1. Be On time Everyday – Make it a point to reach office on time everyday. Set an example for other late comers.
2. Dress Appropriately – While getting dressed for office, look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself if you can go to a party in these clothes after work. If your answer is NO, then rest assured that you are dressed appropriately for work. Always remember to abide by the professional office dress code.
3. Stay Away From Gossip – Most of us believe that it is okay to gossip about each and every colleague in the office. However, remember that there is no place for gossip mongers in a professional work environment. Even if you are habituated, refrain from gossiping.
4. Respect One Another – Learn to respect your seniors and colleagues. Your good behavior can take you a long way.
5. Do not disturb others – You must have team spirit if you want to be successful in your work. Avoid speaking loudly, speaking out of turn or talking too much. If you want to be heard, you must be ready to let others speak as well.
From India, Vashi
2. Dress Appropriately – While getting dressed for office, look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself if you can go to a party in these clothes after work. If your answer is NO, then rest assured that you are dressed appropriately for work. Always remember to abide by the professional office dress code.
3. Stay Away From Gossip – Most of us believe that it is okay to gossip about each and every colleague in the office. However, remember that there is no place for gossip mongers in a professional work environment. Even if you are habituated, refrain from gossiping.
4. Respect One Another – Learn to respect your seniors and colleagues. Your good behavior can take you a long way.
5. Do not disturb others – You must have team spirit if you want to be successful in your work. Avoid speaking loudly, speaking out of turn or talking too much. If you want to be heard, you must be ready to let others speak as well.
From India, Vashi
have some more on the Etiquetes:
Business Etiquette
Powerful First Impression
Make your first 10 words count: “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me”, “It’s a pleasure to
finally meet you Mr. X”, “Denise thank you for your interest in getting together”, “Juan, thank you for
suggesting we meet today”, “It’s great seeing you again”
Tune into others: Making eye contact, always wear a smile
Your expressions demonstrate the confidence you have in yourself
Be vibrant, be confident and people will respond positively
Walk with a purpose
Put some bounce into your step.
Move with vigor and vitality
Most of us enjoy being around high-energy people
Be Impeccably Groomed
Keep your hair neat and in a fashion that flatters the shape of your face
Wear jewelry appropriately to the event and situation
Shoes should be well maintained
MEN: Use the one finger test when buying shirts. Make sure a shirt fits properly by placing your index
finger between the collar and your neck. If there is enough room to slip your finger comfortable into the
space, you are not only assured of an excellent fit, you would also feel less compelled to unbutton the top
button
MEN: Know that most women like to see a little leg, but not when you are wearing trousers. Wear socks
that cover your calves when seated.
WOMEN: should be aware of poor impression made by hosiery with runners. Always keep an extra pair
of stockings with you when going to an important event
Business Greetings and Introductions
Stand Up
Make eye contact
Smile
Say your name
Shake hands
MEN:
-Don’t wait for a woman to initiate a handshake
-Always offer a woman your full hand in a handshake. Forget the business of shaking fingers.
-Avoid my hand over your hand handshake as this could be interpreted as a subtle form of oneupmanship
WOMEN
-Always offer a complete and firm handshake
Shake hands with customers and clients, even when you meet them outside the work place
-Avoid wearing an oversized ring on the right hand it can hinder others from giving you a firm
handshake
Never stay behind the desk when meeting or greeting someone. When shaking hands, the only
thing that should be between the two of you is space
-Shake hands at both the beginning and at the end of a meeting
Interviews
Resumes
A well constructed and designed resume plus an effective cover letter is important. You will be selling
yourself, your qualifications and experiences.
Like the 15 second 1st impression, your goal is to create material that will encourage the reader to finish
all of your information on the resume
Learn as much as possible about the position you are applying for, the company’s missions and goals
Summary group at the beginning of a resume will attract the readers interest
The layout of your resume is very important; it needs to be professional in appearance with correct
grammar and spelling. Use “bolding” and “italics” sparingly. Visual readability is enhanced through
neat margins, adequate white space, and indenting to highlight text.
Resume length should only be one page unless you have 10+ years of experience.
