Professionalism etiquette

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4 Etiquette/Dress

IMPRESSION

MANNERS

PERCEPTION

After studying these topics, you will benefit by:

• Explaining the elements of professional dress

• Recognizing the importance of making a positive first

impression

• Expressing an understanding of workplace etiquette

• Identifying the importance of making and keeping

appointments

• Describing the impact dress can have on others’

perception of you

• Demonstrating appropriate behavior in work-related social

situations

DRESS/ETIQUETTE

• Employees represent their company

• The way you communicate, dress, and behave

both inside and outside the company

contributes to others’ perception of you and

your company

THINK ABOUT IT

Do you practice good manners on a regular

basis?

EXECUTIVE PRESENCE

• Executive presence: having the attitude of an

executive by demonstrating appropriate

workplace behavior

– Use good manners to create positive relationships

• Smiling, please, thank you

– Be prepared for the social experiences you will

face in the workplace

• Attire, protocol, social etiquette, dining, technology

INFLUENCES OF APPEARANCE

• Appearance

– The majority of first impressions are made

through your appearance

– Appearance has an impact on how you perform

at work

– Think of your appearance as a frame; it is there

only to highlight the picture

• Not just physical features, but attitude,

knowledge, and potential

INFLUENCES OF DRESS

• Dress code: a policy that addresses issues

such as required attire, uniforms, hairstyle,

undergarments, jewelry, and shoes

– Know what is acceptable

– Vary depending on the industry, work area, and

health/safety issues

– Some are vague, some specific

– Should pose no safety hazards

• Observe how your managers dress

INFLUENCES OF DRESS

• Work wardrobe: clothes primarily worn to

work and work-related functions

– Start with basic pieces and be conservative

– Items should fit properly, be comfortable, and not

wear out quickly

– Develop a style that conforms to both company

policy and your taste

INFLUENCES OF DRESS

• Basic pieces for women:

– Simple, solid, dark skirt or pantsuit

– Blazer

• Basic pieces for men:

– Dark slacks

– Jacket

– Tie

TALK IT OUT

Identify local stores where you can purchase

professional attire at a low cost

CASUAL WORKDAYS AND

SPECIAL EVENTS

• Casual workdays: days when companies

relax their dress code

– Dress appropriately for work

– Do not wear tattered, stained, or torn clothing

– Avoid shirts with sayings or graphics that may

offend others

– Dress modestly

– When visiting different geographic locations,

research appropriate attire

TALK IT OUT

Identify people in class who are wearing something appropriate for a casual workday

TIPS FROM HEAD TO TOE

• Shower daily and use deodorant

• Use perfume, lotion, or cologne sparingly

• Clothes should fit properly and be clean

and ironed, not torn and no sweat suits

• Hair should be clean, well kept, a natural

color, and professional

• Practice good dental hygiene

– Brush and floss

TIPS FROM HEAD TO TOE

• Hands and nails should be well-groomed

– Neat and conservative if polished

• Jewelry should be kept to a minimum

– Avoid large and gaudy

• Shoes should be in good condition

– No flip-flops

• No hoodies, no wearing sunglasses inside,

and earbuds should not be visible

TIPS FROM HEAD TO TOE

Women

• Shoes in good condition, not too high

• Nylons, socks free of snags

• Makeup should be minimal for day wear

– Use natural colors

• It is not acceptable to wear suggestive

clothing

– No visible cleavage, bare midriffs, or

undergarments

TIPS FROM HEAD TO TOE

Men

• Shoes polished, scuff free, match pants

• Shave and/or trim facial hair, including nose

and ear hair

• Professional pants with neutral belt

• Shirts should be tucked in

• Hats should not be worn inside buildings

except for religious purposes

TALK IT OUT

Discuss today’s fashions and trends that would or would not be appropriate for the workplace

JEWELRY, BODY PIERCING,

AND TATTOOS

• Do not wear or display anything that brings

unwanted attention

• Follow company policy

• Body piercings and body rings/jewelry may be

offensive to some individuals

• Consider the long-term consequences

– Relationships and situations change

– Consider size, color, graphic, and placement

THINK ABOUT IT

How may a tattoo or piercing affect securing a

job in your target area?

