Business Etiquette - the Da Vinci Code
Business etiquette. Good manners are more important than ever for success in the job. But those who want to advance in their careers must above all know the unwritten laws in business. This is especially true for applicants and new professionals. To the office in a hoodie? The best seat in the meeting is next to the boss? Finish your meal during a business lunch instead of leaving the obligatory bit of food? And how important is good behavior in the job nowadays? Unwritten laws in the office Not a word in the employment contract, they are not posted on the bulletin board either: the secret rules of the job. It may seem that everything is easier and more casual today - but in reality, it is more difficult. Because the fewer official guidelines there are, the more important it is to know the unspoken rules of conduct. Especially for new professionals and employees. They should quickly crack the "Da Vinci Code," that is, the secret rules of their company, as these are often more important in everyday work life than official announcements. Example seating arrangement: at the Monday meeting, the seat next to the boss is vacant. Wonderful, thinks the intern, I can sit there - I'm already late and all the other chairs are taken. Here it is clear: never sit on the prominent empty chair without being asked, because the seat to the right of the boss is usually reserved for the next in rank, even if it seems relaxed and there is no official seating arrangement. Unwritten laws regarding dress code - the hoodie trap In office jobs in law firms, insurance companies, or banks, the dress code is often detailed. Women at the bank counter, for example, may wear discreet jewelry, but by no means excessively flashy fashion jewelry, and all types of piercings are an absolute no-go. However, the dress code is interpreted differently depending on the industry and company. So what to do if you don't know the code of the new company yet? It is rarely written down. Many modern companies claim that there are no explicit rules. But what about the unspoken ones? In general, for outfits in the job: the more creative the industry, the more you can deviate from the classic business dress code. But job entrants - even in the IT industry - should initially dress in business attire. "Software developers should also leave the hoodie in the closet for now. Until you know the secret dress code of your company, you are always right if you are better dressed than expected in your position - but never better than the highest-ranking person in the company. You can always switch to 'casual' later." Unwritten laws for business meals - the parsley question The decorative salad leaf, the tomato wedges, or the parsley remain on the plate - that's how it used to be. But today we know that all edible items left on the plate end up in the trash. Does this etiquette rule still fit our time? In this context, you can therefore eat everything that is on the plate and that you like, including the parsley. However, when invited to meals, one should always consider the cultural background: in Asian countries, for example, it is better to leave a bit of food on the plate. Otherwise, the host will keep ordering new dishes because they fear the guest has not eaten enough. More important than ever: Good manners Good manners should be maintained especially in everyday interactions: politeness, decency, and mindfulness - this magic formula also applies in 2016.
