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This paper explores the image of a public servant of the Russian Federation whose qualities affect the opinion of population about public servants, public service, and the state in general. The paper is based on the results of sociological surveys and is aimed at answering the question whether professionalism is a system-building element in the image of a public servant, what other qualities create this image and how these qualities correlate with the qualities chosen by future public servants - students specializing in state and municipal management. The surveys have been conducted in two Russian cities (Moscow and Langepas (Khanty-Mansi autonomous district)). Participants of the Langepas survey were residents of the city, and those of the Moscow survey were residents of Moscow, respectively, including a group of first-year students specializing in state and municipal management. The data analysis has shown that professionalism based on continuous improvement of knowledge and skills is the system-building element in the image of a public servant. Moreover, the leading motive of professional activity is social and state benefit and the professional activity of a public servant is a necessity. The authority of a public servant depends on his activities and affects the authority of the state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]