A sparkling GPA and list of extracurricular achievements will usually earn you a shot at an interview
When the economy is sluggish and companies are hiring a fewer new employees you need to know how
to make a positive first impression. Knowing the basic rules of interviewing etiquette will help you.
Your ability to display proper social skills is critical.
The Interview
Be prepared. Know your resume and be prepared to talk about every piece of it.
Arrive 10 – 15 minutes early
If possible find out where it is before hand
Sit up straight and lean forward slightly to indicate interest
Be comfortable wit h pauses. You’ll have a definite advantage if you know how to use pauses wisely.
Don’t be afraid to use your humorous side when appropriate
Speak clearly and loudly enough to be heard
Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, eye contact and a smile and use his/her name.
Carry your briefcase or purse on your left hand.
Be seated after you’ve been asked to sit in an indicated chair.
Avoid starting the small talks
Don’t be afraid to ask the interviewer to repeat the question if you don’t understand it.
Never use first names unless you have a friendly and long standing relationship with the interviewer or
he/she asks you to be addressed by the first name
When interview is over thank interviewer for the time and make a positive statement about the process
Rise when the interviewer does
Extend your hand and call the person by name
It is appropriate to ask when to call or when will a decision be reached
A brief “handwritten” note should be sent following the interview
Introductions
Basic Rule: Mention the most important person first (based on rank, not on gender)
“Mr./Ms Greater authority, may I present Mr./Ms Lesser Authority”
However there is an exception to this rule your client outranks higher authority in your
company, in this case you mention your client first.
For a proper introduction, say “May I introduce to you…..” and not “May I introduce you to….”
“Juan Rodriguez, I would like to introduce Maria Lopez, our CEO”
When introducing people of equal rank, you might want to give preference to older people but it
certainly isn’t necessary.
Introduce a man to a woman of equal rank
Names are not enough
Supplying a nugget of information along with the name and title can serve as a conversation starter and
make both parties more comfortable. Ex. “Julio is the auditor looking into the Enron matter…” or “
Margarita is a lawyer with the Goya Corporation…”
Introducing yourself
Sometimes good manners require us to introduce ourselves
-When you find yourself among persons you don’t know at a business or social gathering
-When the person who was expected to make the introduction fails to do so or overlooks you
-When you are seated next to someone at a meal
-When it becomes obvious that someone you have met previously is having trouble placing you say
something like this: “ hello, I’m Rafael Diaz. We met last spring at the web page workshop in
Fresno”
Remembering and Forgetting Names
-When you meet a person for the first time listen with intention of recording the name into your
personal mental computer
-Repeat the name aloud during the introduction. Use it again in the next couple of sentences
-If the name is difficult to understand, ask that it be repeated. If it is an unusual name ask the origin;
comment in what a pretty or strong name it is
-If the name sounds hard to spell, ask for the correct spelling
-Mentally link the name to an object that will remind you of the name you want to remember
-When forgetting a name, graciously ask for it with a smile and say something like “please tell me
your name. I seem to have a mental vapor lock.”
-If you remember anything about the person, this is a mitigating circumstance and should be used
like “I remember your interesting remarks at the software seminar”
Her Professional Image
SUITS
You can’t go wrong with high quality suits in Navy, Gray, Taupe, and Black tones.
Bright Colors have a different function. They add fashion and flare
Skirts length – should not be shorter than slightly above the knee and fall no lower than just below mid
calf.
Although mini-skirts might be in fashion they have no place in a professional environment
FABRICS
-Fabric that test well include 100% wool, wool blends, and silks
-Linen suits are not recommended because they wrinkle easily and don’t look crisp at the end of
the day.
BLOUSES
As with suits solid colors are the wisest wardrobe investment for blouses. While most blouse colors test
well, choose colors that benefit the particular suit you are wearing. Ex: When wearing a light color suit,
add an authorities look with a dark or bright color blouse.
Always select blouses of high quality, colors and styles that are complimentary to you.
HOSIERY
Image consultants have found that woman who wear hosiery in their own skin tone portray a more
conservative image than those who wear darker or color stockings.
