Business Etiquette This book teaches individuals how to represent their

Your First Interview
, 
5th Edition,
by Ron Fry (Career
Press, 2002).
Tip #105
Tip #105
Tip #105
Tip #105
Tip #105
Manage inter
Manage inter
Manage inter
Manage inter
Manage interest fr
est fr
est fr
est fr
est from potential employers wisely
om potential employers wisely
om potential employers wisely
om potential employers wisely
om potential employers wisely.....
Sometimes 
how 
you go about your job search can ad-
versely affect you and the people around you. Be careful—
and courteous! Here are some guidelines that will help you
through two of the most common and challenging situations:
Situation:
You’ve been offered a job with one company
and have an interview pending with another company for a
position that interests you more. Is it acceptable to delay
your decision on the first offer?
You bet! Such a situation can be used to your advan-
tage in getting the best job at the best salary. When inter-
viewing for the second position, let the interviewer know
about the offer already received, and honestly, tactfully, and
confidently outline what it would take for you to accept a
different position (for example, a higher salary or specific
“perks”). Whatever is then offered to you, be sure to get it
in writing. Think twice before accepting the first offer that
comes along for fear that the second one won’t come
through. The fact is, you are a valuable asset to any com-
pany that hires you, and you should present yourself as such.

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Business Etiquette
Situation:
You currently are employed but are looking
elsewhere. Is it acceptable for you to give potential employ-
ers your work phone number or pager number?
No. When you are on company time, 100 percent of
your attention should be dedicated to your employer. When
scheduling interviews or making follow-up calls, do so be-
fore or after work or off-site during lunch. This is not only
the right thing to do, but it also displays your high code of
ethics to individuals who may become your superiors in the
future. By showing respect for your current employer’s time,
potential employers will know what sort of conscientious
employee they will be getting.
Key point summar
Key point summar
Key point summar
Key point summar
Key point summaryyyyy
Š
Remember that medicating yourself in front of
a business contact can be a huge etiquette blun-
der. Either take the mediation before or after
your meeting or excuse yourself when there is
an appropriate break in the proceedings.
Š
Men: If you can find a low-traffic, private area,
and you wish to shave discreetly in the after-
noon to avoid a five-o’clock-shadow look, feel
free to do so.
Š
When dealing with a colleague who is facing a
personal crisis, emphasize the personal touch
and let the other person decide what the next
step should be.
Š
Don’t approach a colleague about a hygiene
problem unless you’ve established significant
personal rapport with that person. If you do
decide to address such issues face to face, do
so in a private setting and establish yourself as
the person’s ally.

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147
Off the Beaten Path
Š
Know when and how to share a breath mint
with a colleague without giving offense.
Š
Cover your mouth with your left hand when
you feel a sneeze approaching.
Š
Planning to announce your pregnancy? Work
out a master plan beforehand; if possible, talk
to women in your organization who have faced
the same situation.
Š
If you are uncertain about your organization’s
attitudes, you may wish to keep sensitive per-
sonal information private.
Š
Make sure you leave the right first impression
at a job interview. Be prepared and pay close
attention to dress and grooming issues.
Š
Show poise, optimism, and intelligence dur-
ing the job interview itself.
Š
Handle job-related inquiries from outside your
organization with care; don’t send the wrong
signals to prospective or current employers.

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148
Business Etiquette

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149
Common Questions
Chapter 10
Common
Questions
Š
149 
Š
“A handful of action is worth more than
a bushel of theory.”
—Anonymous
n this section, we’ll take a look at some etiquette prob-
lems from the “front lines”—real, live readers of my
weekly newspaper column who took the time to con-
tact me about their own real, live etiquette problems at
work. The answers to these questions will offer you insight
into dealing with some of the more interesting variations
on day-to-day business etiquette.
And, by the way, as I mentioned in the Introduction, if
you have an etiquette question you’d like me to address,
I

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150
Business Etiquette
feel free to contact me! I realize that the advice offered in
this book can’t supply detailed responses to every possible
business etiquette challenge you may face on the job. Let
me know about the issues you’re facing at work—and I’ll
do my best to find possible solutions.
Tip #106
Tip #106
Tip #106
Tip #106
Tip #106
Help others keep industr
Help others keep industr
Help others keep industr
Help others keep industr
Help others keep industry jar
y jar
y jar
y jar
y jargon to a minimum.
gon to a minimum.
gon to a minimum.
gon to a minimum.
gon to a minimum.