Job Interviews

Interviews are all about first impressions. So here are some interview tips for making that first impression a positive one.

--Arrive ten minutes early to fill out any paperwork or to be accessible in case your interviewer is ready for you.

--Dress professionally and remember that overdressing is preferred to underdressing

--Turn off your cell phone

--Greet the interviewer and give a firm handshake

--Take a pause in speaking rather than stalling with "um"s or "uh"s or "like"

--Avoid over-using technical jargon to impress the interviewer

--Shake the interviewer's hand and thank them by name

--Send a thank you note as soon as possible following the interview

source

Business Card Etiquette- who knew?

I just stumbled upon an etiquette site that said:

Business cards should never be exchanged while dining.

This is true even in the most informal dining situations.

I did not know this!

I always exchange cards at dinner or at lunch, how about everyone else?

Who knew about this secret etiquette rule and didn't feel the need to tell me!!

So, The rule is: exchange cards after the meal is finished or when goodbyes are said.

I would love to hear every ones thoughts on this!

Cubical Etiquette

I thought I would go along with the rest of the week and post an

article on Cubicle Etiquette! I love this post because every time I hear the word cubicle my mind immediately goes to Milton Waddams in Office Space!!

Here are your do's and don'ts:

PHONES

• Try to pick up your phone on the first ring. Set the ringer volume at the lowest level you can hear.

• Never use a speakerphone in your cubicle. If there is someone else who needs to listen in, use a meeting room for conference calls.

• Watch your volume when talking on the phone. A headset can help keep your voice low. It can also free up your hands to work on the computer while you are talking.

• When you leave your cubicle, turn your phone ringer off and let it go to voicemail or forward your phone number to your new location.

• Never leave your cell phone behind in your cube without first turning it off or to vibrate.

• With personal or sensitive calls, be aware that your neighbors can hear your end of the conversation.

• Don’t interrupt people who are taking calls or stand over them. TALKING

• Use your “library voice”. Talk softly – Don’t shout.

• Don’t talk through cube walls or congregate outside someone’s cube. For impromptu meetings, go to a conference room or break room.

• Don’t bring clients to your cube to meet with them. Go to an office or conference room.

• Don’t yell across the “cube farm”. Get up and move to the other person’s location. GENERAL

NOISE

• Use email or instant messaging to communicate silently with your coworkers.

• Use a headset when using a MP3 player, IPOD, radio, etc. Do not sing or hum along.

• Set your PC volume to a low level and turn off screensaver sound effects.

• Set cell phones and pagers to vibrate.

• Work out an arrangement with your neighbors to take lunch breaks at different times. This will give each of you some quiet time in your cube.

• Eat quietly. Avoid gum-popping, smacking your lips, slurping and pen tapping.

• Just because you have some visual privacy, don’t assume your annoying habits are a secret, i.e. chewing ice, clipping nails, eating crunchy stuff.SMELLS

• A good rule of thumb is to never eat hot food or strong-smelling foods at your desk. Food odors can bother your hungry or nauseous neighbors. Remember that other people will have to live with those odors all afternoon.

• Perfume and cologne should be avoided in a cubicle arrangement. Your neighbors may have allergies.

• Keep a neutralizing air freshener handy.

• Keep your shoes on!

• Keep snacking to a minimum at your desk. Choose quiet foods to snack on.

• If you are a cube lunch eater, keep in mind that other people are also enjoying your meal with you.

DECORATIONS

• Take pride in your work area – it is a reflection of you.

• Maintain a clean and tidy workspace.

• Keep decorations simple and not offensive to others.

• Keep plants clean and trimmed.

• Do not intrude on your co-worker’s space with your cubicle plants.

• Do not clutter your work area with too many pictures, posters, etc.In conclusion, remember that your cubicle is the property of your organization, not your personal kingdom. You are at work to work.

Click here to read more.

Job Interview Etiquette

I know a lot of you lovely ladies are going to interviews like crazy,

hopefully this post will make it a little easier!

...
Turn up early
Not more than 15 minutes (or you'll be either
inconveniencing someone or sitting, waiting in reception for a long time). Sit
in the car park, if you need to!Not less than 5 minutes, or you may appear to be
late. Being late is bad manners and can make an employer think you’d be late on
all deadlines.
Have a firm, but not vice-like handshake
You only get one chance to make a first impression.Your handshake is one of
the most important parts of a first impression.
Treat everyone with respect
You never know who is involved in the recruitment
process.It’s common for even the receptionist to be asked their opinion of
candidates.Watch your manners over lunch. The job interview isn’t confined to
the meeting room.
Don’t get caught unprepared
Don’t
spend most of the interview gushing about how much you want to work for the
company, only to have to admit you haven’t even bothered to visit one of their
stores…Researching the company shows you're enthusiastic and gives you a great
head start.It’s bad manners to go to a job interview, unless you’re actually
interested in the job.
Respect the company culture
It’s a job interview. No matter how much rapport you feel with the interviewer,
you’re not in the pub with your mates.Be polite & courteous. Let the
interviewer take the lead.
Don’t Be A “No Show”
If you're not really interested, have the decency to turn down the offer of the interview.
Don't waste every one's time.If you're going to cancel, let them know. Don't be
a "no show". It takes a place away from a more suitable candidate. Remember it's
a small world: you never know when you might need to do business with someone
who was annoyed by your rudeness.

