Business Etiquette for SHRM

7/27/2019 Business Etiquette for SHRM

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SHRM 2010

Business Etiquette: Proper Attire, Language,

and Behaviors during the Job Search

Shelly Trent, SPHR; SHRM Field Services Director


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SHRM 2010

Business Etiquette

Etiquette is about presenting yourself in a waythat shows you can be taken seriously.

You can show your good manners throughoutthe job search process. Be courteous andthoughtful to everyone regardless of positionor company.

Show your appreciation; always follow up withsincere thanks to everyone you meet.


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SHRM 2010

General Business Etiquette

Don't contact your network only when you havebeen laid-off from your job or decide you wantto look for a new position.

If you only network when you want something,you will get a user reputation.

Networking is a two-way street. You need toassist people in your network, too.


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SHRM 2010


Dont litter on company property.

Dont be late for interviews or work (most companies

have a policy that you can be fired for tardiness).

Dont take a sick day or vacation day just because youare allowed one.

Dont take items from the workplace, even if its just

pens, note pads, tape, or paper.

Dont argue with co-workers or your supervisor.

Dont simply give one-word answers.

Dont use foul language or swear words.


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SHRM 2010


Dont take credit for someone else's work.

Dont treat service providers or other employees as

inferiors.

Never make jokes or remarks that mock another'srace/gender/age/disability/sexual preference or religion.

Dont use iPods or mp3 players in a work setting; if you

are listening to music, its likely that you are not listening

or not working.

ALWAYS RSVP for an event or meeting.


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SHRM 2010

Phone Etiquette

When talking on the phone with a potential

employer or other business contact, never put

them on hold to answer another phone call.

Concentrate on the person you are with he or

she should be the priority, not your phone calls,

emails, or texts.

Always return calls, even if you dont have an

answer for them yet or dont want to talk withthe caller.

Dont talk loudly on the phone in public places.


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Scheduling Etiquette

When someone contacts you for an interview,

do not give excuses about when it is convenient

for YOU to come in.

There is always someone else who is eager tomeet the employers timeline!

Cancel your personal plans if needed.

Be enthusiastic on the phone.

Dont be a no-show!!! Recruiters talk! Even if you decide you no longer want the job,

go on the interview for the practice. (Dont tell

them that!)


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Introduction Etiquette

Introduce the more important person first. You

should address your client and say "Mr. Beta,

I'd like you to meet our CEO, Ms. Alpha.

Regardless of your clients or customers

position, that person is always most important.

Both men and women should stand for

handshaking and all introductions.

Wear a name badge on the right shoulder.

Treat business cards with respect and alwayshave cards of your own.


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Interview Etiquette

Make it a point to arrive ten or fifteen minutes earlyfor an interview. Lateness is considered rude andruins your chances.

Be very well prepared for interviews andmeetingsyou are using someone elses time.Use it wisely.

Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting.Remember body language and posture: sit uprightand look alert and interested at all times. Don'tfidget or slouch.

Avoid using poor language, slang, and pausewords (such as "like," you know, I mean, you

know what Im saying, "uh," and "um"). Listen carefully during the interview. Dont think ofanswers to the next questionlisten. If they haveto repeat the question, its as if you didnt carewhat they were saying.

Dont interrupt.


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Interview Etiquette

After the interview, take time to write down thenames and titles (check spelling) of all yourinterviewers, your impressions, remainingquestions, and information learned.

Follow up after the interview with a thank-youletter or note. Employers regard this asevidence of your attention to detail, as well asan indication of your final interest in theposition.

When given a choice between two equalcandidates, the one who wrote a thank-youletter will be chosen.


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Interview Etiquette

No matter what job search strategies youchoose, follow-up and record keeping areimportant for success.

Maintain a careful record of all interviews,thank-you notes sent, referrals made, andfollow-up actions.

Job seekers who fail to maintain thisinformation often lose valuable contacts as well

as credibility with prospective employers. Follow up within 24 hours!!


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Email/Online Etiquette

Beware of e-mail use (spelling, grammar, andthe way it comes across).

Do not use emoticons in business e-mails.

Business e-mails should be written in a formalmanner, rather than a familiar or casualmanner.

Have an e-mail address, and NOT one like

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]


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Email/Online Etiquette

Recruiters say they've eliminated a candidate

based on the information they uncovered

onlinenothing is private on the Internet.

Dont post photos of yourself at parties drinking,

or doing anything you wouldnt want an

employer to see.

No derogatory jokes or comments or any risky

hobbies.


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Etiquette of Appropriate Dress

Interviewers make judgments about you in the

first few minutes that could impact their

decision to hire you.

Your handshake, eye contact, body language,posture, listening skills, clothing, grooming,

and accessories tell them a lot.

Have a firm handshake (web & wrap).


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Proper Dress--Women:

Have an attractive, modern hair style. No wild

dos or fun colors.

Don't wear too many accessories.

Wear little or no perfume. Brush your teeth and use mouthwash.

Never chew gum or smoke. Dont smoke in the

car on the way to the interview. Dont wear

clothes that smell like smoke. Do not use excessive makeup.

Clean your glasses, including the nose grips.

Wear a clean, pressed outfit or suit.


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Proper Dress--Women:

Clean and polish your nails with a soft color orclear.

Wear conservative hosierya skin-tone shade isbestNOT suntan or any color (i.e., black, navy,

cream). Clean and polish your shoes. Your purse should

match your shoe color.

Carry a conservative purse (no big buckles orchains, no bright colors) or briefcase.

Tattoos and piercings should not show other thanone pair of earrings.

Do not wear white shoes or carry a white purse toan interview.

NO SANDALS or bare feet!


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Sample Interview Attire


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What NOT to Wear
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Proper Dress--Men:

Have clean, trimmed hair in a professionalstyle.

