Basic Business Etiquette
for Young Designers

Before the Interview

Find the directions and any parking
issues on your own.
Don’t ask how to get there,
or be late because you got lost.
Use Google Maps

If it’s a morning meeting, get up
an hour early. Give yourself time
to be unhurried.
Five minutes early is on time.

Personal Grooming

No shorts,

flip flops,
image: flip flop fanatic

or t-shirts.
Designers wear
shirts with collars.

Make sure your
shoes are shined,

your clothes
are pressed,

you have no holes
in your socks,

Comb your hair.
Don’t wear a jaunty hat.

Keep your
portfolio
case clean.

You dress for where you want to be in life,
not where you are.

At the Interview

Be confident, not arrogant.

Stop, look, and listen.
Pay attention to what is being said,
watch the body language, and take time
to answer a question.

Bring your laptop with a pdf. or Keynote
presentation of your work.
Don’t rely on wifi to access your site.
Bring physical examples in good shape.

Bring your resumé and letters of
recommendation, business card,
and a small leave behind.

Stand up when anyone enters the room
Shake his or her hand and introduce yourself
immediately.
Never say, “You don’t remember me, do you?”

Make an interesting observation
about the company, such as,
“The X project you did is one of
my favorites.”

Ask how much time the interviewer has.
Check as you go through the work, ask
“How are we on time?”

When finished, thank him or her for the time.
Stand up and shake hands.

After the Interview

Write a thank you email and written note.
Mail the physical note.

Dear Ms. Jones:
Thank you so much for seeing me today.
I know how busy you are and appreciate
the time you gave me. I would be honored
to work for XYZ Company and hope to
hear from you soon.
Sincerely
Jane Smith

The Job Offer

If you get the job, write or email everyone
who helped along the way and inform them
of the positive news.

You’ve been offered a job, but have other
options still open. What do you do?

Be honest. Explain that you are looking at
another or several offers and will have a
decision for them by a certain time. Don’t
leave someone hanging.

On the Job

Common Mistakes:
Chewing gum
Texting, email, or telephone personal calls
Incessant talking
Lateness
Sick days
Messy desk and area

Positive actions:
Learn how to answer the telephone and what
the correct response is to any question.
Ask questions if you don’t understand.
Take initiative.
Be early.
Work efficiently.
Always ask for a timeframe.

When you make a mistake:
Follow the three “R”s:
Recognize
Remorse
Rectify

Recognize the error:
“I understand I made a mistake here.”

Show remorse.
“I am sorry.”

Rectify the problem:
“I’ll stay late and work on the weekend to
correct this error.”

Compliment others generously:
It must be true or it sounds like pandering.
You can’t say, “Your haircut looks great.”
if it’s clearly a disaster.”

Be gracious to everyone:
The ass you kick on the way up
is the one you kiss on the way down.

Social Etiquette

Rule One: Always make others comfortable.
This is why etiquette rules exist.

Always open the door for others.
Go first in a revolving door to push it.
Don’t groom yourself or others in public.

At a restaurant or meal
Stand when others arrive at a lunch or dinner.

Your guest sits
looking out
in a restaurant.

The place setting left to right:
BMW: Bread, Meal, Water

Put your napkin in your lap the minute you sit.
Never start eating until everyone is served.
Don’t talk and eat at the same time.

Never use your cell phone at the table,
for anything, ever.

Important
Hold the knife and fork correctly.
Practice every hour if necessary.

image: forbes.com

image: forbes.com

If you eat a bone, something rotten, or olive pit,
discreetly remove it with your napkin and set it
on the edge of the plate.

If you need to leave the table, say
“Please excuse me.” not “Excuse Me!”
which is a command.
Lay your napkin on your seat, not the table.

When you are finished, place your fork and
knife on the plate at the 4:00 position.

image: forbes.com

Thank your host.

Refer to Amy Vanderbilt’s Complete
Guide to Etiquette frequently.
Newer etiquette guides are too lenient.