4 Etiquette Mistakes NOT to Make at Your New Job

4 Etiquette Mistakes NOT to Make at Your New Job From the first day at your new job, your boss and coworkers will immediately look for signs that they made the right decision in hiring you. Theyll start to gauge how well you fit into the office and how well you interact with other employees. Are you outgoing and friendly? Are you confident and decisive? Do you represent the company in a professional manner? Unless youve had some type of business etiquette training, you may not realise how important these soft skills are for your future inside the company. I dont want you to make the wrong impression at your new job, so Im going to share with you a list of 4 business etiquette mistakes that you should avoid if you want to impress at work: 1) Wearing revealing or unprofessional clothing: Skirts that are too short, tops that are too low, and clothing that is dirty, torn or just old-looking wont help you to give a positive impression in the office. Everything you wear to work needs to say that youre serious about your job, and this includes your shoes! Before you start your new job, go through your wardrobe and make sure you have one weeks worth of suitable clothing for the office. Try your shirts on to make sure theyre not too tight or too low. Try your suit on to make sure that you can move comfortably and confidently in it. And if your shoes are scuffed or the heels are worn, take them to the cobbler for a repair. Remember: your outfit is the very first thing others will notice about you and it creates a filter through which they will make opinions about you. You have control over this filter. What do you want it to say? RELATED: The 5 WORST Things to Wear in a Job Interview 2) Using insecure body language: Your body language is the second filter through which others will form an opinion about you. If youre used to slouching, not looking others in the eye, or squeezing to the side of the elevator so you dont take up too much space, your coworkers and boss probably wont see you as somebody who is confident and self-assured. They may question your ability to take on larger assignments or client meetings. In the professional world, confidence is key. Its the one quality that will get you from “where you are now” to “where you want to be”. And although there are a range of body language gestures you can focus on, it really does all start with your posture. Keep your shoulders back, lift your ribcage up and raise the level of your gaze just a little. 3) Not speaking up in meetings: The meeting room is your chance to shine. Its the perfect opportunity to showcase your expertise, your capability and your confidence. Many shy away from speaking up at the weekly business meeting. But from my experience, those who dont speak up, dont look like theyre part of a team. Talk about the projects youve most recently been working on, or the client meetings youve been taking. And if you dont have a new project to talk about, dont worry. I want to share with you a fabulous solution that is sure to make you stand out: take to the meeting a thought-provoking article thats related to your industry and tell your coworkers about it. The fact that youve taken an extra step and have found industry-related information for them and have the confidence to talk about it will really make you look proactive. READ MORE: How to Not Suck at Meetings 4) Avoiding networking events: Avoiding networking events can be really tempting, especially for those who are more introverted. But attending networking events is so important for your career. It gives you a chance to be present, and to get to know others in your industry. As a business etiquette expert, Ive found the main reason people dont like going to networking events is because they dont know who to talk to. So I want to share with you my strategy for choosing the right group to talk to at a networking event: look for a group of three or more people who display open body language. Are their feet and shoulders pointed directly to the centre of the group or are they angled outward inviting others to join? Is there a gap in between people where you can break into the group easier? Once youve mastered this strategy for choosing the right group to talk with, networking events will no longer be daunting. READ MORE: 3 Smart Networking Strategies To Use at Your Next Event Author:  Kara Ronin is an international business etiquette expert and founder of executive-impressions.com.  Drawing from 10 years of living an international life, she started the Executive Impressions blog to guide, inspire, and elevate ambitious professionals and entrepreneurs toward an international mindset and an amazing career. Connect with Kara on Twitter @execimpressions.

