Thursday, September 18, 2008

The Appropriate Business Clothing

Finding The Appropriate Business Clothing The solution? KISS-Keep It Simple and Sophisticated. You want your confidence to come from your professionals abilities, but still your clothes are important. If you dress with your next position in mind you're more likely to get there. Memorize these colors: NavyCharcoal GrayBlackKhakiWhiteThese are the staple colors of every business wardrobe. Here are some guidelines for both men and women to keep in mind:In the suit world start with the basics: A navy blue wool suit and a charcoal wool suit, white shirts, black shoes, black belt, and black leather briefcase/notebook computer case. in the casual world, start with the basics: Khaki pants or skirts, white shirts, black or brown shoes and belt, and a black or brown leather and ballistic nylon briefcase/notebook computer case. Add your own touches in keeping with your company's style.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Casual Workplace Wear for Women
Keep the KISS principle in mind even with casual clothes: Keep It Simple and Sophisticated. Dark colors convey authority; bright colors convey friendliness. Light colors such as taupe and khaki are generally more casual than black, gray, or navy. Try to avoid these fashion mistakes 1. Avoid excessive use of bright color and wild patterns.2. Avoid excessive jewelry and jewelry that signals your arrival with tiny clicking sounds.3. Your shoes do not need to "match" your blouse.4. Spiky, strappy, sandals in metallic colors or with rhinestones aren't appropriate for most businesses. Nor are open-toed shoes. 5. Casual does not mean you can wear jeans. Jeans are a definite no-no in the corporate workplace unless stated otherwise in your company's dress code.

Formal Business Clothes for Women
Suits The Keys are fabric, fit and comfort.For autumn, winter and spring, wool is still the best choice. For summer cotton and linen are good choices, specially if blended with a small amount of stretchy fabric. Tropic weight wool is another good option. Navy blue, black, charcoal, taupe, white, burgundy, and forest green are all acceptable colors. Although darker colors are typically worn in winter and lighter colors are worn in the spring and summer this rule is no longer hard and fast. Some women can wear red, but oranges, yellows, bright purples, and other loud colors are best used in small amounts. Have the suit professionally fitted. Choose suits with Jackets and skirts that are appropriate for your body type. Long jackets that cover the hips are flattering for most women. Skirts The two most important things are fit and length. Make sure your skirt is not too tight or too short. Shirts Blouses made of transparent material are inappropriate. However, high-quality cotton, silk, or a microfiber material are good choices. Collars on lady's blouses are varied. Coordinate your blouse color with your suit color and choose opaque materials for business shirts.

Shoes and Accessories
Shoes In a business environment it is strongly advised to keep shoes functional, attractive, clean and shined. Keep a black Sharpie marker with you to touch up scuffed shoes. Low-healed pumps are suitable for the vast majority of business situations. Heels can be as high as an inch and a half or two inches, but much higher than that looks unprofessional. Keep the higher heels for your skirts. Two inch heels with pantsuit is too dressy for day. Open-toed shoes and mules are inappropriate in conservative environments. Stockings and Pantyhose They are both appropriate in the workplace as long as they match your clothes and your garters do not show or they are heavily patterned. Belts Belts should be leather and from one half inch to three fourths of an inch thick. Coordinate the colors with your outfits and avoid metallic belts covered with studs and jewels, and belts made with plastic or fur. Jewelry Jewelry should be worn in moderate amounts and should not attract too much attention. Keep it simple and understated.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Casual Wear for Men
Remember that business casual and Friday casual are distinct things. Business casual generally means khaki pants, a plain polo shirt or a long-sleeved button down shirt, a V-neck sweater, sometimes a sports coat or blazer and brown leather shoes. Don't forget these general guidelines:1. A short sleeve shirt is, by definition, always a casual shirt. 2. Khaki and flannel pants are casual for most businesses.3. Tank tops, shorts, and sandals are weekend wear.4. Advertising, artists, and fashion types can wear leather jackets.5. Plain shirts are best, in general; shirts with adds on them are for fishing.6. Button-down Oxford shirts are casual; T-shirts are for musicians, computer types, and mowing the lawn.7. Loafers and dark walking shoes are casual.8. Blazers and sports coats are casual for some businesses, dressy for others. The fabric should never shine or change colors in a different lighting.