Have a fresh shave or trim your facial hair. Wear little or no cologne.

Brush your teeth and use mouthwash. Never chew gum or smoke. Dont smoke in

the car on the way to the interview. Dontwear clothes that smell like smoke.

Clean your glasses, including the nose grips.

Wear a clean, pressed shirt and suit. Wear a clean, fashionable but conservativetie.

Make certain your collar covers your tie inthe back. Your tie should touch the top ofyour belt buckle.


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Proper Dress--Men:

Clean and trim your nails. Clean and polish your shoes. Your belt

should match your shoe color. Carry a briefcase or portfolio.

Tattoos and piercings should not show. Wear flat-front pants, as pleated pants make

you look heavier. Your dress shirt should be solid in a neutral

color, preferably white, but certainly a lightcolor.

Wear solid-color socks that cover your wholeshin/calfno leg hair should show if you sitdown or cross your legs.

Opt for navy or charcoal suit, not black.


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Sample Interview Attire


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What NOT to Wear
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What about tattoos?


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SHRM 2010

What image do you portray?


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SHRM 2010

Remember!

Always err on the side of conservative dressdress forthe job you want, not for the job you have (or dont haveYET!).

Brad Karsh, author of Confessions of a RecruitingDirector, says, You should wear a suit (and tie for men)to every interview. Period. The only RARE exception iswhen the interviewer specifically tells you not to. Even ifthe company has casual dress, you still wear a suit. Itshows respect. If you underdress, the impact is huge; ifyou overdress, the impact is minimal.*

*Karsh, Brad. 2006. Confessions of a Recruiting Director. Prentice Hall: New York, NY.


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SHRM 2010

Mealtime Etiquette

You may have an interview during a meal.

Dont call any attention to what you ordershould be something of low to mid expense,and nothing messy.

Dont order an alcoholic beverage, even ifothers do.

Even if they act casual about the meal, treat itvery formally. They are watching you to see

how you behave. Dont chew with your mouth open, and dont

talk with food in your mouth.


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SHRM 2010

Mealtime Etiquette

The fork goes on the left. The spoon and knife goon the right.

Food items go on the left, so your bread plate is onyour left. Drinks, including coffee cups, should be onthe right. Remember BMW (bread, meal, water).

When sitting at a banquet table, you may begineating when two people to your left and right areserved. If you haven't been served, but most of yourtable has, encourage others to start.

Reach only for items in front of you; ask that other

items be passed by a neighbor. Offer to the left;pass to the right. If the bread (or other dish) is infront of you, do not take a serving. Pass it and takeyours last.


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SHRM 2010

Mealtime Etiquette

Using a soup spoon, scoop soup away from you.Soup is taken from the side of the soup spoon.

The meal begins when the host unfolds his or her

napkin. If there is no host, put your napkin in yourlap when drinks are served.

Starting with the knife, fork, or spoon that is farthestfrom your plate, work your way in, using one utensilfor each course. The salad (smaller) fork is on your

outermost left, followed by your dinner fork. Yoursoup spoon is on your outermost right, followed byyour beverage spoon, salad knife, and dinner knife.Your dessert spoon and fork are above your plate orbrought out with dessert.


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SHRM 2010

Mealtime Etiquette

Bread/rolls should never be eaten whole. Breakinto smaller, more manageable pieces,buttering only a few bites at a time.

Take butter from the butter plate and place itonto your bread plate. Dont butter your breadfrom the butter plate.

Pass salt/pepper as a set.

Dont cut all of your food up. Cut one bite at atime.

If you do not want coffee, turn your cup over.


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SHRM 2010

Mealtime Etiquette


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SHRM 2010

Mealtime Etiquette

As you eat, leave your knife across your plate at thetop.

Leave your plate where it is in the place setting.When finished, do not push your plates away or

stack them. The common way to show that you have finished

your meal is to lay your fork and knife diagonallyacross your plate. Place your knife and fork side byside, with the sharp side of the knife blade facinginward and the fork, tines down, to the left of theknife. The knife and fork should be placed as if theyare pointing to the numbers 10 and 4 on a clockface.

Once used, dining utensils should never again touchthe table.


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Leaving Your Job

If you dislike your job, your boss, yourcompany, your co-workers> DONT just quit your job. That is immature.

> DONT tell anyone at work how you feel.

> DONT spend time at work looking for a new job.

> DONT tell off your boss.

DO your best work and continue to do agood job until you quietly accept another

job. DONT forget that every employer can give

a referenceDONT burn your bridges.


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SHRM 2010

Leaving Your Job

After you notify your boss and have had a

discussion about leaving, you can then notify

your co-workers

Do not take any company property Do not delete company filesEVERYTHING on

a company computer belongs to the company

even your personal documents (you should

NEVER save personal files on a company

computer)

You can be sued for erasing company files


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SHRM 2010

Leaving Your Job

Take home your personal desk property beforeyour last day

Get copies of your performance reviews andany info from your HR file you may need

Prepare to be escorted out on your last day

you will no longer have any access to thebuilding or anything else


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SHRM 2010

Workplace Etiquette

Be careful at office partiesdont drink too much, make crude

jokes, or act unprofessional.

Many workplaces have rules against employee dating. It is best

not to have a relationship with someone at work.

If you go on a business trip, be sure to attend all the meetings

and stay the whole time. Dont spend time playing golf,shopping, or wasting company time.

Be careful what you say about your boss, co-workers, or

company online. People are fired every day for posting

derogatory information.

Remember that you represent your company 24/7, even whenyou are not on the clock. Your personal behaviors will

influence how your boss views you as an employee.


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Questions and Discussion

Good luck on your job search or in your career!

Documents

Business Etiquette for SHRM