Here are some helpful etiquette tips for you!

interviewing

The great thing about interviewing is it is the one time you can tell people how wonderful you are and they are actually willing to listen.

Be honest about your qualifications and experience. If an interviewer asks, "What is your biggest weakness?"  Do not try to disguise a positive as a negative with a canned baloney answer like, "I work too hard" or "I am a perfectionist."

Instead, give an honest answer about a time that you really goofed and put it in the context of what you learned from the experience. A wise CEO once told me that a person who learns from mistakes is more valuable than a replacement employee.

(from the Culture and Manners Institute)

The Narrow Gate and Important Date

Earlier in my career I worked for Sony Music, the Epic and Columbia recording labels. I started on the front phones and you can just imagine the crack-open-a-can-of-crazy people that call into a music label.

"I am a very close friend of Mariah Carey, but I lost her phone number. Could you give it to me?"
Me: "Sure, it's right here in my rolodex." (Click.)

One day, a man called in saying he was Eddie Money. I said, "Right." 
I put him on hold and said to the woman at the next desk, "Get this, this guy says he's Eddie Money."
She said, "Did he ask for Mike?"
I said with some hesitation, "Yes..."
She said, "That IS EDDIE MONEY."
I quickly picked up the phone again and said, "Mr. Money, he will be right with you."

Wednesday, April 25, is Administrative Professionals Day. Always be nice to the person who answers the phone — the executive secretary, assistant or receptionist. He or she is the gatekeeper — the person who puts your call through ... or not.

When calling a business, announce yourself to the person who answers the phone:
"Hello, this is (first name, last name), May I please speak to John?"

Add your company name or your department if calling for business:
"Hello, this is (first name, last name), I am calling from X Company…"
"Hello, this is (first name, last name), I am calling from the IT Department."

Do not put the person answering in an awkward position by saying, "Don’t you recognize my voice yet?"  That your voice is unremarkable and not memorable is not that person’s fault.

Have you hugged your administrative professional today?  If not, that's good, because you don't want to get fired or sued for hostile work environment. But try to do something nice this week for the administrative professionals that you work with, whether it's a card, a gift certificate, lunch or time off.
   
For more tips on etiquette, visit www.cultureandmanners.com
(from the Culture and Manners Institute)

for the road ... and beyond

These words of wisdom for the road pop up in various forms from Dale Carnegie to Louis Untermeyer's Golden Treasury of Poetry:

Here lies the body of Michael Shay,
who died maintaining his right of way.
His case was clear and his will was strong,
But he's just as dead as if he'd been wrong.

You can win the argument and still lose. Yield and keep the peace — on the road, in the workplace and at the dinner table.

Respecting Your Betters

It was recently found that males over 80 years old consider their biggest etiquette pet peeve not to be the rude use of cell phone and texting, but by young men who enter restaurants without removing their hats.

Never underestimate a senior person's ability to note the details. When dealing with the "young at heart" in business or social situations, take care of your appearance. Shine your shoes, press your clothing, button up (you too, ladies), comb your hair and gentlemen, please remove your hats.

And while you are at it, please call your grandparents.

For more tips on etiquette, visit www.cultureandmanners.com
(from the Culture and Manners Institute)