Manners At Your Work Place

Have you interviewed for multiple jobs where you thought you did well and never received a call back? Have you ever wondered why others got promoted, while you were overlooked, even though your work was comparable to theirs? Perhaps special assignments were given to others, but not you time and time again. If any of those things mentioned has happened to you, it is time to take a look at something other than your job skills.

Whether you are looking for a job, starting a new job or you've been working at the same job for years, it's never too late to check yourself for your office etiquette. Business leaders want employees that not only make a good impression on the company to their customers, but also get along well with their co-workers and supervisors. In order to do this, you need to follow certain social etiquette guidelines with a more formal slant that you would observe in a casual relationship with your friends.

Having manners around your co-workers and supervisors can make the difference when it's time for promotions or special assignments. Also, knowing the right things to say and do can make your workday a whole lot easier.

Every office has a personality, and it is essential to learn what it is as soon as possible starting at the interview and continuing after you start working there.

Make A Good First Impression

You won't get a second chance to make a good first impression, so make it a good one. How people perceive you when they first meet you will have lasting remifications. It is much easier to maintain a good opinion, than to change a negative one.

Be On Time

Always show up for your job interviews, business appointments and work on time. Being considerate of others time is important. Not doing so can slow down business. It also creates stress for all involved and may create animosity because you have held up a project or appear to be indifferent or slacking. If you have a habit of running late, set your clock for ten or fifteen minutes earlier.

Friendliness

Being friendly doesn't mean that you have a smile plastered on your face all day, and stopping to chat with everyone, but an ounce of friendliness will open some doors to communication, as well as opportunities. It will make you approachable. Ignoring people or being grumpy might throw a wrench into a team project or give others the impression you aren’t interested in working with them, that you're not a team player.

Here are some quick and easy ways you can exercise friendliness at your work place:

Start the day with a quick greeting to those you share an elevator ride with, pass by in the halls or on your way to your desk. The person working close to you, in the next cubicle or office will appreciate a "Good Morning" or smile to start the day. If time permits, ask the others how they are.

Shake hands and introduce yourself to anyone you don’t know. Maintain a professional but friendly attitude.

Staying Connected

It is important to remember that there is a fine line between being connected and “in the loop” and getting involved in petty office gossip. It’s always a good idea to be in the know, but be careful about spreading information you are unsure of or listening to something that you suspect may not be true.

When you hear a new buzz in your office, pay attention, but don’t accept it as truth until it comes from one of the higher-ups. Office chatter often starts out as office cooler chatter filled with what-ifs and may not be true. If what you hear is something that affects you or your job, ask your supervisor if there is anything new that you need to know about. Avoid mentioning the gossip, or your boss may think you are in on it.

Never get involved in office gossip about other employees or the company. Even when you associate with coworkers on personal time, stay away from discussions that involve office gossip. You don't want something to come back to you, or worse, people labeling you as someone who starts office gossip.

Be Respectful Of Others

When working in close quarters, remember that not everyone loves the smell of strong perfume and the sound of your favorite R&B group. Other things you need to refrain from doing include humming, tapping of any kind (fingers, foot, pen/pencil, etc.), long personal phone conversations, personal conversations with other co-workers and clipping or filing your fingernails. Basically anything that deters from the work environment and is a source of distraction.

Keep your workspace orderly, neat and clean. No one appreciates working with a messy, unkept person, especially when it spills over into community space.

Clean up after yourself. After you eat, throw away your trash. Wipe of your table. Never leave food in the break room overnight. Check the refrigerator periodically to make sure that you throw away old food items you may have left and forgotten or no longer want.

Welcome New Employees

Remember what it felt like to be the newest person at the office. Smile at the new person, introduce yourself, strike up a very brief conversation, and ask him or her to join your group for lunch or suggest restaurants that are close by. Comment how you remember what it's like to be new. Offer to answer any questions that they may have.

Don't Take Credit For Someone Else's Work

Don't take credit for other people's accomplishments or ideas. That is a fast way to ruin your reputation in an office environment and destroy your credibility. When talking about a project during lunch or after work, make sure that if it comes up at the meeting, you give credit to the correct person. If a supervisor or someone you work with mistakenly thinks it is your idea, set the record straight, no matter how tempting it may be to let her continue thinking you are brilliant.

Own Up Take Responsibility

If you've made a mistake, never blame anyone else for it. This only makes matters worse and will create animosity. You are better off admitting what happened and find a way to fix it. Ask for help if you need to. People will understand that everyone makes mistakes, just try not to repeat the same one more than once.

Don't Overdo Corporate Speak.

When communicating with coworkers and supervisors, the key is to get your thoughts across in a way that can be understood. Using too much corporate talk can be confusing, and you run the risk of using it incorrectly. Speak in a way that is easy to comprehend and to the point. If you are ever in doubt about what the other person is saying, come right out and ask for clarification. This goes for voice communication as well as texts and emails.

Dress Appropriately

Every office has a dress code. Don't break it. If you do wear inappropriate attire, you may find yourself in a boss-mandated seminar about how to dress for success. Or worse, you might get passed over for a promotion or even demoted. You don't want to dress too casually as if relaxing at home, or too provocative. You want others around you to be comfortable. Dress to show respect for your company, your customers/clients, your co-workers and yourself. If in doubt, err on the conservative side.

Think Before You Speak

You don't want to spend a good deal of your time regretting, apologizing or fixing something you said but shouldn't have. People whose mouths move faster than their brains find themselves offending others and having few supporters in their pursuits. They're perceived as someone who can't be trusted. When you're at the office, you need to filter your speech. Keep your personal opinion to yourself if it doesn't benefit your work or your employer. There may be times when you're confronted with conflict, so be prepared and keep a level head so the issue doesn't escalate. Keep a positive attitude and a supportive professional demeanor whenever possible.

Be Discreet

Be friendly but don't give away too much personal information. When you enter your work place each morning, it's normal to greet your coworkers and mention something about what you did over the weekend or the previous evening. However, this doesn't mean giving away too many personal details. The people you work with don't need a play-by-play account of the argument you had with your boyfriend or girlfriend. It's none of their business and leaves you too exposed for a business environment. You don't want others to formulate an opinion about you that will hurt your chances to advance in your work latter down the road.

Personal Matters

Since humans work in the office, there is no way to get around all personal matters. Embrace them and learn to accept your differences. Office relationships can enhance your life, even when you don’t agree with the other people’s opinions.

Keep in mind that some people’s personalities will click, and they may establish a personal relationship out of the office. If you are not included, don’t feel bad. This has nothing to do with you and everything to do with their common interests, culture, temperament, or whatever else draws them together.

Before you try to sell your children's latest fundraiser at the office, find out what the company's policies are. If you're allowed to bring these things in to sell, be respectful and accept that some people won't purchase from you. Never take a "no" personally. Try to limit these activities during breaks and Lunch.

If You Are Sick, Stay Home

When you have a virus that is contagious, it's rude to take it to the office. Not only will you get less work done, you are spreading your germs that can make other people miserable. Stay home and take care of yourself so you can get back to work and be more productive.