Don’t forget to carry an extra pair of stockings with you at all times in case you get a run.
SHOES
Heels should measure 2 – 3” in height
Invest in leather rather than synthetic materials; you will convey a more distinguished image
Recommended colors: navy, black, cordovan, and taupe
HANDBAGS, BRIEFCASES, AND PORTAFOLIOS
It’s always advisable to invest in leather accessories. Choose classic rather than trendy items
As with shoes, follow the same recommended colors
It is appropriate to carry both a purse and a briefcase as long as a purse is a shoulder bag that is compact
in appearance.
You should only carry necessary items (wallet, hairbrush, basic cosmetics, etc). You don’t want to
accidentally drop open your purse and your life history could be revealed.
JEWLERY
Choose jewelry that enhances your wardrobe for example, when wearing a suit or a dress with pearlized
buttons, wear pearl earrings. Or when wearing a gold tone necklace with a black suit, wear gold
earrings with a black stone.
Earrings: Don’t let dangling earrings drag you down the corporate ladder. Chandeliers are great in
dining rooms and in social events, but they definitely don’t belong in an office setting. As with other
pieces of jewelry your safest bet is to choose those pieces that are simple yet elegant.
Watches: Besides being functional the watch you wear is a valuable accessory item that is why it’s wise
to invest in a classic style that blends well with both your business and after hour’s attire.
-Image consultants have found that the metallic style with black lizard or gold tone band tests
best.
THE RULE OF THIRTEEN
-How much jewelry is too much? The rule of 13 simplifies this mystery. After you dress in the
morning, do a quick count of your accessories. Include the ornate buttons on your suit, dress, or
blouse, the buckles on your shoes, your eyeglasses, scarf, and jewelry.
-If the count is less than 13, you are probably well balanced in appearance. If you tally more than
13, play it safe and remove the unnecessary pieces.
MAKEUP
Makeup enhances a woman skin tones and colors. The goal is to wear make up without looking overly
made up. Consult a professional cosmetologist for help in selecting colors that look good on you.
Lipstick should be blotted before a businesswoman goes out to eat. Lipstick prints in cups and glasses
are unsightly and the lipstick alters the taste on the beverage.
Do not touch up your makeup in a business setting...go to the restrooms.
Fingernails: Are best worn slightly longer than her fingertips and colored with clear polish. A French
manicure is very appropriate.
The professional woman who wears nail color should have beautifully manicured nails and should check
them daily for chips. She must also pay close attention not to mar her business cards with her nail color.
HAIR
Since your hair is often your most noticed feature, invest in a hairstyle that is complimentary to your
facial structure. Hair that is shoulder length or shorter or at least appears that way gives you the most
professional appearance. So if you enjoy having hairs shoulder length or longer, pull it up or back in a
style that gives you a chic look.
Hair color should appear natural. Beware of dark roots. Upkeep is the secret.
Kind Regards
From Pakistan, Karachi
Business Etiquette
Powerful First Impression
Make your first 10 words count: “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me”, “It’s a pleasure to
finally meet you Mr. X”, “Denise thank you for your interest in getting together”, “Juan, thank you for
suggesting we meet today”, “It’s great seeing you again”
Tune into others: Making eye contact, always wear a smile
Your expressions demonstrate the confidence you have in yourself
Be vibrant, be confident and people will respond positively
Walk with a purpose
Put some bounce into your step.
Move with vigor and vitality
Most of us enjoy being around high-energy people
Be Impeccably Groomed
Keep your hair neat and in a fashion that flatters the shape of your face
Wear jewelry appropriately to the event and situation
Shoes should be well maintained
MEN: Use the one finger test when buying shirts. Make sure a shirt fits properly by placing your index
finger between the collar and your neck. If there is enough room to slip your finger comfortable into the
space, you are not only assured of an excellent fit, you would also feel less compelled to unbutton the top
button
MEN: Know that most women like to see a little leg, but not when you are wearing trousers. Wear socks
that cover your calves when seated.