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Proper E-mail Use Critical to Career Success

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese Proper E-mail Use Critical to Career Success Bill Lampton, Ph.D., president of Championship Communication, has served as a source for me many times when it comes to understanding how we can better communicate with one another at work. Recently, I asked him to discuss his newest efforts to teach us all how to be better e-mail communicators.It's obvious that e-mail is here to stay, yet you say few companies really educate workers about how and why to use it. Is that the only reason that e-mail has gotten so out of control?No, there are other reasons. We cant leave the training up to companies alone. Just as parents need to define appropriate etiquette for dining and dating, they should tell their children that their e-mail habits create immediate impressions, too. Then parents can educate them specifically about what to avoid and what to do. Likewise, schools including colleges and universities should incorporate e-mail training into their courses.Communication consultants carry a responsibility in this arena as well. For exam ple, when I direct my all-day seminar on Business Writing That Works, I devote the last hour to e-mail guidelines. Usually this segment becomes the liveliest and most beneficial part of the day.Fortunately, newspaper columnists including you write about e-mail protocol regularly. Youll reach people missed by structured training sessions.You give us rules for using e-mail such as making sure you use proper grammar and spelling, never writing an e-mail when you're angry and don't try to be funny. But does it really matter if our e-mails don't follow these rules? Why?Yes, because failing to follow these standards will prevent us from: making a favorable impression becoming top of mind for raises and promotions selling to top-caliber customers reducing workplace confusion avoiding preventable conflicts maintaining morale during special challenges, like downsizing, when clarityand conveying the right mood are essential enjoying the level of credibility we aspire to responding satisfact orily to disgruntled customersOK, now tell us what is your most personal pet peeve with e-mails.My decision on that is easy. Every day, I become impatient with e-mail overkill. Just as blabbermouths annoy me with their spoken waterfall of words, e-mailerswho dont know when to stop get on my nerves.For example, lets say someone e-mails you, Anita, commending you for an article you wrote. Courteously, you reply. However, you didnt mean to initiate daily correspondence. Next thing you know, youre bombarded with a barrage of jokes (most of which you have seen before), personal histories, and questions about your family, hobbies, and more. Genuine professionals need to remember that less is more ine-mailing. Consider: We have access to someones mailing address, yet we dont send three, four, or five letters daily. We should use the same good judgment when we turn to the computer.I have observed that the same people who used to flood our in-baskets with reams of paper memoranda now blitz o ur screens with repetitive e-mails. They tempt me to respond, I understood you the first time.Are there instances where e-mail should never be used? Definitely: When the topic is confidential (salary, grievances, reprimands) When only a face-to-face conversation can resolve tensions When you want to assure that you convey both content and intent accurately When its time for you to become more visible as a caring supervisor When the intended recipient works in the adjoining cubicle(An exception: When both of you need a written record of thecommunication.)Finally, what's the best way to sign off on an e-mail?Sign off with a word or phrase that conveys friendliness withoutsounding flippant.Avoid, except with very close friends or family: Cheers CYA (Internet slang for See you) and similar e-mail shorthand Humor You da best, you da most Cordially or I remain yours sincerely and other obsolete terms Warmly, Your greatest admirer and other expressions that could becomemisinterpreted as r omantic or at least flirty Any signoff that includes an exclamation pointSelect a close thats business-like yet not gushy Best My best All the best Best regards Sincerelydel.icio.us

