Professional Etiquette
Nowadays it isn’t always clear how to go about establishing yourself as an up and coming professional. What with the excess of young people making money through social media posts and brand deals, succeeding in the realm of traditional work may seem elusive.
Sometimes all you need is the right attitude, and everything else falls into place. You could be the most hardworking, by the book employee on staff, but if you don’t relate to your coworkers well or you come off the wrong way, you may be wasting your efforts. With that being said, let’s discuss some valuable tips (and taboos) for businessmen and young professionals.
Communication
Rapport – Communicating properly with coworkers, employees, and superiors can be a delicate dance. You don’t want to be too overbearing or callous, but you also want your voice to be heard and your message to resonate. When interacting in a business setting always speak up with confidence, and don’t forget to make eye contact to show that you take the conversation seriously, that you mean what you say. Additionally, knowing how to communicate over the phone is just as important as being able to engage in face-to-face conversations, perhaps even more so because the facial contributions are not there.
When it comes to communicating electronically, one hugely important thing to remember is to always double check spelling and names. After spending an hour to type out the perfect email or pitch or whatever it may be, don’t ruin it for yourself by spelling words wrong, especially names. Another thing to keep in mind is to consider when and how to set expectations of others. This may mean giving your employees or peers positive feedback along with constructive criticism, or not asking for a promotion right after you dropped the ball on something. All of these tips tie into building rapport with those you work with and for. Ultimately this benefits you because people will perceive you as an approachable, relatable professional.
Language – When typing out business related documents, avoid using acronyms, and in all professional settings avoid using slang, lingo, or vulgar language. Street verbiage might be fitting for those who work behind a bar or in construction, but around here we like to keep our language appropriate, clear, and concise.
Appearance
Attire – Wear things that not only flatter your body type, but that make sense for the job you’re doing. If you’re a woman working in an office setting, you wouldn’t want to make others uncomfortable by dressing in an overly revealing or sexual way. If you’re a man, try to avoid being the most dressed down guy there. Not everyday calls for a suit, but if you’ve worn the same wrinkly t-shirt twice this week and haven’t bought a new pair of loafers in a year, perhaps it’s time to step up your wardrobe choices.
Women in the workplace may want to play up their feminine features in a conservative way and men should do the same with their masculine features. If you’re a woman, step outside of your comfort zone and wear that stylish flats/pantsuit combo or throw on an extra accessory or two, and if you’re a man, push yourself to wear a new pattern, color or material. No matter your personal sense of style, you can’t go wrong keeping your appearance polished and put together.
Self-Expression – In the world of professional appearance, looks matter. Maybe not to those who solely work from home, but I can assure you that clients who intend to drop large amounts of money would rather not deal with a green-haired “free spirit” sporting clown-makeup. There is nothing wrong with brown, blonde, black, or red hair, so keep it natural! It’s one thing to touch up the greys and it’s another to soak your scalp in blue dye and pretend it’s professional– it isn’t.
Let’s talk tats. Though the outlook on them is constantly evolving, tattoos don’t have the best reputation in professional environments. If you for whatever reason have several tattoos – maybe you’re “artsy” and see your body as some sort of canvas– make sure to keep them covered while you’re at work. Some business environments may be more progressive than others, but until you discover what kind of environment you’re working in, keeping your body art hidden is your best bet.
As far as piercings go…Pup culture may tell you one thing, but the reality of having a “real job” is another thing. Like tattoos, the attitude toward piercings may vary from business to business, but it’s best to stay on the safe side and leave any facial, or unconventional piercings outside of the workplace.
Conduct Yourself for Success!
I worked for a company that was very relaxed in terms of their in-office policies. The office manager would walk around barefoot, vaping in people’s faces and using foul language. While she was friendly and good at her job, it was difficult at times to maintain respect and professional regard for her while she was carrying on in that manner. When it comes to business conduct, it’s always the smart choice to behave so as to respect the basic comfort and wishes of others, to remain level-headed and unemotional, and to keep your controversial opinions to yourself (unless your job entails expressing political/social views).
Sometimes observing professional etiquette requires a bit of self-control and even self-alteration. But growth does not occur without change, and deliberate change feeds into optimal growth. So remember, it’s not about what job you do, it’s about how you do the job.
