a result, you may be wondering how to get your career back on track. Before you start filling out applications and searching on Monster.com, try to repair your reputation. You can transform how people see you at the office by doing five key things. Just:

1. Stay on task.
Don't give up. Most blunders people make at work include an unforgettable one, an error that haunts them. The key is to not let your humanity derail you. Remain professional. Be prompt. Follow through on assignments. Support your team. Continue to act like the 'good' employee you were prior to your mishap.

2. Apologize publicly.
Repair your reputation at work by letting your boss and 'affected' co-workers know you're sorry. Tell them you had a lapse in judgment, but not on purpose. Then, allow them to ask you the why's and how's. Although uncomfortable, your ability to explain yourself will help rebuild trust.

3. Take responsibility.
Accept your part in the failure. Avoid deflecting fault to others. When your boss talks to you about what went wrong, focus on yourself. Throwing others under the bus won't accomplish anything except making you look like a snitch. Your superior will respect you more and see you as being an adult.

4. Endure office gossip.
Face reality. The boo-boo's our co-workers make serve as fodder for juicy office gossip. So, unfortunately, when you are the one who made the snafu, people will talk. However, be of good cheer. Most office gossip will go away after people get bored or someone else does something wrong. In the meanwhile, keep your cool and don't get too upset.

5. Look for opportunities.
Help others forget about your faux pas and repair your reputation at work by involving yourself in other opportunities. Volunteer for new projects and focus on handling them successfully. Show your boss and peers that you're smart, talented and worth your weight in gold; one big mistake can't take away from what you bring to the table.

See how you can change your reputation at work with a little effort? Use the above factors to rebound from a huge mistake. Unless you get fired on the spot, you can come back stronger than ever. After a while, people won't even remember what happened.

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