Business Etiquette

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Business Etiquette

• Putting Your Best Foot Forward

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What is the purpose of etiquette?
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Topics

• General Tips
• Dress
• Making introductions
• Using the telephone
• E-mailing
• Gender issues
• Dining

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General Tips for the Workplace

• Personal business should be saved for lunch break
  or after hours (phone calls, internet use if
  allowed)
• Avoid using offensive language, gossip, or asking
  co-workers personal questions
• Grooming should be done in private
• Close your door or go to the restroom to avoid
  emotional outbursts
• Send thank you notes to individuals that have
  gone out of their way for you

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Dress

• In general
• Well-groomed hair and nails
• Clean, well-maintained clothing
• Clothes should not display undergarments or be
  too revealing
• Polished, closed-toed shoes
• Minimal jewelry, makeup, and cologne
• No excessive piercing or visible tattoos
• When in question about how to dress in a
  workplace, dress like your supervisor

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Dress for Success
Women Suit with knee-length skirt and tailored
blouse Pantsuits are more acceptable now, but
save them for after you obtain the job Keep
accessories and makeup simple
Men Two-piece suit (solid colors vs. prints or
patterns) Wear polished shoes with knee-length
socks that avoid exposing skin Tie pattern
should be simple
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Introductions

• When being introduced
• Shake hands firmly
• Stand
• When introducing others
• Introduce the most important person first
• Give a little information about people
• Use full names

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IntroductionsCommon Problem Areas

• If you forget someones name, be honest
• If your name is mispronounced, politely say the
  correct pronunciation
• If someone forgets to introduce you, politely
  introduce yourself
• Wait to use a persons first name until
  instructed to do so
• When unsure, follow the lead of others

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Telephone Etiquette

• When placing calls
• Introduce yourself and state why you are calling
• Be prepared to leave a concise message
• When receiving calls
• Introduce yourself
• Never leave anyone on hold more than one minute
• Return messages within 24 hours

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Telephone Etiquette

• Use the speakerphone sparingly and do not use it
  for checking voicemail
• Have tasteful answering messages at work and at
  home
• Turn cell phones off at meetings or meals (if it
  accidentally rings, turn it off do not answer
  it!)
• When carrying the phone, use low ring volume or
  vibrate mode
• Use a low voice when speaking on your phone in
  public
• Observe common courtesies (please and
• thank you)

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E-mail Etiquette

• Include a clear and specific subject line
• Read messages before sending
• Check spelling and grammar
• Do not curse, spam, or use ALL CAPS
• Do not forward chain letters at work
• Remember that all e-mail can be traced to the
  source
• Do not send anything you consider private
• Use BCC to preserve others privacy when
  appropriate
• Always reply within 24 hours

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Gender Issues

• Men and women should be treated the same
• Whoever gets to the door first should open it
• Both men and women should stand when meeting
  someone
• Both genders should provide a firm handshake
• Whoever invites a colleague to a business lunch
  pays for it

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Dining Etiquette

• Dont chew gum
• Keep elbows off the table
• Keep conversation polite
• Place napkin on lap as soon as seated
• Taste food before seasoning
• Pass salt and pepper together
• Dont dunk food
• Break off one piece of bread, butter it, eat it,
  and repeat
• Only order appetizers or desserts if
  others do so

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Dining Etiquette

• Wait for everyone to be served before eating
• Cut a small portion of food at a time (one or two
  bites)
• When squeezing a lemon, use other hand to shield
  others from squirting juice
• If you need to temporarily leave the table, place
  napkin on seat
• When interviewing, follow the lead of the
  employer
• Be courteous and demonstrate appreciation when
  appropriate

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Dining Etiquette Conversation Topics

• Avoid discussing politics, religion, gossip,
  anything too personal or negative
• Safe topics
• Weather
• News/current events (dont let it get into
  politics!)
• Books or movies
• Music
• Travel
• Pets
• Anything non-controversial

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Can you match the right items with their function?
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4
3
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9
10
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1
2
6

• Bread and butter plate
• Butter spreader
• Dessert Fork
• Dessert or Coffee Spoon
• Dinner Fork
• Dinner Knife