WOMEN: should be aware of poor impression made by hosiery with runners. Always keep an extra pair
of stockings with you when going to an important event
Business Greetings and Introductions
Stand Up
Make eye contact
Smile
Say your name
Shake hands
MEN:
-Don’t wait for a woman to initiate a handshake
-Always offer a woman your full hand in a handshake. Forget the business of shaking fingers.
-Avoid my hand over your hand handshake as this could be interpreted as a subtle form of oneupmanship
WOMEN
-Always offer a complete and firm handshake
Shake hands with customers and clients, even when you meet them outside the work place
-Avoid wearing an oversized ring on the right hand it can hinder others from giving you a firm
handshake
Never stay behind the desk when meeting or greeting someone. When shaking hands, the only
thing that should be between the two of you is space
-Shake hands at both the beginning and at the end of a meeting
Interviews
Resumes
A well constructed and designed resume plus an effective cover letter is important. You will be selling
yourself, your qualifications and experiences.
Like the 15 second 1st impression, your goal is to create material that will encourage the reader to finish
all of your information on the resume
Learn as much as possible about the position you are applying for, the company’s missions and goals
Summary group at the beginning of a resume will attract the readers interest
The layout of your resume is very important; it needs to be professional in appearance with correct
grammar and spelling. Use “bolding” and “italics” sparingly. Visual readability is enhanced through
neat margins, adequate white space, and indenting to highlight text.
Resume length should only be one page unless you have 10+ years of experience.
A sparkling GPA and list of extracurricular achievements will usually earn you a shot at an interview
When the economy is sluggish and companies are hiring a fewer new employees you need to know how
to make a positive first impression. Knowing the basic rules of interviewing etiquette will help you.
Your ability to display proper social skills is critical.
The Interview
Be prepared. Know your resume and be prepared to talk about every piece of it.
Arrive 10 – 15 minutes early
If possible find out where it is before hand
Sit up straight and lean forward slightly to indicate interest
Be comfortable wit h pauses. You’ll have a definite advantage if you know how to use pauses wisely.
Don’t be afraid to use your humorous side when appropriate
Speak clearly and loudly enough to be heard
Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, eye contact and a smile and use his/her name.
Carry your briefcase or purse on your left hand.
Be seated after you’ve been asked to sit in an indicated chair.
Avoid starting the small talks
Don’t be afraid to ask the interviewer to repeat the question if you don’t understand it.
Never use first names unless you have a friendly and long standing relationship with the interviewer or
he/she asks you to be addressed by the first name
When interview is over thank interviewer for the time and make a positive statement about the process
Rise when the interviewer does
Extend your hand and call the person by name
It is appropriate to ask when to call or when will a decision be reached
A brief “handwritten” note should be sent following the interview
Introductions
Basic Rule: Mention the most important person first (based on rank, not on gender)
“Mr./Ms Greater authority, may I present Mr./Ms Lesser Authority”
However there is an exception to this rule your client outranks higher authority in your
company, in this case you mention your client first.
For a proper introduction, say “May I introduce to you…..” and not “May I introduce you to….”
“Juan Rodriguez, I would like to introduce Maria Lopez, our CEO”
When introducing people of equal rank, you might want to give preference to older people but it
certainly isn’t necessary.
Introduce a man to a woman of equal rank
Names are not enough
Supplying a nugget of information along with the name and title can serve as a conversation starter and
make both parties more comfortable. Ex. “Julio is the auditor looking into the Enron matter…” or “
Margarita is a lawyer with the Goya Corporation…”
Introducing yourself
Sometimes good manners require us to introduce ourselves
-When you find yourself among persons you don’t know at a business or social gathering
-When the person who was expected to make the introduction fails to do so or overlooks you
-When you are seated next to someone at a meal
-When it becomes obvious that someone you have met previously is having trouble placing you say
something like this: “ hello, I’m Rafael Diaz. We met last spring at the web page workshop in
Fresno”
Remembering and Forgetting Names
-When you meet a person for the first time listen with intention of recording the name into your
personal mental computer
-Repeat the name aloud during the introduction. Use it again in the next couple of sentences
-If the name is difficult to understand, ask that it be repeated. If it is an unusual name ask the origin;
comment in what a pretty or strong name it is
-If the name sounds hard to spell, ask for the correct spelling
-Mentally link the name to an object that will remind you of the name you want to remember
-When forgetting a name, graciously ask for it with a smile and say something like “please tell me
your name. I seem to have a mental vapor lock.”
