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1 Knowing the basics of business etiquette is important in any workplace.The following “top nine” business etiquette suggestions will help you to present yourself professionally through your words, actions and appearance.
2 Greet others. Say “hello,”“good morning” or “hi” to people you know and don’t know. You appear friendly when you do. The adage “don’t talk to strangers”doesn’t apply in the business world.
3 Shake hands correctly. We make assumptions about people based on the quality of their handshake. If someone gives you a limp handshake, what do you think? Be honest. Yes, weak.
4 Build relationships. People want to work with individuals they know, like and trust. Learn the art of small talk to help you establish connections with others. Have interesting topics to discuss, but stay away from sex, religion and office gossip.
5 Tune into your body language. Try to see yourself as you appear to others. Avoid pointing your finger or pounding the table. Look people in the eye. If you don’t, others will assume you are not listening to them. Wear a pleasant facial expression and when it is appropriate, smile.
6 Wear appropriate clothing. How you are dressed is often one of the first things people notice about you. Ask yourself, “Is what I’m wearing appropriate?”
7 Be comfortable at business meals. Understand that the point of the business meal is not food. You dine to conduct business and establish relationships. You may need to eat, but you are not there for the food. Make sure you order foods that you know how to eat, that are easy to eat and that you like to eat.
8 Use your phone politely. The way we communicate in the workplace has changed dramatically over the last few years, yet how you present yourself on the phone always matters. Answer your phone politely and professionally. Use a greeting and your name and/or company name and department. Give both your first and last names.
9 Eliminate e-mail embarrassments. Have you accidentally sent an e-mail to someone other than the intended recipient, or sent one with mistakes in it? You are not alone. Yet, such mistakes can be costly to you. They may damage your professional reputation or even cost you your job.
10 Don’t let social media hurt your career. Many companies have developed policies about employee use of social networking during company time. Make sure you follow those guidelines. Plus, always remember that what you post on any social media site may come back to haunt you.
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