Business Dress & Business Etiquette

1. Business Dress& Business Etiquette C2M The Do’s & The Don'ts… Supplemented By Information From A Presentation By Ginger L. Bowen And Information From a UCF Presentation

2. OVERVIEW • Why Appearance Matters • What Is Business Dress? • Do’s And Don’ts • What Is Business Casual? • What Is Semiformal Attire? • “Dress For Success” Examples & Sources • A Related Sidebar… • General Business Etiquette • How To Attend A Cocktail Party • Business Dining • Other resource info…

3. YOU ARE WHAT YOU WEAR • In a business setting, people first notice • Your clothing • Your face • Your hands • Your shoes • Your writing instrument • Your briefcase • Your watch… etc etc… • The care taken in your appearance indicates the care taken in your position

4. A Side-Bar On How You Are Perceived… • If you look like a/an _____, people will treat you like a/an ______. • If you act like a/an _____, people will treat you like a/an ______. • If you talk like a/an _____, people will treat you like a/an ______.

5. WHAT IS BUSINESS DRESS? • Attire appropriate for meetings or an office environment • Purpose is to convey a professional appearance, as well as create an environment conducive to work • Personal expression is encouraged, but should not be taken to extremes

6. Dress For Success For Men

7. Suits • Colors to Wear: dark blue, gray, brown or muted pin-stripes • Tailored and freshly dry cleaned

8. Shirts • Good quality, white button-down or white classic color – bi/color….? • Make sure the shirt is pressed

9. Ties Don’t let the tie speak for you! • Silk or good quality • Complement suit • Tip of tie should end near the center of belt buckle YES! NO!

10. Shoes • Highly polished slip-ons • Laced dress shoes in black, cordovan or brown • Dark socks that are high enough to hide your skin when you sit down

11. Facial Hair • No facial hair if possible, if you must, trim it neatly YES NO! MAYBE

12. Jewelry • No chains or necklaces showing • No rings other than wedding or college ring • No earrings or other piercing; if you have them, take them out • Conservative watch

13. Other Tips • Clean fingernails • Minimal cologne • Empty your pockets to avoid clinking or bulges • Turn off cell phones and beepers • No gum or cigarettes

14. You only have one chance to make a good first impression!

15. Dress For Success For Women

16. Why Is Dress So Crucial For Success? • First impressions are extremely important! • Irreversible assumptions are made almost immediately based on a persons’ appearance. • You want to put your best foot forward and present yourself in a positive light.

17. 5 Tips Everyone Should Know About Dressing Professionally • Keep your appearance neat and clean. • Clothing should be freshly pressed - no wrinkles! • Well groomed nails are important. • Wear minimal make-up and jewelry. • Neutral body odor is essential (wear an antiperspirant/deodorant, use perfume or other fragrance sparingly)!

18. Examples of Professional Attire

19. Put Your Best Shoe Forward • Many managers and interviewers make assumptions based on an individual’s shoes. • This is one way of assessing whether you pay attention to details. • Shoes should be: • Neat and polished. • Closed toe. • No higher than a 2 inch heal (unless you are extremely short).

20. Keep it Conservative • It is always best to err on the side of caution. • The most traditional and conservative interview attire for women is a two piece, matched skirt suit. • Always, always wear a blouse under your blazer! • A long sleeved, collared shirt or shell is appropriate. • Make sure your ensemble still looks complete without your blazer (in case you have the option to take it off).

21. Choosing a Color • Navy blue is a good color for a “starter” suit. • This is a versatile color that can be dressed up or down, depending on the situation and job. • Navy is considered a professional and powerful color, but is not as bold as black.

22. Choosing a Suit that will Grow with You • Buy the nicest suit you can afford. • Put quality over quantity – a well chosen suit will last you several years into your career. • A cheap suit is easy to spot: • Made with less desirable materials like rayon-poly blends. • Larger, less flattering cuts.

23. Your First Suit: Tips & Tricks • Have your suit professionally tailored! This ensures: • The suite looks appropriate on you. • You will feel comfortable and self-confident in your suit. • Dress like you already have the job you want. • Remember: a carefully chosen suit will last you well into your career. It is an investment worth the extra money!

24. It’s all in the Details • Hair • Simple style • You don’t want to distract the interviewer with obnoxious hair. • They should notice you for your skills and experiences, not your hair. • Out of your face • Nylons • A must with any interview outfit – skirt or pantsuit! • Skin tone or black colored are most appropriate.

25. It’s all in the Details: Final Touches • Accessories • Don’t overdo it! • It’s best to choose 1 or 2 simple accessories like a watch and stud earnings. • Portfolio vs. Purse • Opt for a sharp, professional looking portfolio instead of your purse. • Choose a good quality portfolio with compartments for keys or lipstick. • Carry copies of your resume and a pad for note taking.

26. Dressing to Impress: • Follow Company Policy. • Your first reference point is the employee manual. • When in doubt – ask your supervisor or a member of Human Resources! • Warning: business casual means different things in different companies! • Casual dress ranges from coordinated skirt/pant sets to khakis and polo’s. • Business casual does not mean jeans or tennis shoes.

