Internship `Business Etiquette Tips

Whether you work as a receptionist greeting clients, in the back office stuffing envelopes, or assisting the CEO of a Fortune 50 company, look like you mean business.

Rule of thumb -  Dress two levels above your current position.

1) Make a good first impression by shaking hands with everyone you meet. Technique? Two quick arm pumps while making firm, web-to-web contact. 

2) Connect with people by making eye contact 40% - 60% of the time in between the eye brows. Never look below the mouth; it’s too personal. 

3) Avoid cell phone rudeness. Keep your smartphone on vibrate or a low ring tone and use your library voice when around co-workers.  

4) Don’t surf the net from nine-to-five. Nothing earns the ire of VPs more than an employee who shops for bargains on net-a-porter or plays solitaire on company time. 

5) Nail your dining etiquette skills. If you’re lucky enough to be invited out for lunch or dinner with your boss or office mates, bone up on your dining skills: Remember B-M-W (bread, meal, water) is the standard place setting; hold your soup spoon like a pencil; keep all personal items off the dining table; don’t order messy food like spaghetti and, if in doubt, take your cue from your host. 

6) Virtual interns take note: 21st Century e-communication is no different than 20th Century corporate communication. When working remotely, avoid humour and emoticons which don’t translate well online; use spell check; check for grammatical errors; remember that people are busy receiving hundreds of e-mails a day. Don’t cc everyone in the office.

7) Whether you work as a receptionist greeting clients, in the back office stuffing envelopes, or assisting the CEO of a Fortune 50 company, look like you mean business. Rule of thumb? Dress two levels above your current position. 

Source: Reuters