• Napkin
• Place Plate/Charger
• Salad Fork
• Salad Knife
• Soup Spoon
• Water Goblet
• Wine Glass

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Place Setting Answer Key
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4
3
8
9
10
11
5
1
2
6

• 3. Bread and butter plate
• 4. Butter spreader
• 8. Dessert Fork
• 7. Dessert or Coffee Spoon
• 2. Dinner Fork
• 9. Dinner Knife

5. Napkin 6. Place Plate/Charger 1. Salad
Fork 10. Salad Knife 11. Soup Spoon 12. Water
Goblet 13. Wine Glass
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Additional Resources

• Books in the CSEL library
• Complete Idiots Guide to Business Etiquette, The
  (Mitchell, 2000)
• Emily Posts The Etiquette Advantage in Business
  (Post Post, 1999)
• International Business Etiquette (Sabath,
  1998/1999/2000)
• Websites on etiquette
• www.emilypost.com
• www.business-person.com/etiquette/OfficeEtiquette.
  html

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Questions Comments
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Career Services and Experiential Learning
Workshops

• Business Etiquette
• Choosing or Changing Majors
• Choosing the Best Career
• Cover Letters Business Correspondence
• Curriculum Vitae
• Federal Employment
• Graduate School Planning

• How to Succeed at a Career Fair
• Internships and Cooperative Education
• Interview Techniques
• Job Search Strategies
• Introduction to On-line Job Postings and
  On-Campus Interviewing
• Portfolios (How to Prepare)
• Resumes

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Career Services and Experiential Learning Programs

• Career Planning Workshops
• Career Information
• Career Information Library
• Free Career Related Related Publications
• Alumni Mentors
• Career Counseling
• Major/Career Options
• Career Assessments
• Job Search Assistance
• Resume/Cover Letter Critique
• Mock Interviews
• Experiential Education
• Internships /Externships
• Lockheed Martin Work Experience Program

• Graduate/Professional School
• Directories and resources
• Annual Graduate, Law and Professional School Day
• CSEL Events
• 8 Annual Career Fairs
• Majors Fair
• Annual Senior Day
• Career Panels
• On-Campus Recruitment
• GOLD Connection
• Job Listings
• Resume Referral
• On-Campus Interviewing
• Company Presentations

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Career Services and Experiential Learning
Calendar of Events 2004-05

• Spring Career Expo
• January 26, 2005
• Arts Science Career Panel Series
• February 8, 2005
• College of Engineering Panel
• February 22, 2005
• Arts Science Career Panel Series
• March 8, 2005
• Majors Fair
• March 9, 2005
• Statewide Job Fair
• May 12, 2005

• Statewide Job Fair
• May 13, 2004
• Fall Career Expo
• October 5, 2004
• Graduate, Law Professional Day
• October 20, 2004
• Senior Day
• October 27, 2004
• College of Health Public Affairs Panel
• November 2, 2004
• Experiential Education Career Panel
• November 16, 2004
• Spring Internship Fair
• January 25, 2005

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Career Services Experiential Learning

• Locations/Hours
• Career Services Student Resource Center 7G
• Normal Hours of Operation Mon. Fri. (800 am -
  500 pm)
• Walk-in Service Mon. Fri. (1000 am - 400 pm)
• Experiential Learning Howard Phillips Hall,
  Ste. 208
• Normal Hours of Operation Mon. Fri. (800 am -
  500 pm)
• Walk-in Service Mon-Fri. (800 am-1200pm)
  (200pm -500pm)
• Satellite Locations
• College of Business BA2, Room 222
• Lockheed Martin Sand Lake Road
• Rosen College of Hospitality Management 9907
  Universal Blvd., Ste. 201

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The UCF Creed
Integrity, scholarship, community, creativity,
and excellence are the core values that guide our
conduct, performance, and decisions. Integrity I
will practice and defend academic and personal
honesty. Scholarship I will cherish and honor
learning as a fundamental purpose of my
membership in the UCF community. Community I
will promote an open and supportive campus
environment by respecting the rights and
contributions of every individual. Creativity I
will use my talents to enrich the human
experience. Excellence I will strive toward the
highest standards of performance in any endeavor
I undertake.
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA