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1. Dining Etiquette Proper etiquette is essential for making a favourable impression at both lunch/dinner interviews as well as in social business situations. Although common sense is often your best guide, the following suggestions will help you stand out as a polished professional. Reception/Social Hour Reception or social hours are typically for the purpose of networking for jobs and entertaining clients. Follow the lead of the majority of individuals in the room and the following basic tips:
- Keep at least one hand free. If you are standing, have only a drink or food in one hand, never both. Hold a drink in your left hand so that you have a dry hand to offer a firm, not crushing, hand shake.
- You can eat and drink while sitting, but it is always better to stand and greet.
- Make good eye contact. Don't forget to introduce yourself to the host/hostess and don't interrupt conversations.
- Avoid approaching two people engaged in deep conversation. Wait until there is a break so you can introduce yourself. Look for visual cues to join the conversation.
- Make eye contact. Ask people questions about themselves and the work they do.
- Always offer your contact information and know when it is time to go. Move on to the next group or individual, follow up with promising contacts, and assess how you can improve your performance. Arrival/Sitting Down
- Arrive on time and call ahead if you know you will be late.
- Do not place any bags, purses, sunglasses, cell phones, or briefcases on the table.
- Have proper posture and keep elbows off the table.
- Wait 15 minutes before calling to check on the arrival status of your dinner partners. Table Setting
- When presented with a variety of eating utensils, remember the guideline to "start at the outside and work your way in". For example, if you have two forks, begin with the fork on the outside.
- Do not talk with your utensils and never hold a utensil in a fist.
- Set the utensils on your plate, not the table, when you are not using them. Napkin
- Typically, you want to put your napkin on your lap (folded in half with the fold towards your waist) soon after sitting down at the table, but follow your host's lead.
- The napkin should remain on your lap throughout the entire meal. Place your napkin on your chair, or to the left of your plate, if you leave the table as a signal to the server that you will be returning.
- When the host places their napkin on the table, this signifies the end of the meal. You should then place your napkin on the table as well. Ordering and Being Served
- Do not order the most expensive item from the menu, appetizers, or dessert, unless your host encourages you to do so. While it is best not to order alcohol even if the interviewer does, alcohol, if consumed, should be in moderation.
- Avoid ordering items that are messy or difficult to eat (i.e. spaghetti, French onion soup).
- Wait for everyone to be served before beginning to eat, unless the individual who has not been served encourages you to begin eating. During The Meal
- Eat slowly and cut only a few small bites of your meal at a time.
- Chew with your mouth closed and do not talk with food in your mouth.
- Pass food items to the right (i.e. bread, salad dressings). If you are the individual starting the passing of the bread basket, first offer some to the person on your left, then take some for yourself, then pass to the right.
- Pass salt and pepper together, one in each hand. If someone has asked you to pass these items, you should not pause to use them.
- Taste your food before seasoning it.
- Do not use excessive amounts of sweeteners - no more than two packets per meal is the rule of thumb.
- Bread should be eaten by tearing it into small pieces, buttering only a few bites at a time. Do not cut bread with a knife or eat whole.
- Gently stir your soup to cool it instead of blowing on it. Spoon your soup away from you.
- You do not have to clean your plate. It is polite to leave some food on your plate. Be Aware Of Different Eating Styles
- Continental or European Style: Cutting the food with the right hand and using the left hand to hold the food while cutting and when eating.
- American Style: Cutting the food with the right hand and holding the food with the left, then switching hands to eat with the right hand. When You Have Finished
- When you are finished, leave your plates in the same position, do not push your plates aside or stack them.
- Lay you fork and knife diagonally across the plate, side by side, pointing at 10:00 and 4:00 on a clock face. This signifies to the wait staff that you have finished.
- The person who initiates the meal generally pays and tips appropriately (15% for moderate service, 20% for excellent service).
- Always remember to thank your host.
Why Etiquette Is Crucial During the Hiring Process Like it or not, interviews aren’t just about what you know—they’re about how you conduct yourself too. Displaying effective body language is key to creating a good first impression, and creating a list of questions ahead of time can lead to a smoother interview conversation and help with your interview prep. Most importantly, understanding etiquette rules prevents you from coming off as rude, underprepared, or insecure. Plenty of talented candidates with stellar resumes lose out on job opportunities because of a simple etiquette mistake–and they never even know what they did wrong. Having a firm grasp of etiquette can give you peace of mind knowing you aren’t unknowingly making any mistakes or coming off the wrong way. Remember that you’re one potential employee out of many that your already-busy manager will be interviewing, so you’ll need to stand out–and in the right way. The Power of First Impressions and Effective Body Language Job interview etiquette has a proven impact on your chances of getting hired, so getting it right can mean the difference between an offer and a rejection. These job interview stats prove that first impressions count:
What Are the Key Rules of Job Interview Etiquette? One of the most intimidating things about trying to have proper job interview etiquette does not know what your potential employer expects. What’s the company’s dress code? What kinds of interview questions will they ask? While you may not be able to anticipate every part of the interview, just having some basic interview etiquette can go a long way. These job interview etiquette tips are a good place to start.
- Research the Company and Role Thoroughly The most important part of having proper interview etiquette is doing your homework beforehand. One of the first steps in the interview process will likely be asking what drew you to the company, and you won’t look very impressive if you don’t even know what they do. But just knowing what they do won’t be enough to impress—researching the company’s operations can help you connect with the interviewer and further demonstrate how you can add value to the company. For example, if the company has expanded its operations or has a new product similar to one you’ve worked with, highlighting that in your conversation can prove that you’re invested in its interests and might be the right fit for the team. You can find the mission, values, and interview questions for hundreds of top companies in our company guides.
- Prepare an Elevator Pitch and Common Questions From the first call with a recruiter to the final onsite, nearly every interview will begin with a “tell me about yourself” question. Preparing an elevator pitch will allow you to leave a good first impression and start the interview with confidence. You can customize our elevator pitch template, proven to impress recruiters and interviewers. While you don’t need to memorize your elevator pitch word for word, you should be able to share it whenever asked. It’s not enough to just have a general idea of what to say–write down your pitch, then deliver it in front of a mirror until you know it well. Beside “tell me about yourself” questions, a handful of behavioral interview questions will come up in almost every single interview, such as “what is your greatest strength” or “tell me about a conflict”. You should also prepare a situation from a previous work experience for these questions, as well as actions you took and the impact your actions had.
- Arrive Early and Be Punctual This is almost as crucial for interview success as being prepared is arriving early. The rule of thumb is that if you’re not 15 minutes early, you’re late — but you don’t want to be too early either. Showing up excessively early can crowd the waiting room and make the interviewer feel rushed, so arrive at the receptionist’s desk 15 minutes before the interview starts. Also, some companies may have sprawling offices or confusing layouts, so it can also help to scout out the interview location ahead of time — especially if it’s a lunch interview located somewhere you’ve never been. Ask for directions if you’re able to
- Handle Common Interview Questions with Grace The initial phase of the interview process will contain behavioural interview questions that address the basics first. Some common examples are “Tell me about yourself” and “Why should we hire you?” — but others like “What have you been reading lately?” have been emerging more and more. At first, these questions may feel confusing because you may not know how much information to offer, but answer them with a gracious attitude while giving enough information without going on too long about yourself. Preparing ahead of time helps. The STAR method — Situation, Task, Action, Result — is a helpful approach, as it lets you focus on how you delivered results in the past. When handling behavioural interview questions, be friendly and gracious in your responses but concise enough to get down to business.
- Research Industry Standards to Address Salary and Compensation At some point, that awkward topic will arise — compensation. The company may have a set salary and benefits package in mind and state it clearly, or you may need to inquire. You don’t want to be unreasonable and request too much, but you also aren’t working for free, so go into the interview with clear knowledge of average compensation for your position. Factors like location and experience level can also have an impact, so conduct your research accordingly. You want to prepare a very specific answer to “What is your expected salary?” interview questions. When asked about salary, the key is to avoid specific numbers. Don’t even feel pressured to give an answer right away. Instead, say you’ll research it and get back to the company. This makes it much easier to negotiate a higher salary. If they press you for an answer, tell them that “salary is not my primary concern when looking at career opportunities. But my expectation is for a competitive salary for this industry in this area.” If you give an actual salary number, you could make yourself a pricey and less appealing candidate. Or you could give a figure that is too low, making it extremely difficult to negotiate a higher salary if you get an offer.
- Prepare to Handle Challenging Situations and Difficult Questions You’re bound to face some difficult questions as you go through your interview, and even the most thorough interview preparation can’t get you ready for everything. One particularly challenging question may be why you left your previous employer — and this may be a good time for that water. Even if you had a negative experience at your previous job, you can likely still say something positive about the time you spent there. Mention how you grew as a professional, and if nothing else, you can just say that it was time to broaden your horizons. Whatever you do, don’t bash your former company, as they may assume that if you did it to your previous employer, you’ll do it to your future employer too.
- Express Gratitude and Follow Up directly after the interview
Once the interview draws to a close, remember that a thank you goes a long way. The interviewer took time out of their busy day to give you a shot at the job out of all the potential candidates they had, and that deserves some appreciation. Verbally thank your potential employer for the opportunity when the interview ends. Later that day, write a thank you email to all your interviewers.. While it may seem like you just thanked the interviewer in person, sending your thank you email directly after your sessions is usually most effective because the conversation is still fresh in the interviewer’s minds. You can make an additional follow-up inquiry about their decision about a week later, but much beyond that becomes pushy.
It is considered rude to plunge into business discussions immediately. Ask about your counterpart’s family, interests, hobbies, etc. before beginning business discussions. Business is slow and difficult in India. Be polite, but persistent. Do not get angry if you are told something "can't be done." Instead, restate your request firmly but with a smile. Plan on several visits before you reach an agreement. You may be offered a sugary, milky tea, coffee or a soft drink. Don’t refuse. Note that your glass or cup may be refilled as soon as it is emptied. Indian counterparts may not show up for scheduled meetings. Be prepared to reschedule. Dining and Entertainment
- Initial business entertainment is done in restaurants in prestigious hotels. Business can be discussed during meals. Allow your host to initiate business conversation.
- Never flatly refuse an invitation to a home or dinner of a business counterpart; if you can’t make it, offer a plausible excuse.
- Spouses are often included in social/business functions.
- Strict orthodox Muslims don't drink any alcohol. Most Hindus, especially women, do not consume alcohol.
- Arrive 15-30 minutes later than the stated time for a dinner party.
- At a social gathering a garland of flowers is often placed around a guest's neck. Remove it after a few minutes and carry it in your hand to show humility.
- Allow hosts to serve you. Never refuse food, but don’t feel obligated to empty your plate. Hindu hosts are never supposed to let their guests’ plates be empty.
- If hosts eat with hands, assure them you enjoy doing the same. If utensils are not used, use your right hand and your first three fingers and thumb only.
- Take food from communal dish with a spoon; never your fingers. Use chappati or poori (bread) torn into small chunks to scoop up food.
- The host pays for guests in a restaurant.
- Guests give gifts to the host and the host's children as a "thank you."
- You should reciprocate invitations with a meal of comparable value. Never invite someone to a far more lavish dinner -- it might embarrass them. Dress For business, men should wear suits and ties. During summer months, you may omit the jacket. Women should wear conservative pantsuits or dresses. Gifts
- Give gifts with both hands. Gifts are not normally opened in the presence of the giver.
- Gifts from your country are appreciated (perfume, chocolates, small china or crystal objects).
- Gifts are not normally expected at the first meeting. Gifts may be given once a relationship develops.
Helpful Hints
- When an Indian answers, "I will try," he or she generally means "no." This is considered a polite "no."
