The Corporate Culture

1. Rank or status gives a business organisation the structure it needs to function effectively.

2. Social and corporate behaviour is more formal in a bank than an advertising agency, whereas the hustle and bustle in a newspaper office makes an advertising office seem severely structured.

3. Basically, behaviour that is grounded in good manner, will allow for discrepancies in corporate etiquette.

4. The basics of corporate etiquette begin with the job interviews.

5. You must remember that the company needs to recruit someone, and they are hoping that you are the person they are looking for.

6. Do dress up well, have a list of the points you want to make, and have a pretty good sense of how to respond - these are also assets.

7. Before you attend the interview, find out everything you can about the company - what the company does, the size of the company, whether it is a national or an international one, the general reputation, etc.

8. It is always good to dress conservatively for interviews.

9. When you enter the interview room, smile and make eye contact with your interviewer.

10. Wait until you are asked to be seated.

11. Do not fidget or handle things on the desk during the meeting.

12. Listen carefully to what you are being asked, and if a difficult question is posed, pause before answering.

13. At the end of the meeting, thank the interviewer cordially, and follow up with a note.

14. It is imperative to arrive on time.

15. Do not volunteer information you have not been asked for.

16. Always be optimistic. Use positive words like, "I am committed to excellence."

17. Your jewellery and footwear should be unobtrusive and blend well with your outfit.

18. Your portfolio briefcase should be polished and clean. It should not bulge.

19. If you are attending a business appointment, and are given the liberty to remove your jacket or coat, do so, but do not roll up your sleeves.

20. Do not dump your briefcase on the other person's desk. Keep it on your lap or stand it on the floor beside your chair.

21. Complimenting people on their appearance with sincerity is perfectly correct.

22. At the office, though, always compliment a colleague's work and not clothes

23. If someone compliments you, it is not necessary to reciprocate.

24. Never talk about the designer labels of your clothes. Do ask the other person where he or she got his or her clothes and what they cost.

25. Always thank the other person while accepting a compliment.