PSB - Summary (Professional Etiquette)

Professional etiquette is an unwritten code of conduct regarding the interactions among the members in a business setting. When proper professional etiquette is used, all involved are able to feel more comfortable, and things tend to flow more smoothly. Professional etiquette plays a monumental role in making a lasting positive first impression.

E-mail Etiquette: Netiquette

• Have an e-mail address that is mature and professional-sounding
• Include an appropriate subject line
• Address your recipient appropriately
• Be aware of your tone
• Remove emotion from your email correspondence
• Get to the point
• Avoid emoticons, abbreviations, and fancy formatting
• Use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Include your full name
• Reply quickly
• Do not send or forward jokes, chain letters, virus hoaxes, etc.
• Take care with confidential information

Telephone Etiquette

• When you use proper telephone etiquette, you help to ensure that the person you are talking to will want a face- to-face meeting to take place
• Clearly state your first and last name to the person answering the call, and let them know the reason for your call.
• Ask if this is a good time to talk. If you know that a call will last longer than a few minutes, schedule a specific time to call.

When answering calls:

• Use a friendly tone and greeting
• Smile as you pick up the phone and say, "Hello."
• Speak clearly
• Ask permission before placing someone on speaker phone or putting them on hold.

• End calls on a pleasant note.

• Move to a quiet area before placing or receiving business or professional calls on a cell phone out of respect for others who may be nearby.

Physical Appearance:

• Dress appropriately for the situation
• Avoid wrinkled, worn, dirty, stained, or faded clothing
• Shoes should be clean, conservative, free of scuffs, and in good condition
• Jewelry should be minimal
• Grooming is important
• Use perfume or cologne with caution
• Introductions: state your first and last name
• Wear nametags on the right side of your shirt
• Keep your right hand free for shaking hands
• Conversing: use proper grammar and vocabulary
• Stick to safe topics when making small talk with professional contacts
• Good posture, head-nodding, eye contact, and smiling all convey positive messages
• Tightly crossed. arms, fidgeting, slumping, leaning on objects, and looking away from the other person all indicate something negative
• Arrive on time. Doing so will help you to make a positive impression, and will make the encounter easier for all parties involved.

Dining Etiquette Basics

• Knock before entering if you are meeting someone in his/her office. Do not sit before being invited to do so.
• Have cell phone turned off or set to silent mode before entering the meeting and do not check your phone until leaving the meeting.
• Do not pick up your menu until after your host has done so. Allow your host to order first.
• Once seated at the table, unfold your napkin and place it in your lap. If you need to use it during the meal, just bring a corner of it up from your lap and gently blot your mouth with it and return it to the table. Do not forget to fold it back up after using it.

Things to remember while eating

• Allow your host to begin eating or drinking before you do so
• Bring your food toward your mouth rather than leaning in toward the food
• Close your mouth while chewing and never speak with food in your mouth
• Never blow on your food to cool it
• Do not eat with your fingers unless the food is a traditional "finger food" such as a sandwich
• Try to eat at the same pace as the others at your table..
• Never "double dip" into shared appetizers or dishes