- Many Indians do not wear shoes inside a home. Follow your host. Make sure your socks are clean and do not have holes.
- Apologize immediately if your feet or shoes touch another person.
- Ask permission before smoking. It is considered rude to smoke in the presence of elders.
- Do not show anger. Especially for Women
- India is a difficult place to do business, but particularly tough for women. India is a male-dominated society. Western women may be accepted, but must establish their position and title immediately to warrant acceptance.
- Women might not be included in social events or conversation.
- Western women may invite an Indian man to a business lunch and pay the tab without embarrassment. For further information please visit http://www.ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette/cultural_etiquette.htm https://www.women-on-the-road.com/cultural-etiquette.html https://www.tourism-of-india.com/culture-and-etiquette.html
the emotions and needs of those around us, we can tailor our behaviour to ensure we are always considerate and appropriate. Respect and Consideration Etiquette often emphasises showing respect and consideration for others. Emotional intelligence plays a significant role in this by helping individuals recognise and understand the emotions, needs, and perspectives of others. When you’re emotionally intelligent, you’re more likely to treat others with respect and courtesy because you can empathise with their feelings and experiences. Empathy Empathy is a central aspect of emotional intelligence, and it is key to understanding and responding appropriately in social interactions. Etiquette often involves understanding the emotional states and needs of others, which empathy facilitates. People with high emotional intelligence are more likely to be sensitive to the emotions of those around them, leading to more considerate and empathetic behaviour, which aligns with etiquette. Conflict resolution Etiquette provides guidelines for resolving conflicts peacefully and constructively. Emotional intelligence is crucial in conflict resolution because it allows individuals to approach disagreements with empathy, active listening, and a focus on finding mutually beneficial solutions. This emotional understanding contributes to more effective conflict resolution, which is an important aspect of etiquette. Adaptation to Diverse Situations Etiquette varies across cultures and situations. Emotional intelligence helps individuals adapt their etiquette to different social contexts. Understanding the emotions and cultural nuances of those around you allows for a more flexible and appropriate approach to social interactions, ensuring that etiquette is not a rigid set of rules but a dynamic, considerate behaviour. In conclusion… Etiquette and emotional intelligence are intertwined elements of our social fabric. They complement each other, helping us navigate the complexities of human interaction. By combining the principles of etiquette with the empathetic and self-aware qualities of emotional intelligence, we can foster more harmonious relationships, resolve conflicts peacefully, and thrive in diverse social settings. Ultimately, the synthesis of etiquette and emotional intelligence leads to a more respectful, empathetic, and emotionally fulfilling way of engaging with the world.
5. Communication Etiquette rules for a good conversationalist We have never craved a good conversation as much as we do in the current times since social distancing has become the norm. And with technology having made giant leaps, it is now possible to interact with people across geographical boundaries, from the confines of our home! A good, wholesome conversation can work wonders to uplift the mood of those involved as well as help to share information and knowledge. A good conversationalist is someone who enjoys and is adept at making conversation. An active listener having vast knowledge about topics of interest and an open mind to learn more from people they engage with are a few of the qualities of a good conversationalist. However, there are a few pointers that can help us improve our conversation etiquette so that we can actively participate and contribute to the joint effort in making good conversations... Keep the company in mind : Steer your conversation keeping in mind who you are speaking to. If you are with a colleague or friend who has lost his job, be sensitive, show empathy. If you are at a job interview and you need to showcase your strengths and achievements, do so without boasting. You may discuss specific projects, and talk about how the goals were achieved. At a social event try and stick to topics of common interest. And at a business event, keep discussions strictly professional, unless a senior wishes to initiate a discussion on a topic to lighten the mood of the audience. Be curious, be interested : Conversation etiquette is all about being polite and thoughtful about the other person and making them feel like you are listening to what they have to say. Be open minded, ask questions and show interest in your conversation partner. Keep the conversations free flowing, without crossing the line to get too inquisitive or personal, as it can be annoying? Be aware of body language : yours as well as that of others: How you say is equally important as what you say... be aware of your own tone and your expressions as you engage. Be calm, confident, make eye contact and speak