Acting Professionally Matters
By Courtney BrownGraduate Fellow
Law Career Development
As law students and attorneys, we meet new people every day at school, in the court-house, and when we are invited to meetings and events. It is important to always put your best foot forward and act professionally, especially knowing that first impressions are what people are going to remember. Below is the Tip of the Week from the Culture and Manners Institute discussing etiquette outside of the workplace:
At a university's vendor training meeting, the tables were arranged in a u-shape. Across from me was another vendor, wearing flip flops, which displayed a tattoo on her foot… of the mascot of the university’s biggest rival.
If you had to pick between two vendors, all things being equal, would you select the one that's just not that into you?
Some etiquette rules for meetings outside your workplace:
Dress up out of respect for the people you are visiting. Whether you show up in a suit, business casual or a company uniform, wear clean, pressed clothing. Upgrade your footwear from flip-flops: cover up those painted toenails or hairy, Hobbit-like feet.
Arrive in a timely fashion, not fashionably late.
Be kind to the security guards, assistants and anyone else you meet on the way in and on the way out. Their good opinion carries weight. They are part of your progress.
When you arrive at the meeting room, wait until your host tells you where to sit. Whenever you are introduced to someone, stand up to greet that person.
Don't bring outside beverages into the meeting. Especially with an interview, don't carry in your carry-out coffee that you picked up on the way.
Focus on the business at hand. No texting under the table. If you need to keep your cell phone on for emergencies, just let the others in the meeting know.
If you behave professionally in meetings, you will have many happy returns.
