Posts Tagged ‘Etiquette’

Top Office Pet Peeves via LinkedIn

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011 12:16 pm

Are you annoyed by the messy microwave or noisy co-workers chatting on their cells? You’re not alone. LinkedIn released a global survey of 17,000 workers today on the top office pet peeves. Here are the top five:

  1. People not taking ownership of their actions
  2. Constant complainers
  3. Dirty common areas
  4. Starting meetings late or going long
  5. People who don’t respond to emails

LinkedIn’s survey also found interesting correlations related to gender. For example, 62 percent of U.S. women were bothered by “clothing that’s too revealing for the workplace,” while only 29 percent of U.S. men surveyed said that was a problem (Is this really surprising?!).

There are also many cross-cultural differences. Americans are particularly bothered by people stealing food from the communal fridge. Swedes are less bothered by revealing clothing in the workplace. Germans are most annoyed by dirty common areas.

Job seekers should also take note: hiring managers were more peeved than others by people who were late.

To see the full press release, visit LinkedIn’s site.

So, what are your top office pet peeves?

Nude Stockings are Back! Thanks to Kate Middleton

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011 11:26 pm

In one shimmery stride, Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton has brought back sheer pantyhose. Well, I couldn’t feel more vindicated! Readers will know that I’ve stood by the nude stocking as a necessary wardrobe element in certain professional situations, like job interviews. Apparently, they’re royal protocol as well, which is why Kate donned them during her recent trip to Americas. You can’t deny Kate looked great in each and every one of her designer ensembles– and fashion insiders agree her nude stockings looked “elegant” not dowdy. Love it! Nude hose are now flying off the shelves in Britain. Will America be next? Just be sure to get a high-quality, lightweight sheer version, like Spanx All the Way.

Photo: Lionel Hahn – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Ask GGG: Tipping my Hairdresser during the Holidays

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010 11:15 am

Dear GGG, Can you clear up a holiday tipping rule? I’ve heard so many different things when it comes to hairdressers. Someone told me it’s the cost of one visit– but my highlights are $150– and if I tipped that much, I’d have almost no tipping budget left for anyone else this year! I’ve also heard that you’re supposed to take the cost of a blow-dry and double it. And what if your stylist actually owns the salon? Does the tradition still hold that you’re not supposed to tip the owner? Thanks! — Jane*, 36, Ft. Lauderdale

Hi Jane!

Few etiquette rules are as awkward as holiday tipping– and the hair stylist is at the top of the list. While some old-school experts still adhere to the “cost of an entire visit,” this measure is very confusing depending on what type of service you get (color vs. cut vs. regular blowdries). In practice, the custom is much more relaxed nowadays, especially given the economy. New rule: up your normal tip on your pre-holiday visit to about 50% from your normal 15 or 20%.  And while cash is king (!), many stylists told me that it’s common practice for clients to go for a more traditional gift such as a bottle of wine or gift card. About not tipping the owner, that’s also seems to be a rule that’s fallen by the wayside. Nowadays, if the owner is your regular stylist, go ahead and tip him or her!

For more info on whom to tip what this holiday season, check out some segments I did for ABC News and Good Day Atlanta on the topic.

7 Steps for Facebook Rehab

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010 8:27 am

Can everyone see those outrageous toga party photos that are on your Facebook? Do you have “mud wrestling” and “partying” as some of your favorite interests on your profile? Do you constantly update your status with complaints about your life (or worse, your job)?

If you answer YES to any of these questions and you’re on the hunt for that spectacular job then you should check into Facebook rehab…and fast.

In a 2009 survey conducted by CareerBuilder, 45 percent of employers admitted that they use Facebook to review their candidates (which about doubled from 22 percent in 2008) and 11 percent plan to use Facebook in the future to check on their interviewees.

Also from the survey, 35 percent found content on the candidates profile to cost them the possibility of landing the job. Here are the top examples, from the survey, of why candidates didn’t get hired:

  • Posted inappropriate photographs or information
  • Posted content about drinking or using drugs
  • Bad-mouthed their previous employer and co-workers
  • Expressed poor communication skills
  • Lied about qualifications

Go-Getter-Girls work too hard on creating flawless resumes and portfolios to have it all be flushed down the drain because of an inappropriate picture or comment on Facebook.

Before any interview, you polish your look and you double-check to make sure your resume and portfolio is perfect; so why isn’t that Facebook page getting the once-over when your profile is easily your online resume for anyone to see?

Here are a couple of suggestions on how to job-proof your profile:

  • Customize your own privacy settings. Go to Account, select privacy settings. Select Customize settings. Change the things you share to Friends Only or Only Me
  • Consider changing your name on your profile. Use your middle initial as your last name or use your middle name as your first name. How? Go to Account, select My Account. Under Settings, you will find “name” and select “change.”
  • Make the pictures in which you are tagged only available to yourself: You can also do this when you customize your privacy settings.
  • Delete any inappropriate photos: Think of it this way, if you don’t want your Grandma to see them then you don’t want a future employer to.
  • Info should be short and sweet.
  • Be smart about what you put on your Likes and Interests; no one really needs to know that you like “Your Mom” jokes.
  • Watch what you say on your status: Employers will not be impressed with someone who gushes their relationship problems every hour of everyday.

With these helpful tips you should be on our way out of Facebook rehab and on the right path to landing that dream job.

Erin Lucido

Ask GGG: Dating When Broke

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010 11:48 am

Dear GGG, I recently lost my job and my finances are really tight. Every time I get asked out on a date, I decline or make excuses because I can’t afford to go out! I guess I’m the type of girl who likes to pay for the popcorn when the guy pays for the movie tickets. What should I do? How can you date when you’re broke?! — Marla*, age 27, Tampa

Dear Marla, I’m so sorry to hear you lost your job. I’ll be honest: my thoughts on dating tend toward the traditional. I think the guy should pay, at least on the first handful of dates. Even if the date is inexpensive, it’s a gesture that is more about the romance (and, I’ll add that if a guy really likes you, he’ll insist on paying even if he had to borrow money to try and impress you. Ever read the book The Rules? I’m a big fan…)

This is not to say that you should show up to the date unprepared in the event that he isn’t planning to pay; we’re financially independent after all. One friend of mine refers to the “obligatory reach for the wallet” when the check comes; he’ll likely stop you before you actually take out a card! Which brings us to your dilemma. You deserve to go out and have some fun (plus, it’s never good for the self-esteem and job-hunting confidence to stay cooped up like a prisoner in your house). Ideally, I would put aside an “emergency date fund”, maybe $50-$75 so that you know you have some mad money if you’re on a first date and the guy unexpectedly asks you to go dutch. Another option is to be completely upfront about your situation when he asks you out. Say something like, “I’d love to, but my budget is really tight these days.” Definitely do NOT ask him to pay, mention money, or seem like you’re just trying to get a free meal. But you’ll see his reaction. Most guys that are really interested in you will say immediately that the date will be ‘their treat.’ Or, they will plan something unique that doesn’t cost any money. If the guy makes a big fuss one way or another, he’s probably not worth dating anyway.  On to the NEXT!!!!