-If you remember anything about the person, this is a mitigating circumstance and should be used
like “I remember your interesting remarks at the software seminar”
Her Professional Image
SUITS
You can’t go wrong with high quality suits in Navy, Gray, Taupe, and Black tones.
Bright Colors have a different function. They add fashion and flare
Skirts length – should not be shorter than slightly above the knee and fall no lower than just below mid
calf.
Although mini-skirts might be in fashion they have no place in a professional environment
FABRICS
-Fabric that test well include 100% wool, wool blends, and silks
-Linen suits are not recommended because they wrinkle easily and don’t look crisp at the end of
the day.
BLOUSES
As with suits solid colors are the wisest wardrobe investment for blouses. While most blouse colors test
well, choose colors that benefit the particular suit you are wearing. Ex: When wearing a light color suit,
add an authorities look with a dark or bright color blouse.
Always select blouses of high quality, colors and styles that are complimentary to you.
HOSIERY
Image consultants have found that woman who wear hosiery in their own skin tone portray a more
conservative image than those who wear darker or color stockings.
Don’t forget to carry an extra pair of stockings with you at all times in case you get a run.
SHOES
Heels should measure 2 – 3” in height
Invest in leather rather than synthetic materials; you will convey a more distinguished image
Recommended colors: navy, black, cordovan, and taupe
HANDBAGS, BRIEFCASES, AND PORTAFOLIOS
It’s always advisable to invest in leather accessories. Choose classic rather than trendy items
As with shoes, follow the same recommended colors
It is appropriate to carry both a purse and a briefcase as long as a purse is a shoulder bag that is compact
in appearance.
You should only carry necessary items (wallet, hairbrush, basic cosmetics, etc). You don’t want to
accidentally drop open your purse and your life history could be revealed.
JEWLERY
Choose jewelry that enhances your wardrobe for example, when wearing a suit or a dress with pearlized
buttons, wear pearl earrings. Or when wearing a gold tone necklace with a black suit, wear gold
earrings with a black stone.
Earrings: Don’t let dangling earrings drag you down the corporate ladder. Chandeliers are great in
dining rooms and in social events, but they definitely don’t belong in an office setting. As with other
pieces of jewelry your safest bet is to choose those pieces that are simple yet elegant.
Watches: Besides being functional the watch you wear is a valuable accessory item that is why it’s wise
to invest in a classic style that blends well with both your business and after hour’s attire.
-Image consultants have found that the metallic style with black lizard or gold tone band tests
best.
THE RULE OF THIRTEEN
-How much jewelry is too much? The rule of 13 simplifies this mystery. After you dress in the
morning, do a quick count of your accessories. Include the ornate buttons on your suit, dress, or
blouse, the buckles on your shoes, your eyeglasses, scarf, and jewelry.
-If the count is less than 13, you are probably well balanced in appearance. If you tally more than
13, play it safe and remove the unnecessary pieces.
MAKEUP
Makeup enhances a woman skin tones and colors. The goal is to wear make up without looking overly
made up. Consult a professional cosmetologist for help in selecting colors that look good on you.
Lipstick should be blotted before a businesswoman goes out to eat. Lipstick prints in cups and glasses
are unsightly and the lipstick alters the taste on the beverage.
Do not touch up your makeup in a business setting...go to the restrooms.
Fingernails: Are best worn slightly longer than her fingertips and colored with clear polish. A French
manicure is very appropriate.
The professional woman who wears nail color should have beautifully manicured nails and should check
them daily for chips. She must also pay close attention not to mar her business cards with her nail color.
HAIR
Since your hair is often your most noticed feature, invest in a hairstyle that is complimentary to your
facial structure. Hair that is shoulder length or shorter or at least appears that way gives you the most
professional appearance. So if you enjoy having hairs shoulder length or longer, pull it up or back in a
style that gives you a chic look.