graciously. Also be aware of the other persons expressions... if he is yawning or no longer making eye contact, or not responding it means you may be losing him in the conversation and you may want to consider switching to another topic. Bring interesting topics to the conversation: As you make up your mind to attend a social get together, think about a few general interest topics that you may want to discuss there - new music releases, local news, sports or movies. These can be used as conversation fillers when there is a natural end to an ongoing conversation, or as a launch to another topic of general interest. Know when to move on: There are times when a conversation can veer off towards an uncomfortable topic and there is nothing you can do about it. At such times, you can quickly try to change the topic and expect the other person to take the hint. If not, you can be direct enough and say, ‘let’s agree to disagree’ and move on to discuss something else. Being polite is a pre requisite for any interaction and a thoughtful gesture towards your conversation partner. Make it a habit to use the polite words “Please, Thank You, Excuse Me and Sorry” when needed. And this need not be limited to women or the
6. Time Management Managing multiple projects, objectives and deadlines can be a full-time job. It will require all of your concentration, skills, talents and dedication. If you are going to be successful at managing your time, one of the first things you need to do is to identify your challenges and gain control of your workday. This can be easier said than done. After all, managers, co-workers and team members may all require a piece of your precious time. These 10 Golden Rules can help. Following these simple guidelines will free up precious time to spend on the truly important tasks and projects on your plate. Use these rules and watch your productivity grow.
- Know how you currently spend your time. In order to manage your time, you must first know how you spend it. You may wish to keep a log for a week to see the ways you use your time.
- Identify your “prime time.” Some people work better first thing in the morning while others tend to “wake up” later in the day. Identify your best time and use it to carry out your most important or difficult tasks.
- Do tomorrow’s planning tonight. This allows you to start off working first thing the next morning without having to decide what to do first.
- Ask yourself “Why am I doing what I’m doing right now?” While this may seem like a silly question, it is, in fact, a valid one. It’s easy to get sidetracked on less vital issues. Asking yourself this question can help you refocus your attention where it is most beneficial.
- Continually look at ways of freeing up time
- Plan your work, and work your plan. Don’t spend your time making a plan unless you actually intend to put it to use.
- Delegate whenever possible. Don’t fall into the trap of feeling you have to do everything since no one else can do it as well as you do. Not only is this not true, you’re causing yourself additional stress by trying to do it all.
- Delegate wisely. It’s poor planning—and unfair to your employees—to delegate tasks to them that they don’t have the skills, time, authority or resources to do.
- Identify your high-payoff items. Spend most of your time and energy on those items with the biggest return.
- Concentrate on results, not on being busy. While you may work hard and go home exhausted after a long day at work, at the end of the day, consider what you actually accomplished. 6 time management strategies to increase productivity One of the easiest ways to build your time management skills is to incorporate a tried- and-true time management strategy into your daily routine. Time management strategies help you set time limits on work, tackle one task at a time, and schedule your day with more intention.
- Timeboxing Timeboxing is a goal-oriented time management strategy where you complete work within “timeboxes.” This strategy is particularly effective if you aren’t sure how much time you’re spending on each task and want to approach your to-do list more intentionally. Timeboxing helps you break down large tasks into smaller pieces, and then complete those pieces in a reasonable amount of time. Each task should have its own unique timebox that lasts no more than three hours. For example, if you need to write a blog post, you might create a two-hour timebox to write an outline. Then after taking a break, you can create another three hour timebox to begin the first draft. By breaking the work into smaller pieces, you can make steady progress towards your goal over the course of days or weeks.
- Time blocking Time blocking is similar to timeboxing, but instead of scheduling specific time for each individual task, you’ll practice blocking off set periods of your calendar for related work. When you use time blocking to schedule your work, you’re effectively breaking the work week into discrete time slots where you can work on projects, communicate with coworkers, take a break, or even exercise. Time blocking can help you dedicate more time to flow and deep work by allowing you to focus without being interrupted. To create a time block, start by figuring out your daily or weekly priorities. Then, group similar tasks so you can work on them in one time block. Finally, practice scheduling blocks of focus time on your calendar to help you stick to your time blocked schedule.