Formal Business Wear for Men
Suits When choosing a suit, look first for fabric, fit, and comfort; look second for style.Your fabric should never shine or change colors in different lighting. Fabrics that are appropriate include wool, cotton, linen and various microfibers. Wool is the most versatile of the three coming in both summer or tropic weight and in a variety of fabric styles. Linen suits are popular specially during extreme heat and high humidity but it wrinkles immediately. You can choose from these basic styles (and their multiple variations): American cut: These suits can have either two or three buttons and have center-vented jackets and natural shoulders and pants with a straight line. Italian cut: These suits have unvested jackets with padded shoulders and pants that are fuller than American suits. British cut: These suits have side-vented or unvested jackets with a square shoulder, tapered waist, and pants that are narrower than both American cut and Italian cut suits.

Shoes and Accessories
Shoes Coordinate your shoe color with your suit color. Black shoes go nicely with charcoal and black or navy suits. Brown shoes match with brown and tan suits. Keep them well-shined and keep a Sharpie with you to touch up scuffed shoes. In some locations-from Texas to Nevada and north to Montana-dress cowboy boots are acceptable with suits, as long as you are a rancher, a politician or in the oil business. But be careful-most of the time cowboy boots just make you look silly. Running shoes, hiking boots, or sandals with a suit are unacceptable. Ties Follow these simple rules with ties: 1. Ties should be silk. 2. Ties should be understated. 3. Ties should be coordinated with the suit and shirt. 4. Ties should end at the top of your belt.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Dress Etiquette: What to Wear

Dress & Etiquette

How to dress appropriately and proper etiquette for meals, etc.
What is Business Casual
This page will explain what business casual is for men and women.
Executive Wardrobe Tips
These tips will help you look like an executive for interviews and other events.
Business Attire Do's & Don'ts
These dos & don'ts will help to keep you from making a mistake for interviews, informational
meetings, career fairs, etc.
Guidelines for Attire at Receptions, Presentations and Information Sessions
Simple guidelines to help you figure out what is appropriate and what isn't. Telephone Etiquette 101
Simple telephone etiquette to help you dazzle those recruiters over the phone.
Dinner Etiquette
This page not only gives you information on which fork to use, but also comes packed with images so you can picture what is written.
Rules for Business Dining
These tips will hopefully help you land that ideal job, or big contract, with a few small maneuvers at lunch. Business Etiquette & Professional Presence
This presentation goes over the basics of business etiquette.



Dress Etiquette


From corporate meetings to weddings, knowing how to dress appropriately can be quite a challenge. We understand the phrases “Casual Friday”, “Business Attire”, and “Dress Code in Effect”; however, when it comes to choosing an outfit for a special occasion not qualified by the above list, there are many variables to take into consideration when choosing the perfect outfit. You must take ownership of the challenge by using the clues you are given on the invitation, by the hostess, or by the nature of the event.
Clue Number One: the wording on the invitation. According to www.ashtonweddinginvitations.com, “it is not acceptable to put appropriate attire instructions on the invitation to the ceremony”; however, sometimes a hostess will go against this advice and indicate a dress code on her invitation.
Deciphering the notation at the bottom of the invitation takes some thought. “Black Tie” literally refers to the dress for the males in attendance, so what is a girl to do? Check out: www.drdaveanddee.com. This site defines several of the modern dress codes often found on invitations. “Cocktail”, for example, calls for “an elegant-looking dress in any colour, but no formal gowns”. “White Tie” affairs “are the most formal of all functions”. A woman should wear a long, formal dress, while her male companion should be in “Full Dress, which means a black tailcoat, black pants, and a shirt, tie and vest which are all white”.
This site has some good advice, but it also has some that is particularly too little, too late: “If the bride’s dress has a train...the wedding is formal.” When in doubt, ask someone directly involved in the event. And always remember this good advice found at http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/wedding/: a wedding is “a gathering of witnesses to the uniting of a couple in the eyes of their creator”. If you can see through your outfit, it should remain in your closet.
Clue Number Two: note the time of year, time of day, and location indicated on the invitation. A beach or outdoor wedding location means that you must also take the elements into consideration. A “brunch” reception or “afternoon tea” calls for an outfit that is quite different from a “cocktail reception”. If you long for some nostalgic, old fashioned advice, log on to: www.bartleby.com which offers the full text of Emily Post’s Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home. Keep in mind that this was written in 1922. You will invariably find yourself chuckling at some of the advice. The advice Post offers on how to wear one’s hair at a ball is very amusing.
She believed that women should wear their hair “done” every day, so it is not necessary to get it “done” for a special occasion, noting that “the only time [your hair] is arranged differently is for riding." Later on she redeems herself with advice on tiaras.
Clue Number Three: people are pointing and laughing at you. Unfortunately, it is too late to change. To simplify all the guesswork in advance, here is a short Dictionary for Dressing. This list offers a brief description of what one typically wears to certain events.
WHITE TIE: long, formal dress, jewels
BALL: long sleeveless gown, tiara optional
BLACK TIE: long dress, sleeves optional, minimal elegant jewelry (i.e.:pearls)
FORMAL: similar to black tie (a.k.a: Black Tie Optional)
EVENING: elegant dress (tea or street length) or pant suit
COCKTAIL: elegant-looking dress in any colour, not floor length
GARDEN: element-appropriate dress, more casual, hosiery optional
BRUNCH: skirt and blouse/twin-set
TEA: skirt and blouse
Written By: Tracey Lord
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Thursday, August 21, 2008

