By Preeteesh Peetabh Singh
Dialog Reporter
“You are hired!”
Congratulations, you are new on the job and looking to make an impression. That is a great attitude to have but it isn’t enough. If you want to keep that job, keep a few things in mind next time you enter the office.
Conducting yourself in a professional manner is vital. You might be sent packing in a hurry if you screw up this part. Here are some of the most common bloopers at workplace
Daniela Mastragostino, the founder of Nove Image Consulting, recently held a workshop with George Brown students and offered some crucial tips.
Image: It has been universally accepted that visual language communicates more powerfully than verbal language. First impressions are often based on how you look. Don’t expect your boss to accept the tattoo on your neck or a pierced eyebrow without wincing. It’s best to keep them under wraps in a business setting.
Revealing or inappropriate dress is a common blunder which people make. Deep cut tops and printed shirts with rude slogans are a big no-no. Mastragostino said “It’s amazing how many interviewers have given me this feedback that candidates wear inappropriate clothes which attracts unwanted attention on the clothes and not on the person. It’s a big turn off.
Weak handshakes, poor punctuality, and a lack of a business card can make your personality seem timid. It reveals no confidence, no commitment and lack of conviction. Scribbling your name on a napkin is just not done in a professional environment.
Follow the dress code and be aware of what is allowed – it depends from one workplace to another. Casual Friday is not a Halloween party; you are still working dress appropriately. Build up confidence by making eye contact and offering firm handshakes that are less than three seconds long. Offer your full name instead of your twitter handle and get into the habit of exchanging business cards and not Facebook friend requests.
Behavior: Unnecessary chatting/texting/surfing on that smart phone, poor eating habits, lack of respect of a co-worker’s personal space, swearing to make yourself heard or getting intimate with a co-worker are some of the behavioral mistakes which people often commit.
Most phone calls are unnecessary, period. They can be avoided. If you really have to take the call, speak quietly or excuse yourself. Otherwise voicemail should do the trick. Do not speak with your mouth full while eating and chew discreetly. Other than that, give space and respect to co-workers and interact from a distance. Don’t be too touchy or pushy.
Conversation: The way you converse with others at office is vital for your credibility. Don’t indulge in taboo topics, gossip, and office politics. Bosses like employees who are willing to take initiative and responsibility. So do not let them guide you everything step by step, in short don’t ask too many foolish questions.
Discussing personal matters, religion or sex is off limits in a workplace. It might end you up in trouble with possible harassment charges. Inappropriate office jokes are not acceptable, think before you speak. Remember that you are at work not with your buddies.
Finally, try to be aware of the working culture around you and adapt to it, taking cues from co-workers around you. These common etiquettes will take to a long way in the professional world.
