1. Parma Schools Adult Education Services
Business Etiquette
Parma Schools Adult Education Services

2. 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?

3. Perception = Reality Two stages: Initial Perception – immediate
Sustained Perception – over time

4. Initial Perception?

6. Sustained Perception?

7. Sustained Perceptions
“The King” Or
“The Traitor”

8. Business Etiquette Dress Greeting Resumes
Business Communication (Phone Etiquette)
/Social Media

9. 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

10. 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

12. 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.
Conservative outfit and colors (black, dark gray, navy) are safe.
Everything should be clean and well pressed.
Shop at Discount stores and Thrift stores to save money on professional attire.
What is Business Casual?

13. 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.

14. The Handshake Pumper Dead Fish Squeezer
Two-Handed (how can this be misinterpreted?)
Equal, with direct eye contact

15. Handshake Do you initiate a handshake?
Do you wait for the handshake to be initiated?

16. Introductions How do you introduce yourself?
How do you introduce yourself to a secretary?
How you introduce others to each other?

17. 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

18. Introductions Always stand up (unless you are ill or disabled)
Include information about the person when introducing

19. Punctuality
BE ON TIME!
If you are running late, call to reschedule

20. Resumes Samples can be found online
Submit WITH application, not instead of application
Bring copies to your interview

21. Business Communication
Phone Calls and Voic
Thank you notes
Cell Phones

22. 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

23. 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.

24. Phone Calls and Voicemails
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 voic
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?)

25. Phone Calls and Voicemails
Your voic
Start with an upbeat greeting (Hi, you have reached the voic 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?

26. 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?”

27. Thank you letters Send thank you letters after interviews.
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?

28. Cell Phones
How might your cell phone affect your professional perception?

29. Cell Phones 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

30. 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”

31. References
Smith Career Center, 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, retrieved 23 August, 2010.