Top 10 list of SMS etiquetteText messaging is one of the simplest and most useful means of mobile communication. No one can doubt the popularity of text messaging and short messaging service (SMS) in particular - more than 50 billion SMS messages were sent across the world's GSM networks in the first quarter of 2001, a fivefold increase over the previous year - and there's no slowdown in sight.
ESPOO, Finland, June 29 -- A text messaging (and mobile phone use in general) grows in popularity, excitement over using new technology clashes head-on with common courtesy, not surprisingly giving rise to a mobile-phone manners backlash. So to help you avoid SMS miscues and text-message missteps, TheFeature.com composed a top 10 list of texting guidelines.
Common courtesy still rules. Contrary to popular belief, composing an SMS while you're in a face-to-face conversation with someone is just about as rude as taking a voice call.
Remember that SMS is informal. SMS shouldn't be used for formal invitations or to dump your girlfriend or boyfriend. The casualness of SMS diminishes the strength and meaning of the message.
Don't get upset if you don't get a reply. Before you text someone and get frustrated at the lack of a response, be sure that they're familiar with how to use the service, and that their carrier will accept messages from yours.
Be aware of your tone. It is extremely difficult to discern tone in text messages, just as in e-mail. What seems to you to be a completely innocuous message may be grossly misinterpreted by the recipient, causing certain discomfort if not irreparable harm.
Don't SMS while you're driving. Talking on the phone is bad enough. You won't know what hit you - or what you hit - if you are pounding out a message on your keyboard.
Leave the slang to the kids. Don't expect your stodgy superiors at work to be hip to the lingo of the SMS streets. And don't expect to win points with your kids by trying to be cool, either.
Remember that SMS can be traced. Anonymous messages - if you must send them -are still best sent from Web sites.
Be conscientious of others' schedules. Don't assume that because you are awake, working, not busy, or sober that the person you're texting is as well. Many a pleasant slumber have been interrupted by recurring "beep-beep...beep-beeps" of messages.
If it's immediate, make a voice call. If you can't get through and your text message is ignored, there's probably a good reason. There are still some times when people don't even have a thumb free to respond.
Remember that your phone does have an off button. There are very, very few things in the world that absolutely cannot wait.


How to Use Proper Text Message Etiquette
By Kelly185
The text message is a widely popular communications method of our generation. Anyone with a cell phone can participate in text messaging and many mobile carriers include texts in their wireless plans. Not only are texts convenient, they are downright fun! However, to avoid annoying friends, coworkers, or family members, it's wise to heed proper text messaging etiquette.

Step1One of the most important rules in text messaging etiquette is keeping your phone on vibrate when at work or in a quiet public place such as a movie theater. Nothing is more annoying than the perpetual texter who doesn't silence there phone. No one wants to hear your text beep every five minutes.
Step2Text messaging can be a great means to keep in touch with importants in your life while at work or school, but keep it to a minimum. Your boss, professor, or teacher don't appreciate you punching out digital messages when you have other duties to fulfill.
Step3Keep them short and sweet. If you need to write someone an in-depth message, send an email. Otherwise, give them a ring or see them in person. Long texts can be confusing or tough to respond to.
Step4Text messages can be a viable means of communication. If you know a friend is at work or in a meeting, being courteous and sending a text such as "Can you call me when you get the chance?" is a great alternative to calling their phone directly.
Step5Use fun graphics, but don't be a "smiley freak." There is nothing quite like getting a wink or kiss from a partner or spouse via text message, as this encourages flirtation and fun. But, reserve smiley's for a few text messages to keep your messages special.
Step6Consider your wireless plan costs. If upgrading to a different mobile plan includes unlimited texts and you're an avid textaholic, this may be worth the extra cost.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't text someone in the middle of the night, unless you know them well. A text can ring just as loudly as calling the person.
Never send chain texts. Just like forwarded emails and chain letters annoy email recipients, chain texts do the same.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Cell Phone Etiquette

