Making Etiquette Easy: Facebook Profile

Image from www.facebook.com

Balancing both work life and personal life on social networking sites has become quite a tricky web. If not monitored from a professional eye, unintended consequences can unravel both sides of your life as quickly as the click of a mouse. Because Facebook mixes personal and professional lives unlike strictly business-related sites such as LinkedIn, it requires more mindful posting.

Here are some things to remember to assure your online reputation is free from scrutiny:

The Profile Pic: Facebook, contrary to what some believe, cannot be 100% personal by nature. Anything posted for the world to see is never "personal." With more and more employers counting on this tool to discover more about future hires, it is crucial that you keep your profile image appropriate and professional (or at least neutral). Avoid pictures with costumes, in bathing suits, before going out to a nightclub in a slinky dress (ladies), glamour shots, or cartoon-like pictures. A look through your current ‘friends list’ should help you spot the no-no’s. If you are tagged inappropriately in photographs, remove the tag and contact the ‘poster’ to remove the images that include you at all.

The Info Section: Thanks to Facebooks’ improved privacy settings, you can control who views your interests. You may consider allowing certain groups of people to see what you recreationally like to do on the weekends, while keeping religious and political affiliations hidden. A description of you should be concise and clear. Avoid using it as a bragging tool, and be mindful not to make anything too personal.

Not only are employers searching social sites for background information before and after hiring, but I read recently where 66 percent of attorney's surveyed surveyed by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) called Facebook the leader for online divorce evidence followed by MySpace (15 percent) and Twitter (5 percent) - Facebook users evidently provide a wealth of incriminating information for more than one audience.

Inputing links and updates: Use this to share information about your expertise and interests. People love to do business with people that they feel a greater connection to, be it in person or online. It is not a platform to use obscene language, link to random or irrelevant sites, or post inappropriate photographs. Know when to draw the line on posting—people tend to get bored when they hear from you too much. Keep information interesting, appropriate, and newsworthy. Remember, a first impression can only be made once and your reputation is crucial to a successful and meaningful career.

Making Etiquette Easy,

Susan K. Medina

Making Etiquette Easy: Desk Decibels

We’ve all had days where we just want to rock out to our favorite song, but there’s a reason there are quiet signs in libraries and a silent standard in most offices. Productivity and concentration stand a chance in calm environments, which is why it’s important to follow the ‘unspoken’ code of silence at work:

· Conversing with Coworkers: If people who office down the hall from you can comment on a conversation you’re having with your neighbor, you’re probably being too loud. Learn the art of tactfully shutting your door or lowering your voice.

· Making Music: Even though you might love Metallica, they aren’t the front runner for most popular bands to listen to on company time. Make sure you ask your coworkers if music distracts them; if you decide to play music, keep the volume low and keep the music selection neutral.

Your office mates will appreciate it and so will you next time they turn up their favorite song (that's probably not yours).

· Making Etiquette Easy,

Susan K. Medina

Making Etiquette Easy: Workplace Weddings

When you or your daughter/son are about to tie the knot, it’s hard not to get everyone wrapped up in the excitement of the big day—including your coworkers. And even though you enjoy most of them, it's understandable if you don’t have the space or the moolah to have them all attend the big day. So what is/isn’t okay to say and do in regards to the upcoming nuptials in a professional environment:

Most people understand that they most likely won’t be invited if they aren’t a personal friend outside of work. However, it’s always fair to start spreading the news that the wedding will be mostly family and intimate or that (unfortunately) it’s all about budget, budget, budget. The news will spread and the mystery will die down.

Some coworkers may offer to host a shower in your honor at the office. This is the only exception to the rule that all shower attendees must be invited to the wedding. It’s a good way for the people you see everyday to honor the event, as long as everyone’s clear that not everyone could be invited.

The best thing is to be upfront about your invitation intentions from the get-go. If you intend on inviting your boss or some coworkers and not others, be sure to send the invitations to their home address, never pass them out at work.

Making Etiquette Easy,

Susan K. Medina

Making Etiquette Easy: Valentines and Dating

It’s almost Valentines Day, which is a perfect time to look at some dating etiquette tips in today’s workspace. Let’s face it, when you put a group of people together in an office and have them interacting day in and day out, a pair or two is bound to wind-up dating. And, no matter the innocent or humble beginnings, there is always an obstacle course in the road ahead. If you choose to fore go the advice to avoid dating a coworker at all costs, be sure to keep the following tips in mind:

· Know your boundaries. Some companies have policies outlining how dating is or isn’t allowed in the work environment between coworkers. If dismissal is the bottom line, you should weigh the importance of your job against the unknowns of a potential relationship.

