General Etiquette
Social and communication skills are a large part of what most employers are looking for in candidates, and the way you present yourself shows whether or not you will be taken seriously in professional settings. Basic etiquette is simply about being respectful and is a valuable advantage in any job or internship search. Follow these guidelines for a friendly, respectful and profesisonal first impression.
- Be courteous to the people around you, regardless of the situation. Don't differtiate by position or standing within the organization. For example, if you have an on site interview, be polite and respectful towards every employee you see from the moment you walk in the door.
- Always introduce yourself and make a note of other poeple's names. Avoid interrupting a conversation, but if you must, always apologize before doing so.
- Use a firm handshake, maintain good posture and always make eye contact and smile at the people you are meeting with
- Avoid slang (words such as "like" or "whatever").
- Always dress professionally. If you are not sure what to wear, it is better to be overdressed rather than underdressed
- Turn off cell phones completely.
- Avoid speaking about overly personal or private matters.
- Arrive early or on time.
Email Etiquette
You should approach email with the same seriousness as letters. Follow usual writing guidelines as a professional courtesy. Here are some tips for email communication.
- Use complete sentences free of grammatical and spelling errors. Do not use abbreviations or text speak in an email.
- Maintain a formal and professional tone.
- Write a specific subject line. If you are submitting documents via email, include a subject like, "Jane Doe, Application Materials for Analyst Position # 12345".
- Keep email communication direct and concise.