So, now that you have managed to bag that much sought after job and are all ready to attend your first day at work but you still have some doubts and you are feeling a bit unnerved. There are a few things about corporate etiquette that will make the way easier to trod, if you are well versed with them.
To begin with you must be groomed to the best of your ability if you want to make that very important first impression with the rest of the people you will be working with. You are probably anxious about the way you wear your tie. Does it rest over the belt or just above it? Do you engage someone in conversation and drop a hint of how you got in? Do you have to let anybody know at all? These are niggling thoughts that will have you lose sleep the night before.
So take a break from tension and do something to make yourself fit in a bit more. You should do some investigation and find out how the rest of the people at the new place dress. Do they wear half sleeved shirts with ties and can you wear sandals to work? Does the new set-up allow t-shirts and casual wear or do they have a special casual day to wear this attire? These are just a few questions that will get you to relax a bit.
When you finally have your answers you must inspect your wardrobe and add the kind of clothes you will need for your official days. If you decide that you need to wear a tie every day you will need at least three ties in your wardrobe. When you go shopping for ties you must keep in mind that Mickey Mouse ties are not official ties. Do keep the kind of shirts you have in mind before splurging on ties that will not match up.
Your shirts should include a few different colored shirts and at least two white shirts. Trousers should include a grey pair and one tan. A few months down the line you will be able to add a few more sets of clothing to your wardrobe and you will do just fine because you will have an idea of what the dressing trend at the office is and where it is going.
Some other things you need to know are as follows:
Never offer your hand to a lady first. Wait for her to offer hers when you are being introduced. While entering a room and there is a lady with you or entering at the same time open the door for her first. Never ask a lady her name, let her volunteer it, but go ahead and let her know yours. Do not make conversation for the first few days; you will have plenty of time to do so a week down the line.
Desist from speaking in your mother tongue when you meet a country cousin this especially important if there are others in the room who do not understand your language. Pay attention and try to catch any nuances being spoken and how it is being applied. Office language is a big barrier and you need to adapt to it if you want to fit in. Hon these skills and you will find that you are pretty comfortable at your new place of work.
A handshake is more than just a greeting. It is also a message about your personality and confidence level. In business, a handshake is an important tool in making the right first impression.
While the art of handshaking does vary within cultures, in the United States the “rules” are pretty universal.
1. Begin With an Oral Introduction of Yourself
Before extending your hand, introduce yourself. Extending your hand should be part of an introduction, not a replacement for using your voice. Extending your hand without a voice greeting may make you appear nervous or overly aggressive.
Sponsored Links
2. Pump Your Hand Only 2-3 Times
A business handshake should be brief and to the point. Consider a handshake a short “sound bite” greeting, not a lengthy engagement. Holding on for more than three or four seconds can make other people feel uncomfortable.
3. Shake From Your Elbow
If you shake from the shoulder, using your upper arm instead of just your forearm, you risk jolting your handshake partner. The idea is to connect, not be overbearing.
4. Do Not Use a Forceful Grip
A handshake should be a friendly or respectful gesture, not a show of physical strength. An uncomfortable handshake is never a pleasant experience for anyone. Imagine you are opening a door handle and use about the same level of grip in your handshake.
5. Avoid Offering a “Fish Hand”
A limp hand is never a good idea when it comes to a business handshake. Do return the grip, but do not get into a power struggle, even if the other person squeezes too hard.
6. Forget “Lady Fingers”
This is not a Southern Cotillion, this is business. Offering only your fingers to shake may be appropriate in some social settings, but in business settings you are an equal, not a “lady.” Extend your entire hand, and be sure to grasp using your entire hand as well.
7. One Hand is Better than Two
Avoid the urge to handshake with two hands. It is always better in business introductions to use only one hand – your right hand – for the shake. The use of two hands with strangers is seen as intrusive, and too personal. In fact, a two-handed shake is called the “politician’s shake,” because it appears artificially friendly when used on people you barely know.
8. Shaking a Sweaty Hand
If you shake hands with someone who has sweaty palms, do not immediately wipe your hands on your clothing, handkerchief, or tissue. This will further embarrass the other person, who is probably already aware they have sweaty hands. You can discretely wipe them on something after you are out of site, and wash them later.
Sponsored Links
9. Ending a Handshake
End the handshake after 3-4 seconds, or 2-3 pumps. In order to avoid creating an awkward moment, your shake should end before the oral introduction exchange does. Without conversation taking place during the entire handshake, it becomes too intimate, and can feel more like hand holding.
10. Covering Your Mistakes
Even if you make a mistake, do not panic. There are many ways to save the moment. If you are worried that your handshake did not convey the right message about yourself, simply change the focus of the moment by offering a quick compliment or asking the other person a question.
No comments:
Post a Comment