THE BEGINNING

Welcome to my blog! 

I decided to create this blog in order to offer direction, knowledge and advice in social encounters. Why? Because besides the classroom education aspect of someone’s skills and knowledge, manners and etiquette have equal value to advance in someone’s career.
Last week I attended an event where Business students networked with Marketing professionals. In general the event went fine. The keynote speaker, Bib Patel, gave the undergraduate students an excellent message on developing their future. Even I felt moved with his words. We all would’ve wanted to have this type of events or messages when we were 20 years old, moreover have the opportunity to meet experienced professionals to offer us feedback or advice. I didn’t have this, maybe others were lucky enough to have it. What I did have however, was the education that refers to how to conduct ourselves in a correct, polite and well manner. Yes, that one that your parents taught you (I hope), say please, thank you, etc… I have also learned so many other things either in books, social encounters and even TV. That has been very important in my career and I would like to share with you these practical and useful tips.

Every aspect of yourself: what you do, what you say, your reactions… everything says something about you and opens a window into your true self.

EPISODE ONE. Let’s start from the beginning!
Handshake- This shows your confidence believe it or not. Do you extend your whole hand, just the fingers? Do you want to remove it quickly? Are you sweaty, oily or sticky? When I was studying my undergraduate degree, one of my Management professors organized a card exchange for the Winter Holidays, everybody had to participate. At the end of the course, late December, we were all prepared with our cards, the professor sat at the back of the classroom and said that we all would take turns in the front to exchange cards with a handshake. Of course all of us were giggling and having fun but after 5 couples were on the front, the professor stood up and started to point out that we shouldn’t be joking, that as a future professional we needed to develop certain rectitude. We stop laughing as he pointed out all the mistakes. Remember:

• Always offer a firm handshake with the whole hand and look the person in the eyes, smile. Firm doesn’t mean try to break their bones! Especially men to women. Note: If you just give the fingers it just shows you as shy and lack of confidence. 
• If you have sweaty palms – it is normal if you are nervous. Try the sanitizing gel just right before entering a room or having an interview as the alcohol will dry them out. 
• Clean hands are a must. NO dirt in the fingernails. Cut your nails properly, both men and women. 

Voice- Speak at a normal volume and tone, shy people tend to mumble and speak very softly which is very difficult for the other person to hear. If you have this problem, practice on your mirror, or in everyday activities as ordering fast food or paying with the cashier. Speak articulating and at a good pace and volume.

Introduce yourself when meeting someone new.- Take the initiative. Hi my name is…. This is where you need to create your elevator pitch. Try a conversation starter. Ask about the common ground. How do you know the host? or about the event? etc.. I’m with author Jeanne Martinet on the fact that NEVER use “what do you do for a living?” for a conversation starter, it can be a dead end. What if the person has just lost their job, or if the job is something boring or unattractive to you, let’s say you meet a coroner who does autopsies for a living; you have a dead end as you will feel inclined to listen to talk about it, remember , you asked. First, develop rapport then you can move forward to career talk.

Stay tuned for EPISODE TWO next week