Hair color should appear natural. Beware of dark roots. Upkeep is the secret.
Kind Regards
From Pakistan, Karachi
His Professional Image
SUITS
Most companies with rigid cultures encourage male employees to wear single breasted as supposed to
double breasted suits.
No matter which style a man chooses certain buttons should be fasted when walking or standing. In the
case of single-breasted jacket the top of the 2 button or the middle of 3 should be fastened. With the
double breast every button should be fastened.
Fabrics: 100% wool blends is a good choice for men’s suits. When purchasing a suit the scrunch test is a
must (wrinkle-free).
SHIRTS
Long sleeve shirts for business with suits
White shirts portray the most formal look specially when accompanied by stays
Blue shirts give more casual appearance
Although many men don’t wear undershirt, they should. The reasons are three-fold: 1. Keeps a dress
shirt from feeling itchy against the skin. 2. Preserves the shirt from perspiration. 3. Gives added body to a
dress shirt.
TIES
When it comes to ties width is what counts.
Ties should be between 2 ¾ and 3 ½ inches wide
The tip of the tie should touch the top of a man’s belt buckle
BELT & SHOES
When selecting belts and shoes think of black and leather as fashion-wise investments
While loafers are acceptable with suits, wing tips portray a more conservative look.
Generally, men should always wear a belt with a suit. It should be 1 ¼ to 1-½ inches wide and should be
the same color as your shoes.
You should always have your shoes shined and worn-down hills should be replaced, and bottoms should
be half soled when they are beginning to wear thin.
ACCESSORIES
Pens: a high quality writing instrument contributes to a polished image
A worthwhile investment is a elegant dress watch. Stay away from bulky sports watches, digital
watches, and watches with cheap metal bands
Chains/necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and pinky rings should be left at home. Wedding bands and/or
signet rings are the only jewelry allowed for a man to wear in the business environment.
Wallets and briefcases should be thin.
HAIR
Hairstyles and lengths for businessmen vary over the years. Sideburns come and go in popularity. Most
companies have specific guidelines to follow regarding the accepted length of men’s hair around the
collar.
Male executives are usually expected to wear their hair above the neck of the shirt or suit collar.
A businessman with long hair slicked back in a ponytail is often more acceptable in the arts and
entertainment industries.
FACIAL HAIR
It’s usually discouraged in the corporate sector, but when beards and mustaches are worn, they should be
clipped and neat at all times.
Attention should also be directed to the trimming of nose and ear hairs.
HIS and HER Professional Image (cont.)
PERFUME
If someone is an arm’s length away and comments on your perfume, you’re probably wearing too much.
Perfume should always be worn to make you and those you allow to stand closer than an arm’s length
away feel extra special.
GLASSES
If you wear glasses, they should be both functional and complimentary, enhancing your facial features.
It is advisable especially for women, to have more than one set of frames. Something business like for
working hours, and something a little more casual for after hours gatherings.
Regardless of style, be sure to purchase clear vs. tinted glass lenses for your use in the office since eye
contact is of the utmost importance when communicating with others.
BUSINESS CASUAL
Business clothes toned down. I.e. no tie, no jacket.
For Women, no jacket, but no tights or tee shirts
Communicating Effectively
THE ART OF MAKING CONVERSATION
A good conversationalist is polite and cares about other people.
He/she is well informed and could talk on a variety of subjects.
He can move the conversation through topics to suit the person or group participating in the
conversation.
He includes other and does not monopolize the conversation.
He knows the value of eye contact and uses it consistently as he gives you quality attention.
He doesn’t interrupt, nor does he correct another’s grammar or pronunciation in public.
He knows how to accept and pay compliments gracefully.
A skilled conversationalist understands that certain subjects are best avoided in casual conversation with
people one doesn’t know well.