· Use discretion. Even if you’re madly in love, the office is no playground to display any form of affection. PDA and other forms of flaunting feelings only lead to unprofessional reputations and awkward moments that you’ve surely witnessed from the other side.

· It’s not in the details. Gossip is a minefield in an office- even for the most trusting of individuals. Know that if you choose to include some coworkers on the details, it’s likely you have just shared those intimate details with the whole office.

· On the clock. When you’re at work, you’re at work. Don’t send personal “love” emails on company time, especially with your company email address. Be mindful of showing up late on the same days, and if you’re on the same team, know that same-schedule vacations may not be an option.

· All are created equal. Whether you’re dating your superior, inferior, or counterpart, don’t exercise preferential treatment. Raises, praises, and promotions should be reserved for those who truly deserve it—fairly. Favoritism is the kiss of death in office relationships.

· It’s getting serious. If things are going really well and there’s a permanent future for you and your office love, it would be wise to consider that one of you look for another place of employment. In the long run, it is respectable and will eliminate the chatter that will inevitably follow both of your careers.

· It’s a dead end road. If the relationship (sigh) ends in animosity, you’ve dug your own hole. It is uncomfortable at best, but you must find a way to work peaceably in the same environment without saying anything negative about your ex. The walls of an office are paper-thin and it’s equally as humiliating for each involved party. The trick is to say as little as possible and stay focused on your work.

Making Etiquette Easy,

Susan K. Medina

Making Etiquette Easy: Cell Phones in the Workplace

You used to catch people in meetings with their heads down only if they were sleeping…well not anymore. People have become notorious for checking emails, call logs, and texting during any and every business meeting conducted. Hey, I'll admit it, I'm guilty as charged myself. So how do we break our digital leash and where do we draw the line at work?

As tempting as it is, don't take a mobile call during a business meeting, regardless of the seniority or lack there of in attendance. If you are expecting an important call, it is appropriate to let your coworkers know in advance. Only in this situation - and a legitimate emergency - is it appropriate to take the call.

When you do make a call, be sure to talk from at least five-six feet away from your nearest coworker. It’s not fair to them to have to listen to your business and it also complicates a focused work environment. Keep calls as brief and to the point as possible.

Keep your phone set to silent or vibrate during office hours. We’ve all been embarrassed while scrimmaging through our purses or pockets to desperately find the ‘off’ button. If you must use a ring tone at any point, make sure it is appropriate and not abrasive. I'll never forget the time someones cell phone rang in a meeting with the ring tone "baby got back..."

Try not to multitask while using your cell phone. People will appreciate your time more if you give them all of your attention once you are done.

Do not, under any circumstances, answer your cellphone in the restroom. It is a breech of privacy for anyone already in the restroom, as well as socially awkward for the person on the other line. Some places really are cell-free zones.

Making Etiquette Easy,

Susan K. Medina

Making Etiquette Easy: Text Me

Ahhhh, technology. Text messaging is a conveniently sly mechanism for allowing us to connect with anyone at any time without obligation. Perhaps we use it when we are avoiding a confrontation, when it’s really ‘too late to call,’ or when we only have a minute, but really want to reach out to a friend. As texting is aligning itself with email in today’s business environment, here are a few things to consider when contacting coworkers or clients using this medium:

NO TXT JARGON: I'm guilty of this and am working hard to stop my use of txt jargon (oops). Try not use common text abbreviations—and there are thousands—from LOL to NVM, they set the tone for an unprofessional conversation. It is the equivalent of using harsh slang in English. If you think about it, it doesn’t take much more time to type the whole word.

Grammer City: Though there isn’t an auto spell check on most phones, it’s important to keep everything accurate. People judge people by their spelling- it’s just a true fact of life.

In a Bundle: When you send out a group text regarding business activities, such as a change in meeting time, etc, address the text as you would to the most formal recipient on the list.

Timing is Everything: People tend to text message much later into the night than they would phone someone. It’s important to realize that phones are attached at the hip, and that there is a chance of waking someone up. Try to text only normal working hours.

Making Etiquette Easy,

Susan K. Medina