Constant Career Planning

Constant Career Planning Rita McGrath argues in her book The End of Competitive Advantage that neither businesses nor workers can stand still and expect to thrive in the 21st century economy. McGrath, who is a professor at Columbia Business School, says that what she calls “transient advantage” constantly innovating and trying to determine which skills will be most valuable nextâ€"is what will make you successful over time in your career. McGrath provides a simple assessment in her book to help you figure out if you have transient advantage. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'OpkUuIi6Tutg5LFAAL28Iw',sig:'3i8QfPOagu05c4P0BVrrmVeLk5w6sU11yCC8aVG1rJc=',w:'480px',h:'355px',items:'90285062',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Answer yes or no to the following: If my current employer let me go, it would be relatively easy to find a similar role in another organization for equivalent compensation. If I lost my job today, I am well prepared and know immediately what I would do next. I’ve worked in some meaningful capacity (employment, consulting, volunteering, partnering) with at least five different organizations within the last two years. I’ve learned a meaningful new skill that I didn’t have before in the last two years, whether it is work related or not. I’ve attended a course or training program within the last two years, either in person or virtually. I could name, off the top of my head, at least ten people who would be good leads for new opportunities. I actively engage with at least two professional or personal networks. I have enough resources (savings or other) that I could take the time to retrain, work for a smaller salary, or volunteer in order to get access to a new opportunity. I can make income from a variety of activities, not just my salary. I am able to relocate or travel to find new opportunities. How did you do? What we know about the last recession was that many people with great skills got caught flat footed. If they were comfortable in their current position, they simply weren’t thinking about what might be next. They assumed that the status quo would go on forever â€" even when logic was clearly not on their side. Every smart careerist has two strategies: a reactive one, for when things change, and a proactive one that anticipates change and plans for it. Here are some events that may trigger a change in your career: A merger or acquisition A change in management: promotions or departures in top management Changes in team structure A significant change in process, such as the introduction of a new system or software Most of the time, your manager or team members will alert you to what these changes (and others) may mean for your position or workload. But not always. You should develop a keen sense of what’s happening in your division or your company. Do managers seem more stressed than usual? Are there more closed door meetings than normal? Are you suddenly being asked to report different kinds of results, itemize projects, or take on new tasks? Keeping your head down and working hard may not be the best survival strategy.

Cheers to Developing Your EVP

Cheers to Developing Your EVP While we dont condone drinking alcohol while youre working especially if driving or operating machinery, theres nothing better than enjoying a cold beer after a hard day at work. If youve ever wanted to know how a beer company attracts its talent, apart from people who obviously love beer, well this week weve been speaking to a company from Camden Town, North London, who can tell us that and more. Claire Anderson is Head of People at Camden Town Brewery and she tells us how the company has been using the citys history and its culture and found they have had a significant influence on the way they do Employer Branding and EVP. Have a listen to the episode below, keep reading for a summary and be sure to subscribe to the  Employer Branding Podcast. Listen on  Apple Podcasts,  Spotify,  Stitcher  or  Soundcloud. In this episode you’ll learn: • Why you dont have to love beer to work for a brewery • What their biggest challenges are when it comes to recruiting staff for an alcohol-based company • Why they have to constantly look outside of the box • Passion is key when it comes to working in a brewery • All about Do the right thing and what it means You can connect with Claire here.

Resume Writing Service Offers Excellent Resume Help

Resume Writing Service Offers Excellent Resume HelpIf you're looking for a better, more comprehensive approach to resume writing Lakeview is a great place to start. I found the Lakeview Writing Service to be extremely helpful in my job search. You can download an online resume from their website which I strongly recommend for a fresh approach to resume writing.Some of the aspects of resume writing I appreciated about the writing service was how they took the work out of the process. I would go to my computer and find the most pertinent information on the job market. After that I could quickly produce a resume.Now I'm no professional writer, but I'm sure my resume isn't going to look like yours unless you have extensive experience in this area. This is why I recommend getting help from a resume writing service. You get a professional resume written for you and the writing service takes the workload off your shoulders.A good resume will tell the reader why you are the best candidate fo r the position. It's imperative that you don't come across as a hired gun in the room, because people won't like it if that's the case. In a writing service, you're given tips and tricks to write a great resume.The companies that provide this service will teach you how to write a resume and cover letter and guide you through the whole process. With my resume, I was able to improve upon my skills with a writing service which was invaluable. My resume had a great impact on my chances of getting the job I wanted.In conclusion, Lakeview Writing Service is an excellent option for your resume writing needs. They will allow you to present your skills in an informative manner and help you present yourself in a positive light. The attention to detail they bring is a huge plus.When you're ready to present your resume and cover letter, the writing service is the way to go. They will be able to produce the resume you want in a timely manner. Their level of professionalism is second to none.I hi ghly recommend using the services of Lakeview Writing Service when you're seeking resume writing services. They can help you in a variety of ways and they also offer free resume templates to give you a great starting point.