-Her health or that of other people
Controversial issues that could result in emotional differences of opinion, ex abortion, politics, religion
Stories in questionable taste, ex. Drunkenness behavior
Gossip that is harmful to people, personally or professionally
-Personal misfortunes
-A person’s age and income
Kind Regards
From Pakistan, Karachi
SUITS
Most companies with rigid cultures encourage male employees to wear single breasted as supposed to
double breasted suits.
No matter which style a man chooses certain buttons should be fasted when walking or standing. In the
case of single-breasted jacket the top of the 2 button or the middle of 3 should be fastened. With the
double breast every button should be fastened.
Fabrics: 100% wool blends is a good choice for men’s suits. When purchasing a suit the scrunch test is a
must (wrinkle-free).
SHIRTS
Long sleeve shirts for business with suits
White shirts portray the most formal look specially when accompanied by stays
Blue shirts give more casual appearance
Although many men don’t wear undershirt, they should. The reasons are three-fold: 1. Keeps a dress
shirt from feeling itchy against the skin. 2. Preserves the shirt from perspiration. 3. Gives added body to a
dress shirt.
TIES
When it comes to ties width is what counts.
Ties should be between 2 ¾ and 3 ½ inches wide
The tip of the tie should touch the top of a man’s belt buckle
BELT & SHOES
When selecting belts and shoes think of black and leather as fashion-wise investments
While loafers are acceptable with suits, wing tips portray a more conservative look.
Generally, men should always wear a belt with a suit. It should be 1 ¼ to 1-½ inches wide and should be
the same color as your shoes.
You should always have your shoes shined and worn-down hills should be replaced, and bottoms should
be half soled when they are beginning to wear thin.
ACCESSORIES
Pens: a high quality writing instrument contributes to a polished image
A worthwhile investment is a elegant dress watch. Stay away from bulky sports watches, digital
watches, and watches with cheap metal bands
Chains/necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and pinky rings should be left at home. Wedding bands and/or
signet rings are the only jewelry allowed for a man to wear in the business environment.
Wallets and briefcases should be thin.
HAIR
Hairstyles and lengths for businessmen vary over the years. Sideburns come and go in popularity. Most
companies have specific guidelines to follow regarding the accepted length of men’s hair around the
collar.
Male executives are usually expected to wear their hair above the neck of the shirt or suit collar.
A businessman with long hair slicked back in a ponytail is often more acceptable in the arts and
entertainment industries.
FACIAL HAIR
It’s usually discouraged in the corporate sector, but when beards and mustaches are worn, they should be
clipped and neat at all times.
Attention should also be directed to the trimming of nose and ear hairs.
HIS and HER Professional Image (cont.)
PERFUME
If someone is an arm’s length away and comments on your perfume, you’re probably wearing too much.
Perfume should always be worn to make you and those you allow to stand closer than an arm’s length
away feel extra special.
GLASSES
If you wear glasses, they should be both functional and complimentary, enhancing your facial features.
It is advisable especially for women, to have more than one set of frames. Something business like for
working hours, and something a little more casual for after hours gatherings.
Regardless of style, be sure to purchase clear vs. tinted glass lenses for your use in the office since eye
contact is of the utmost importance when communicating with others.
BUSINESS CASUAL
Business clothes toned down. I.e. no tie, no jacket.
For Women, no jacket, but no tights or tee shirts
Communicating Effectively
THE ART OF MAKING CONVERSATION
A good conversationalist is polite and cares about other people.
He/she is well informed and could talk on a variety of subjects.
He can move the conversation through topics to suit the person or group participating in the
conversation.
He includes other and does not monopolize the conversation.
He knows the value of eye contact and uses it consistently as he gives you quality attention.
He doesn’t interrupt, nor does he correct another’s grammar or pronunciation in public.
He knows how to accept and pay compliments gracefully.
A skilled conversationalist understands that certain subjects are best avoided in casual conversation with
people one doesn’t know well.
-Her health or that of other people
Controversial issues that could result in emotional differences of opinion, ex abortion, politics, religion
Stories in questionable taste, ex. Drunkenness behavior
Gossip that is harmful to people, personally or professionally
-Personal misfortunes
-A person’s age and income
Kind Regards
From Pakistan, Karachi
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