Business Etiquette

Career and Job Placement Center

Trista Iodice, MBACarolyn Serdar, Ed.S.

May 22, 20172

Soft Skills Overview

• What are Soft Skills?• How to Dress• How to Groom• How to Accessorize• What NOT to Wear• What TO Wear• How to Prepare• How to Behave• How to Close• How to Follow-up• A Word About Social Media• The Final Word

May 22, 20173

What are “Soft Skills”?

• General skills that are developed and maintained to help you be a productive citizen and worker

• The non-verbal cues that you send and others use to form an impression of you

• Absolutely critical elements of a successful interview

May 22, 20174

~ Psychology Today, April 2013

Right or wrong, people do make assumptions based on the way we dress. In 3-5 seconds, they make judgments about our:• Confidence• Character• Income• Sociability

May 22, 20175

How to Dress

• Dress for the Position– At least: dress slacks and a pressed shirt– At most: business suit– Wear dark socks with dark pants– Skirts

• Plain• Appropriate length

• Shoes– Clean– Polished– Modest

May 22, 20176

How to Groom

• Hair– Clean– Styled– Facial hair

• Trimmed neatly• Clean shaven

• Makeup– Natural-looking– Simple– Appropriate for the

position you seek

• Nails– Clean– Well-maintained– If polished…

• Modest (preferably clear or neutral) color

• Fresh application (no chipped polish)

May 22, 20177

How to Accessorize

• Jewelry– Simple– Modest– Facial piercings: maybe

• Accessories– Handbag– Portfolio– Your Phone

• Leave it in the car• Otherwise, silence ALL notifications

May 22, 20178

What NOT to Wear

May 22, 20179

What TO Wear

May 22, 201710

How to Prepare

• Look in a Mirror– Check your teeth– Check your nose– Fix your hair– Remove lint, hair from clothes

• Superman Pose– Hold it for a few seconds to a few minutes– Remind yourself to be confident

May 22, 201711

How to Behave

• Greet the Interviewer– Shake their hand***– Make eye contact– Repeat their name (e.g. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Joe.”)

• During the Interview– Sit upright with both feet flat on the floor– Answer questions without rambling– Use a brief, silent pause rather than um, uh, hmm, etc.– Avoid using like, you know, I mean, etc.– Do not fidget– Do not avoid eye contact

May 22, 201712

How to Close

• Thank the Interviewer– Shake hands– Make eye contact– Use their name

• Ask for the Job• Ask about Timing

– “By when do you expect to make a decision?”– “May I please call you on (DAY) if I do not hear from you by

then?”– Take their business card

May 22, 201713

How to Follow-up

• Send a Thank You Message– Send it later that same day or the next day– Use email or handwritten note– Express your appreciation for their time– Ask for the job again

• Call or Email– If you have not heard by set date– Ask for an update on the process

May 22, 201714

A Word about Social Media

• Employers DO check it– Manage your settings: make your profiles private– Create an alias

• Even still, keep it respectable– You can have opinions and post them– You can have fun and post it– Avoid anything that might jeopardize your hire/job

• Create a LinkedIn profile

May 22, 201715

The Final Word

May 22, 201716

Career Services Specialists

• Carolyn Serdar– cserdar@clcillinois.edu– (847) 543-2058

• Trista Iodice– tiodice@clcillinois.edu– (847) 543-2263

THANK YOUCAREER AND JOB PLACEMENT CENTER

College of Lake County19351 W. Washington St., B118

Grayslake, IL

(847) 543‐2059

Office Hours: Monday – Thursday  8:00a.m. – 6:00p.m.

Friday  8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Websites:www.clcillinois.edu/cjpcwww.clcillinois.edu/studentjobswww.collegecentral.com/clcillinois