JEWELRY, BODY PIERCING,

AND TATTOOS

• If you already have body art and/or piercings, it is

recommended that you cover your tattoo with

clothing, makeup, or other methods until you are

clear on your employer’s policy regarding visible

body art

JEWELRY, BODY PIERCING,

AND TATTOOS

• Nose, lip, and/or tongue rings should not be worn

in a professional setting

• More than two earrings worn on each ear is

considered unprofessional

• Jewelry should not draw attention

– Symbols or words that could be considered offensive to

others

• Body art should not be visible at work

BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

• Etiquette: a standard of social behavior as

seen by society

• Courtesy: exercising manners, respect, and

consideration toward others

• Respect: holding someone in high regard;

putting others’ needs before your own needs

– Treat others as you want them to treat you

TALK IT OUT

Discuss ways to demonstrate courtesy in

class.

BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

Please and Thank You

• These are extremely powerful words that

can create power for you at work

• When someone does something nice for

you, say “thank you”

• Make it a habit to write a thank-you note

when someone does something for you

• Individuals will be more likely to continue

performing kind acts for you

HANDSHAKES

• A good handshake conveys

confidence

• Extend your right hand, make

eye contact and smile while

greeting

• Meet at the web and grip the

other person’s hand

• Gently squeeze and shake

hands

HANDSHAKES

• Do not squeeze too firmly

• Shake the entire hand, not just the fingers

• Do not place your hand on top of the other

person’s hand or pat the hand

• If your palms are sweaty, discreetly wipe

your palm on the side of your hip prior to

shaking

INTRODUCTIONS AND NETWORKING

• Networking: the process of meeting and

developing relationships

– A tool for collaboration

– Initiate conversation

– Focus the conversation on the other person

– Create a positive relationship

TALK IT OUT

What prevents you from initiating a conversation

with someone you do not know? What steps can

you take to overcome these barriers?

INTRODUCTIONS AND NETWORKING

• Introduce the lower-ranking person to the

higher-ranking person

Example:

“Ben, this is Rafaela McClaine, the president of our company. Rafaela, this is Ben Yu, my

next-door neighbor.”

APPOINTMENTS

• Meetings, phone, Internet

• Check regional time differences and confirm

• Be kind to the receptionist and/or administrative

assistance (gatekeeper)

• State name, purpose, desired date, and time

• Call if late or have to cancel

APPOINTMENTS

• Telephone or Internet

– Use a quiet and appropriate location

– Dress professionally

– Do not use a public location

• Face-to-face

– Arrive 5-10 minutes early, but not earlier

– Introduce yourself

– Thank the participants

DINING ETIQUETTE

• Place your napkin on your lap; if you leave the

table, place your napkin to the side of your plate

• Do not order expensive or messy foods

• Do not order alcohol unless others at your table

first order an alcoholic beverage; abstaining

from alcohol is the most desired behavior

• Do not discuss business matters until everyone

has ordered

DINING ETIQUETTE

• Utensils are set to be used in order of necessity

• Use the bread plate for bread and butter; do not

butter the entire piece of bread at one time

• Offer bread to others before taking yours

• With beverages, offer and serve others at your

table prior to serving yourself

DINING ETIQUETTE

• Begin eating only when everyone at your table

has been served; if everyone receives their meal

except you, give others at your table permission

to begin eating without you

• Do not eat your meal with your fingers unless

your main course can be eaten without utensils

• Be kind and polite to the staff and servers

• Chew with your mouth closed and do not talk

with food in your mouth

DINING ETIQUETTE

• If you accidentally burp or slurp, immediately

apologize and say “excuse me”

• When finished eating, place your knife and fork

together; blade facing in and tines up, when

resting, place fork tines facing down

• It is inappropriate to use a mobile device while

dining; if you must take a call, excuse yourself

from the table

• Pay your portion of bill, or thank the host

TALK IT OUT

Share common dining and social situations that

make you uncomfortable and identify how best

to deal with these situations

TOPIC SITUATION

Briggs

TOPIC RESPONSE:

What steps would you take to ensure you dress

and act appropriately when attending a

business conference?

DINING ETIQUETTE

• R.S.V.P. means “please respond”

• Send a reply, whether you are accepting the

invitation or sending your regrets

DINING ETIQUETTE

• When attending a social functional with other

professionals, remember:

– Refrain or limit the consumption of alcohol

– Only serve yourself a small plate of hors d’oeuvres

and move away from the food table

– Hold your hors d’oeuvres in your left hand, leaving

your right hand free to shake hands and greet

others

– Do not talk with food in your mouth

– Wear a name badge on your right shoulder

OTHER ETIQUETTE BASICS

• Have a pleasant attitude

– Please and thank you

• Knock before entering an office

• Put others first and allow others to go first

• Apologize—everyone makes mistakes

• No profanity in the workplace

• Avoid dominating a conversation—the key is

listening