Professional Etiquette

50 Professional Etiquette Tips Every New Grad Should Know

Posted on Monday October 3, 2011by Staff Writers
It’s not always easy to transition from the college campus to a professional environment. There’s a whole new culture to embrace, rules to follow, and etiquette to learn, and if you don’t follow protocol, you might end up in an embarrassing situation. To avoid drawing unwantedattention to yourself, check out these tips that will help you navigate the new waters of life outside of college, whether you’re looking for a job, or adapting to an office environment.
JOB SEEKING

Professional etiquette begins before you even have a job. Follow these tips to make sure you’re polite and make a good impression.
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Avoidcasual words: "Dude" and "gonna" are words that don’t belong in your interview, as they don’t present you as a professional.
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Don’t forget the thank you note: In a CareerBuilder survey, 22% of employers reported they would not bother hiring someone who didn’t send a thank you note after the interview.
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Nix email blasts: Don’t email blast every job listing that’s available in your field. Instead, carefully research companies and make a strategic approach.
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Don’t forget grammar and spell check: Pay attention to grammar, and use spell check to make sure you’re projecting a professional image.
5. Respond to joboffers: It’s hard to imagine anyone turning down a job these days, but if you find that you’re not a right fit for a position, be sure to actually let the company know you can’t take it.
OFFICE BEHAVIOR

Campus life is not the same as office life. Follow these tips to make sure you’re on your best behavior in the office.
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Be on time:Whether you’re going to work or a meeting, make sure you’re punctual to show others that you take their time seriously.
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Listen to music discreetly: It may have been fine to walk around campus with your headphones turned up, but that doesn’t fly in an office when others are trying to work. Keep the noise level to a minimum.
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Pass along credit: It’s tempting to take all the credit for a job well done, but avoid the temptation and be sure to point out the accomplishments of others. You’ll look better to your coworkers and your boss.
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Be neat in the kitchen: Be careful not to leave spills or old food lying around in thekitchen for others to clean up.
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Ask before borrowing: If you really need to borrow your neighbor’s stapler or other item, don’t just snatch it. Remember to ask first, and actually bring it back.
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Pay attention when someone enters your work space: Instead of continuing to look atyour computer, stop and give that person your undivided attention.
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Don’t butt in on conversations you overhear: When working in close quarters like cubicles, be careful not to always chime in on personal conversations you may overhear.
8. Eat your lunch away from your desk: Avoid strong odors and desk germs by eating lunch in the breakroom or kitchen instead of your desk.
COMMUNICATION

Whether you’re emailing or on the phone, communication is important. Politeness in communication is even more important, so read on.
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Double check your emails: Use spell check and read over what you’ve written to make sure you’re saying what you mean without typos.
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