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Career Development Denise Alexander
Good business etiquette is important in any work atmosphere. Not only does it make you more professional, but it can also improve communication, create a respectful work environment and translate into better relationships among your co-workers and clients.
As the job industry adapts to a digital world, business etiquette rules must evolve as well. Here are some modern business etiquette guidelines to remember.
Social media and digital platforms are pervasive in most people’s daily lives, so it’s not a surprise that they are influencing how people deal with each other in the workplace. It starts before you get a job – your hiring manager is likely looking at your social media platforms before you get an offer.
Once you get a job, your social media profiles are still important. Even though they are personal accounts, an employee is considered an extension of the company so it’s important that you avoid posting inappropriate content that would reflect negatively on you and possibly your employer.
For example, LinkedIn is a more business-focused platform. If you have a LinkedIn account, it’s best to publish professionally appropriate content such as career updates or industry-relevant articles. Other accounts, such as Facebook or Instagram, are more focused on social interaction and allow you to choose a private or public setting for your posts. If you have a public profile, you’ll want to be more careful about what you share, but remember – regardless of your privacy setting – to avoid inflammatory content you’ll regret later.
Also, most companies have policies on social media usage. You’ll want to limit social media scrolling, engagement and posting to break times, if at all, depending on your job.
Something as simple as remembering a person’s name can hold a lot of weight in the business world. When addressing someone by the correct title and name, you can make the conversation appear more genuine and help develop a stronger relationship with that person.
Make eye contact during an introduction. This shows that you are engaged in the conversation and listening to what others have to say. Other practices when addressing or meeting new people include:
Email has become one of the most common communication methods in the workforce and has grown even more – along with other, similar communications platforms like Slack – since companies began implementing work from home policies. Although U.S. employees spend more than a quarter of the workweek reading and sending emails, there are plenty of professionals that don’t know proper email etiquette. This can lead to mistakes others may perceive as a lack of professionalism.
Some general, but necessary guidelines to follow include:
As businesses continue to work remotely, video calls have become a popular alternative to meetings you’d normally have in the office. Whether a video conference is with a co-worker or an important client, some general rules to remember include:
A company’s dress code can establish unity and a professional work environment. Make sure you’re following company dress code policy, especially during an interview. Wearing the right attire can help make a good first impression.
If you’re not sure what to wear, a good rule of thumb is to dress one level above what is expected in the office. The three most common dress codes are:
While many people are working remotely these days, remember not to show up to a video call in lounge or workout wear. Even if you’re working remotely, it’s still important to make a good impression when talking to clients or employers.
Having a positive attitude at work can assist in boosting company culture, increasing work productivity and building client and coworker relationships. Some common tricks to demonstrate and nurture positivity in the workplace are:
Interested in pursuing a business degree? Learn more about Herzing’s business programs here.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
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