By Joanna L. Krotz
I'm a New Yorker — born, bred and proud of it. So when I say it's time to dial down on all this rude and infernal yakking on mobile phones, you'll understand that it comes with a high tolerance for urban chatter and in-your-face attitude.
Loutish cell use is out of control. Mobile phones now ring at weddings and funerals, job interviews and surgical procedures. No event is immune.
During Broadway shows, it's not uncommon to hear the unmistakable ring tones of, say, the William Tell Overture going off. It got so bad a while back that the New York City Council actually had to pass a law, banning cell phone use during live performances and in museums. Violators risk a $50 fine. But, of course, that was just symbolic. Who could afford the time and resources to actually enforce it?
Everywhere I go, from avenues to airports, from elevators to the bank, from conference
rooms to restaurants, mobile addicts are blurting out steady streams of shocking and confidential revelations. Who needs to know all the intimate and creepy things we're now forced to overhear?
Mobile madness
Boorish cell use isn't limited to social venues, either. It's corrupting the most basic of business courtesies. Every executive has a "Can you beat this?" cell story. But Mary Westheimer, founder of Bookzone.com, offers one totally over the top. At a Publishers Marketing Association conference, a panel member was presenting his part of the event. "His cell phone rang and he stopped his presentation and answered his phone!"
"People are defining new rules and new behavior for what's personal and what's private," says Robbie Blinkoff, principal anthropologist at Context-Based Research Group, a Baltimore marketer that relies on ethnographic fieldwork for insights into consumer behavior. "Technological change leads
to social change, but there's always a lag," he says.
Maybe. But manners aren't improving with increased use. About 72% of Americans agree that users' worst cell phone habit is having loud conversations in public, according to a recent national poll by market research group Synovate. Almost seven out of 10 (68%) said they observe poor cell phone etiquette at least once every day.
"I suspect the functionality and ease-of-use of these devices lead us to become lazy and to
lose awareness of ourselves, others and our surroundings," said Steve Levine at Synovate, when the study was released.
Cell phones aren't the issue
Let me be clear. I think mobile phones rank up there with the invention of the steam engine and ice cream. As we all know too well, mobiles can be critical in keeping us safe and connected. Technology and its myriad benefits are not the issue. People are.
Gartner Group predicts that one billion mobile phones will be sold worldwide in the year 2009. The decibel level is rising. So are transgressions and intrusions — and car accidents. At any given time, about 3% of people driving are simultaneously talking on their mobiles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which translates into millions of distracted drivers. Unnecessary mobile talk is increasingly fatal, even when carried on hands-free, according to the latest studies.
Perhaps it's time to turn serious about mobile manners.
Send a message
Technology and manners are compatible. For example, most Web users are up-to-speed on e-mail etiquette, even Gen Y teens, the poster kids for iPod culture. Wireless users must evolve. Sure, there are a handful of folks who must take calls no matter where, no matter what — say, heads of state or expectant fathers. But virtually everyone can turn on the vibrate option, depend on voice-mail messages or head for a secluded area before pressing "send."
If, as anthropologist Blinkoff promises, the mobile lifestyle is creating "a phantom sense of proximity," then we must hew to new dos and don'ts. Here's my 10-point plan.
1. Never take a personal mobile call during a business meeting. This includes interviews and meetings with co-workers or subordinates.
2. Maintain at least a 10-foot zone from anyone while talking.
3. Never talk in elevators, libraries, museums, restaurants, cemeteries, theaters, dentist or doctor waiting rooms, places of worship, auditoriums or other enclosed public spaces, such as hospital emergency rooms or buses. And don't have any emotional conversations in public — ever.
4. Don't use loud and annoying ring tones that destroy concentration and eardrums. Grow up!
5. Never "multi-task" by making calls while shopping, banking, waiting in line or conducting other personal business.
1. Keep all cellular congress brief and to the point.
2. Use an earpiece in high-traffic or noisy locations. That lets you hear the amplification, or how loud you sound at the other end, so you can modulate your voice.
3. Tell callers when you're talking on a mobile, so they can anticipate distractions or disconnections.
4. Demand "quiet zones" and "phone-free areas" at work and in public venues, like the quiet cars on the Amtrak Metroliner.
5. Inform everyone in your mobile address book that you've just adopted the new rules for mobile manners. Ask them to do likewise. Please.


The Ten Commandments of cell phone etiquette By Dan Briody
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