Business Etiquette (adapted from KPMG)
Ten Ways to Make a Positive First Impression:
Netiquette
Social Situations - "Making Small Talk"Appropriate Topics:
- Look and act friendly and approachable
- Project a polished professional appearance
- Smile ~ act like you mean it
- Maintain eye contact when appropriate
- Offer a confident handshake
- Stand tall and walk with a purpose
- Use a person's name during your conversation
- Listen with more than your ears ~ be observant
- Develop the art of small talk
- Say "Please, Thank you, Excuse me and I'm sorry" often
- Comes with eye contact
- Is firm but painless
- Lasts about three seconds
- Take between two and five "pumps"
- Starts and stops crisply
- Doesn't continue through the entire introduction
- Is always made with your right hand, even if you are left-handed, unless you are physically disabled
- Someone offers his/her hand to you
- First time meeting someone
- Greeting guests
- Greeting your host/hostess
- Renewing an acquaintance
- Saying good-bye
- Always try to hold your drink in your left hand, keeping your right hand free should someone walk up and introduce him/herself.
- If your hands are cold and clammy, do not mention it. It will only take the attention away from your introduction.
- If seated, always stand to shake hands (men and women).
Netiquette
- Your image on e-mail is as important as your image on the phone or in person.
- Employers can, and do, monitor e-mail & internet activity
- Allow 2-3 days for a response
- If it is important, leave a phone message as well
- Always proofread and spellcheck
- Watch your tone, as many things can be misunderstood
- Include a subject, salultation, and closing - like a memo
- Do not e-mail formal documents
- Do not use web jargon
Social Situations - "Making Small Talk"Appropriate Topics:
- Family or home life
- Job or career
- Interests and hobbies
- Pets
- Sports
- Comedians and celebrities
- Vacations
- Music
- Interesting everyday topics
- Money (Salary, bonus, etc.)
- Alcohol
- Asking how much something costs
- Asking about other candidates
- Asking about or sharing confidential client information
- Health/Weight/Diets
- Religion
- Sex
- Politics
- Overly-personal questions
- Cursing
- Jokes in bad taste
- Ethnic slurs
- Negative comments (about the reception/dinner or about the client)
- Drinking more than two alcoholic beverages
- Eating while standing
- Speaking negatively about your firm (or other firms), clients, the profession or if in a recruiting setting, the competition
- Being late or leaving early
- PDA - "Public Displays of Affection"
