Professional Image & Etiquette

1. Professional Image& Etiquette Instructions The following is a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation. It is not required that you have this program installed on your computer. To navigate from screen to screen, click your mouse OR use the scroll bar of your browser. If you need to reverse, right-click your mouse and select the “Reverse” option OR use the scroll bar of your browser.

2. Self - Presentation • A word about Culture • The way you dress • The way you communicate • Behavior and other office rules

3. It’s All About Culture • Etiquette is culture specific • Work Culture is different from School Culture • Businesses focus on common goal vs. individual goals • You will work with people of different ages and backgrounds • Not all company cultures are alike

4. Professional Dress Dress for the job you want not the job you have Levels of Dress • Business Tailored • Business Casual • Casual

5. Business Tailored Style Key element: Suit

6. Business Casual Style Still neat and clean • For men • Khakis or dress pants • Button down shirts or polo shirts • Casual shoes • Sweaters and vests • For Women • Khakis or dress pants • Jean or corduroy skirts • More casual sweaters

7. Casual Style May be OK in some settings

8. Don’ts for Men • Forget to shave • Wear too much jewelry • Forget to tuck in your shirt • Baggy pants/cargo pants • Extreme hairstyles or unnatural hair colors (i.e. green, blue, pink) • Hats indoors

9. Don’ts For Women • Really short skirts • Showing too much skin • Sandals are OK but not flip flops • Lingerie on the outside • Spaghetti straps • Really “young” looks • Extreme hairstyles or unnatural hair colors (i.e. green, blue, pink)

10. Communication • Spoken • In person • On the phone • In writing • Email • Other written documents • Avoiding CLM’s (Career Limiting Moves!)

11. Spoken Communication Interpersonal conversation • Start out speaking formally • Do not SWEAR • Do not spread office gossip • Be careful about saying anything negative • Watch your co-workers – follow their lead

12. Phone Etiquette • Speaker phones • Tell people before you put them on speaker • Mute your phone while others are presenting information • Voice mail • This is the company’s message system not yours. • A professional message • Leaving a voice-message • State your name clearly. • Keep the message brief – for longer topics use email • Repeat your name and number at the end

13. Written Communication • Proof read it!!! • No typos • Correct grammar, no slang • Business jargon is OK, however • Be careful what you say • You don’t know who will read it • You don’t know where it will go

14. Don’t be cute Acronyms - LOL TTFN Emoticons ;-) 8-} >8-0 Do not use text message talk Don’t use lots of !!!!! Don’t mark everything urgent Don’t reply all unless you REALLY mean to. Do proof read it before you send Do include a subject line – otherwise it could be deleted Do add the email address last – to avoid accidentally sending it too soon. Do use proper capitalization and punctuation Email is not Always Casual* *Getting from College to Career, Lindsay Pollak, Harper Collins 2007

15. Behavior • Greetings • Names: Use formal titles at first • Handshakes: Should be firm • Hygiene is important • Your desk and office space • You will be judged by your calendar and wall art • Find out what is allowed and who is allowed to hang them up

16. Using Technology The technology does not belong to you • The use of it is for business only • The company can … • Read ALL of your email • Block certain websites • Track your web browsing history • Don’t forward chain letters • Don’t browse inappropriate sites • Don’t use company resources for personal reasons

17. Other company rules you need to learn • How and when can you spend company money • Business dinners? • Books and professional dues? • Office supplies? • Travel • Which airlines and hotels are allowed? • How loose are expense reports? • Work schedule • What are the “real” work hours? • Do you need to plan vacation time ahead?

18. How Can You Know All This Stuff!! You can’t – so relax • No one expects you to get it all right the first time • No one expects you to “just know” • How do you learn • Watch your coworkers • Ask secretaries • Ask your manager • Get a mentor • If you make a mistake – apologize and move on

19. Being Yourself at Work • Being part of any “group” is a compromise • Companies treasure their images or brand • Brand equity = customer loyalty = $$$$$ • As an employee you are part of the Brand • A well understood culture gives us guidance on how to handle situations • A roadmap for success • An expectation of how people will treat you

20. You Have a Choice • Do you want to look like a native or a tourist? • Do you want to be a success or a rebel? • Look for a culture that you would feel comfortable with • Start conservatively until you know the culture • Use your unique personality to stand out in positive ways • Don’t expect to change the culture to suit you – because you can’t, unless you are the boss

21. Always Remember the Golden Rule! In Business…… Whoever has the GOLD makes the Rules!

22. Thanks For Attending Questions? Contact UAlbany Career Services For more assistance Phone: 437-4900 Email: career@uamail.albany.edu Hours: M- F from 9 AM – 5 PM