(read full article here)

Elevator Etiquette

"Your already stuck in a small box, don't make things worse!"

ELEVATOR ETIQUETTE

...

If you end up standing right near the buttons, people expect you to be the
conductor. Remember in the good old days when people use to work as elevator
operators? This is you now! Look at it this way – you can help others to where
they need to go. Put a smile on people’s faces and spread the courtesy.

If you see a person running towards the elevator, make sure to hold the
door open for them. I’m sure they would do the same for you.

If you don’t want to hold the door for whatever reason, try not to look at
the person. Having earphones with you will help even more, since this will let
you become “deaf” for a few seconds, even if you are just wearing them.

If you notice that a courier or someone with a large freight want to get in
the elevator or is already there when you’re getting on, make sure to move to
either side wall, so they can get out easily. Most of the time, they tend to
stand in the middle of the elevator, for easier access to exit.

If you have a cold, make sure to cover your mouth and nose, even if you
don’t have a tissue. No one wants you to report the weather. That’s what The Weather Network
is for.

So the next time you get in an elevator, keep these points in mind. You
will make your day and everyone else’s a better one.
(Article via: Professional Assistant)

Any one have a bad experience...?!? Do tell!!!!

Business Calls

I know alot of you are "Work at Home Moms" and do a lot of communication with other colleges via e-mail and phone. So I was looking for some helpful etiquette tips for you and came accross an article on Business Calls for the working mom.

Work-at-home moms often have to make business calls to potential clients and colleagues. Remember that the impression you make rests entirely on your voice and choice of words, not your appearance. This makes it all the more important to sound personable and professional.

I recommend following the cues of the person with whom you’re speaking. If they are no-nonsense and all business, you be the same.
Here are some fatal faux pas during a business call:

Don’t eat on the phone, even a cough drop or gum can makes its presence known.

Don’t repeatedly address a business associate by his/her first name, as it can sound insincere and patronizing.

Try to arrange calls when the children will be out, napping or occupied.

Business Lunch Etiquette

I know a lot of your are going through the job interviewing process and I thought that this post on business lunch etiquette might help a bit! Every company interviews diffrently, but if it involves a lunch... you will be set! Here are 10 tips to get you through a business lunch:

...................
1. Be in the present moment with whoever you are with. Limit glancing around the room. It’s a sign that you are looking for something better. There is nothing worse than having a conversation with someone who is half there.

2. Being on time. This sounds so commonsensical. The percentage of people being late is over 65 percent.

3. Turn off your cell phone before entering the restaurant. No one around you wants to hear your conversation. Even if you let it ring, pick it up and then take it outside.

4. If you are woman and this is business, it’s appropriate now to stand up and shake the hand of a male.

5. Offer your hand and give a firm handshake. Sometimes, people who don't like to shake hands will not meet yours. Don't think anything of it if they don't, this is just their preference.

6. Think of an opening statement to make as you are shaking hands. This is part of your first impression, so make it good. Always use the guest’s first name either at the beginning or at the end of the statement. For example, "Thank you for taking the time to get together today, Catherine." When needing to complete a group of introductions, highest rank rules over gender.

7. Small talk is important--don't leave it out.

8. Aha, who picks up the tab? If you did the inviting, you are responsible for the check. No matter how more well-off they are. If a joint meeting, ask at the beginning or when scheduling the lunch on check splitting. Waiting until the check arrives to state the check splitting is a sign of professional weakness. If you are meeting with someone who is giving you valuable advice, you must pick up the tab. A personal handwritten follow-up note is also appropriate.

9. Where does the napkin go? Immediately after sitting, place the napkin in your lap. If you notice the napkin is in the goblet, this is usually a signal from the restaurant that the server will place the napkin into your lap. If you excuse yourself during the meal, place the napkin on the left hand side of your plate or on the chair. This signals the server that you aren't done. When done, place napkin on the right of the plate and your fork and knife horizontally across the plate to signal the server.

10. What to eat and use first? Which glass or which fork can be confusing. Bread and salad plates always to the left, drinking glasses to the right. Utensils start from the outside in and the dessert fork is by the dessert plate. Lay your fork and knife across your plate to signal the server you're finished.

Brought to you by Catherine Franz