Business Etiquette

Parma City Schools

ABLE/ESOL

Business Etiquette

Basic manners – bring them into your work environment “thank you” “excuse me”

60% of people are visual communicators How do you want them to perceive you?

Perception = Reality

What is your “personal brand”? What is your “professional image”? Two stages:

Initial Perception – immediate Sustained Perception – over time

Initial Perception?

Sustained Perception?

Sustained Perceptions

“The King”

Or

“The Traitor”

Business Etiquette

Dress Greeting Business Card/Resumes Business Communication (Phone Etiquette) Email/Social Media

Dress

Does Dress impact decision on interview? Yes- 93% No – 7%

Does Dress impact promotion potential? Yes – 96% No – 4%

Dr. Thomas Clark, Xavier

University

Dress

Grooming Clean and well-groomed hair and nails light cologne or perfume Limited jewelry Conceal tattoos/body jewelry Belts on pants Don’t smoke before an interview Don’t chew gum

Dress

Wear professional attire regardless of the position you are applying for. Wearing a suit to the interview shows you are taking the interview seriously. If you are unsure, ask someone in that profession.

A two piece matching suit is the best and safest choice. Conservative outfit and colors (black, dark gray, navy) are safe. Everything should be clean and well pressed. Don’t confuse club attire with business attire. If you wear it to

the club, you probably shouldn’t wear it as the interview. Shop at Discount stores and Thrift stores to save money on

professional attire.

Greetings

Quiet and understated Mirror gestures of person you are meeting Use formal titles (Mr., Mrs., Dr.) Go alone to the interview. Do not bring your

friend, spouse, etc.

The Handshake

Pumper Dead Fish Squeezer Two-Handed (how can this be

misinterpreted?) Equal, with direct eye contact Be aware of “business culture” when shaking

hands

Handshake

Do you initiate a handshake?

Do you wait for the handshake to be initiated?

Introductions

How do you introduce yourself?

How do you introduce yourself to a secretary?

How you introduce others to each other?

Introductions

Hi, I’m Joe Smith (vs. Mr., Mrs., Miss)

Hello, I’m Jane Jones. I’m here for my 9 o’clock interview with Mr. Smith

Introductions

Mention authority figures first and introduce others to them

Introduce a younger person to an older person

Always stand up (unless you are ill or disabled)

Include information about the person when introducing

Introductions

Mr. Smith, I’d like you to meet Joe Jones. Joe recently started taking classes for a nursing degree at Tri-C.

Mrs. Smith, may I introduce Jenny Jones. Jenny and I worked together last year.

Punctuality

BE ON TIME!

If you are running late, call to reschedule

Business Cards

Free business cards Vistaprint.com (you will just pay shipping) Describe your skills on the back

Resumes

Samples can be found online Submit WITH application, not instead of

application Bring copies to your interview

Business Communication

Phone Calls and Voicemail Thank you notes Cell Phones

Phone Calls and Voicemails

Making a phone call Identify yourself Ask the person if he/she has time to talk Return calls the same day Never put someone on hold without asking

(just don’t unless it is an emergency) Don’t do other work while on the phone

Phone Calls and Voicemails

Know what you want to say prior to making the call

If no one answers, identify yourself and leave a brief message and callback number (allow one-two business days for a return phone call)

If they answer, identify yourself, stick with your original message and purpose, and thank the person at the end of the call.

Phone Calls and Voicemails

Voicemail Identify yourself and your callback number Be brief and to the point, repeat your name and call

back number at the end of the call.

Record your own voicemail Be concise and upbeat. If you use your number for both professional and

personal purposes, be aware of your professional perception

This includes ring tone that the caller hears (music instead of ring tone?)

Phone Calls and Voicemails

Your voicemail Start with an upbeat greeting (Hi, you have reached

the voicemail of Jenny Jones.) Indicate how the caller can get a response (Please

leave your name and number and I will return your call) Close on a positive note (Thanks and have a great

day!) KEEP IN MIND

Your phone is for both professional and personal use Do you want to have music playing in the background

or on your ring tone that may affect your professional perception?

Phone Calls and Voicemails

Answering the phone Sound upbeat If the number is unknown, keep in mind it may be a

professional phone call. If you are busy or sleeping, decide whether you can

answer in a professional manner. Do not put caller on hold without asking permission (if it

is a professional phone call, avoid this unless it is an emergency)

If hesitant, ask the caller to identify themselves. (avoid “who is this?”, instead use “may I ask who’s calling?”

Thank you letters

Send thank you letters after interviews. These can be short and hand written. Send the same day as the interview. Local Restaurant

Four years, no thank you letters. Would it make a difference when choosing

between two candidates for the position?

Cell Phones

How might your cell phone affect your professional perception?

Have them on silent or turn off Do not have cell phone visible If your phone accidentally goes off, quickly

apologize and ignore the call. Do not answer calls or check text messages

Social Media

GOOGLE yourself Facebook/Myspace/Social Media

Be cautious when accepting co-workers Know about privacy settings Don’t accept people who don’t know or hardly

know Pictures you post are part of your “personal

brand”

References

Smith Career Center, http://www.career.vt.edu/Interviewing/InterviewAppearance.html, retrieved 23 August 2010.

Stacey Houston-Banks, “Business Etiquette” powerpoint, as presented 16 August 2010 at Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma Heights Branch.

Dr. Thomas Clark, Xavier University, http://www.slideshare.net/Tom45207/business-etiquette-powerpoint-slides, retrieved 23 August, 2010.