27. A Mix – Biz & Biz Casual…

28. A Side-Bar…SEMIFORMAL ATTIRE • Females: Knee-length cocktail dress, tea length dress, or long dress • Males: “Black Tie” • Tuxedo or a dark suit is appropriate • Formal wear (white tie, full ball gown) is generally not required

29. Another Sidebar… • Tattoos… • Piercing’s… • And etc etc…?

30. Determining Appropriate Dress • Consider the environment • Consider your goals • Consider the clues • Consider others’ dress • Consider the impression you want to make or leave

31. Business Etiquette Putting Your Best Foot Forward… …Instead Of Putting It In Your Mouth…

32. Etiquette Topics • General Tips • Making introductions • Using the telephone • E-mailing • Gender issues • Dining

33. Introductions When being introduced: • Shake hands firmly • Stand When introducing others: • Introduce the most important person first • Give a little information about people • Use full names

34. IntroductionsCommon Problem Areas • If you forget someone’s name, be honest • If your name is mispronounced, politely say the correct pronunciation • If someone forgets to introduce you, politely introduce yourself • Wait to use a person’s first name until instructed to do so • When unsure, follow the lead of others

35. Telephone Etiquette When placing calls: • Introduce yourself and state why you are calling • Be prepared to leave a concise message When receiving calls: • Introduce yourself • Never leave anyone on hold more than one minute • Return messages within 24 hours

36. Telephone Etiquette • Use the speakerphone sparingly and do not use it for checking voicemail • Have tasteful answering messages at work and at home • Turn cell phones off at meetings or meals (if it accidentally rings, turn it off – do not answer it!) • When carrying the phone, use low ring volume or vibrate mode • Use a low voice when speaking on your phone in public • Observe common courtesies (“please” and “thank you”)

37. E-mail Etiquette • Include a clear and specific subject line • Read messages before sending • Check spelling and grammar • Do not curse, spam, or use ALL CAPS • Do not forward chain letters at work • Remember that all e-mail can be traced to the source • Do not send anything you consider private • Use BCC to preserve others’ privacy when appropriate • Always reply within 24 hours

38. Gender Issues • Men and women should be treated the same • Whoever gets to the door first should open it • Both men and women should stand when meeting someone • Both genders should provide a firm handshake • Whoever invites a colleague to a business lunch pays for it

39. Cocktail Party Management… • Before the party • R.S.V.P. • Logistics – Standing-Up… • Layer your items • Napkin • Plate • Glass • Business card arrangement • Keep right hand free to shake hands

40. Cocktail Party Management • Handshakes • Universally accepted • When to use • Proper grip • Handling food • Items passed on trays – picking up… • Food from buffet – careful – not sloppy… • Discarded toothpicks or cocktail sticks

41. Small Talk… • Research – the group/the activity/topic • Set goals – Business Goals… • Use open body language/smile/make eye contact • Introduce yourself • Allow others to introduce you to people they know

42. Common Cocktail Party Faux Pas… • Things to Avoid • Making food the focus • Drinking to excess – 1 Only… • Uncomfortable topics • Lengthy conversations • Gossip • Complaining about the event • Flirting • Being rude/disrespectful to staff

43. After the Party • Say goodbye/excuse yourself to other guests • Thank the host/hostess as you leave • Send a “thank you” note

44. Biz Dining Etiquette • Don’t chew gum • Keep elbows off the table • Keep conversation polite • Place napkin on lap as soon as seated • Taste food before seasoning • Pass salt and pepper together • Don’t dunk food • Break off one piece of bread, butter it, eat it, and repeat • Only order appetizers or desserts if others do so

45. Dining Etiquette • Wait for everyone to be served before eating • Cut a small portion of food at a time (one or two bites) • When squeezing a lemon, use other hand to shield others from squirting juice • If you need to temporarily leave the table, place napkin on seat • When interviewing, follow the lead of the employer • Be courteous and demonstrate appreciation when appropriate

46. Dining Etiquette Conversation Topics • Avoid discussing: politics, religion, gossip, sex, anything too personal or negative… • Safe topics: • Weather • News/current events (don’t let it get into politics or religion!) • Books or movies • Music • Travel • Pets • Anything non-controversial

47. 12 Can you match the right items with their function? 13 7 4 3 8 9 10 11 Bread and butter plate Butter spreader Dessert Fork Dessert or Coffee Spoon Dinner Fork Dinner Knife 5 1 2 • Napkin • Place Plate/Charger • Salad Fork • Salad Knife • Soup Spoon • Water Goblet • Wine Glass 6

48. 12 Place Setting Answer Key 13 7 4 8 3 9 10 11 3. Bread and butter plate 4. Butter spreader 8. Dessert Fork 7. Dessert or Coffee Spoon 2. Dinner Fork 9. Dinner Knife 5 1 2 5. Napkin 6. Place Plate/Charger 1. Salad Fork 10. Salad Knife 11. Soup Spoon 12. Water Goblet 13. Wine Glass 6

49. A Side-Bar Silverware Signals… • Leaving the table, but returning… • At the table, finished but would like place setting removed… • Dropped silverware… • Dirty silverware…

50. You Get One Chance… People, like diamonds, have a basic market value, but it is only after they have been polished that the world will pay their real value. -William Thourlby It’s Up To You…