|
 Business Etiquette
Proper etiquette is essential for making a favorable impression at both lunch/dinner interviews as well as in social business situations. Although common sense is often your best guide, the following suggestions will help you stand out as a polished professional. Keep in mind that these guidelines are appropriate in western culture.
 Greetings and Introductions
- When meeting someone for the first time, be sure to make eye contact and smile. Stand up if you are seated and extend your hand to give a firm handshake.
- When shaking hands during an introduction, repeat the person's name
in your greeting (i.e. "Pleased to meet you, Ms. Smith").
- In a business situation, when introuducing a junior executive to a senior executive, say the senior executive's name first.
- Business cards: Attending a meeting or networking event without a business card gives the impression that you are not prepared. Keep business cards protected in a business-card holder and stock up before you attend.
Nametags
- Wear your nametag in the area below your right shoulder.
- Make sure your name is clearly printed and easy to read.
Cell Phone Etiquette
The following guidelines should help you avoid cell phone faux-pas!
- Do not conduct a phone interview on a cell phone. Do not put your interview at risk by a potentially poor connection or low cell phone battery.
- Provide a professional voice mail-box message. Be sure to provide your callers with your name and a professional message for returning phone calls.
- Keep cellular phone calls brief and to the point. Using a cell phone in a public setting does not impress others.
- When in doubt, mute. You may put your phone on vibrate so as not to miss an important call, but do not take a personal cellular call during an interview or business meeting.
- Choose ringtones you won't regret . Select more sedate, environment-friendly ringtones that are appropriate to the business environment.
- Excuse yourself before taking the call. Don't talk on your cell phone, play games, or send text messages in front of someone who expects your attention.
- Don't yell. Tell callers when you are on a mobile phone. Talking loudly doesn't make you easier to hear; lower your voice or move to a quieter place to continue a call.
- When in earshot, keep it short. Be aware of your surroundings. Do not conduct nonessential calls in public transportation, restaurants, checkout lines, elevators, bathrooms, and other close quarters.
- If it's an emergency, take the call. To manage calls at inopportune times, establish a communications plan with loved ones. Ask when you answer, "Hi, is this an emergency?", if it is not, people will understand; and if it is, you want to know.
|
Ways We Can Help
|
|
|
Useful External Web Sites