- Pomodoro method Similar to timeboxing and time blocking, the Pomodoro method helps you tackle work within short time frames and then take breaks between working sessions. The Pomodoro time management strategy is particularly helpful because it actively encourages regular breaks, which are good for intrinsic motivation—and good for your brain. In fact, research suggests that taking breaks makes people more creative. To use the Pomodoro method, you need a timer, a prioritized to-do list, and a “snooze” feature on your notifications. Start by setting your timer for 25 minutes, and try to spend that time exclusively working on a task—avoid checking your text messages or social media if possible. Then, once time is up, take a five minute break. Ideally, aim to do something physical during your break, like grabbing a snack or getting up to stretch—but it’s ok to check your devices or see if you got an important ping while you were focused on your task. Repeat the process of working for 25 minutes and then taking a five minute break four times. Then, after the fourth working session, take a longer 20-30 minute break.
- Eat the Frog Mark Twain famously said, “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning.” The Eat the Frog time management strategy takes inspiration from this quote and encourages you to tackle big or complex tasks first before working on your
7. Networking Etiquette Networking etiquette is a set of rules and best practices to follow when connecting with new people or your existing contacts. It helps you understand how to interact with people in a professional setting. But it’s not a one size fits all. Every culture has its own norms for networking. Basics of Networking
- The basics of networking are to build mutually beneficial relationships. You should give to your network as much as you take.
- And it doesn’t take much to give. There are simple ways to add value to your network, like sharing resources or making introductions. What should you not say when networking?
- Avoid saying things that can trigger people when you’re networking.
- This means staying away from topics like politics, race, or religion.
- Pay attention to current events. Know what’s going on in the world around you. And don’t make comments that can come across as insensitive. Networking do’s
- Know your Value Before you do anything else, understand the value you offer to your network. Knowing what you bring to the table leads to confident networking.
- Think Win-Win Networking is about creating a win-win community. When you approach it from this angle, you put out good vibes and attract the same in return. Always keep an eye out for ways to support the people in your network.
- Remember Names Try to remember names while networking. This might seem obvious. But it’s easy to forget names at a busy networking event. An easy way to do this is to create a folder on your phone’s note app for each event. Write down the names of people you meet. Include a unique detail that’ll help you recall their names. This extra step will help you start relationships on a good note. And show people that you care.
- Have good body language Your body language can say more than your words when networking. It can help you appear approachable, confident, and knowledgeable.
Here’s what you can do to have positive body language while networking:
- Maintain eye contact during conversations
- Sit or stand up straight if possible
- Practice smiling at others
- Be mindful of your resting face
- Give people enough space
- Avoid crossing your arms
- Have a brand story Think of your brand story as the journey to get where you are today. Everything that led you up to this point is part of your personal brand story. Have it ready before networking events. So you’re not caught off guard when someone asks you about yourself. We walk you through creating a personal brand story in our Master Networking Course.
- Do your research before networking Run a quick search about the speakers or attendees before a networking event. This will help you find things you have in common which can be great talking points later.
- Maintain your network You’ve worked hard to build your network. Don’t let that hard work go to waste. There are organic ways to keep in touch with your contacts. You can send birthday wishes. Share helpful resources. Or send life updates. Networking Don’ts
- Network without a plan Having plan is a key to being successful with networking. A networking plan can help with that. It gives you step-by-step actions to crush your career goals through networking. They typically include — networking goals, a review of your current contacts, and a list of those you want to add your network. If you’re not sure where to start, check out this article on how to create a networking plan.
- Bring up triggering topics Today, it’s not always clear what will trigger people. To be safe, stay away from touchy subjects when networking in new spaces. Topics like sex, politics, religion, or trauma are best avoided at networking events. What’s appropriate in one community could turn off another.
