Research shows 86 percent of recruiters look at social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace to learn more about job applicants and 44% don't hire applicants based on their findings.
"What you say and do on-line is just as important as what you say and do in the workplace. Whether you're job hunting or gainfully employed inappropriate behavior can be a deal-breaker," says Pamela Eyring, president of The Protocol School of Washington, global leader in business etiquette and international protocol since 1988 and the first school of its kind in America to become accredited in December 2009.
To spotlight the importance of business etiquette, specially in today's digital age, PSOW (www.psow.edu) is sponsoring the fourth annual National Business Etiquette Week June 1-7 offering tips and advice to help professionals recognize and combat bad behavior and act more professional. Historically, 85% of job success is connected to people skills including sending a hand-written thank you note after a job interview to show respect and distinguish yourself from the competition.
Top 5 Social Media Myths
1. FB is personal (FB is now used by businesses from solo shops to the
Fortune 50)
2. FB is private (default privacy settings are minimal - select privacy
settings manually)
3. Only my followers read my Twitter posts (the Library of Congress has
started collecting Twitter posts as a way to record history)
4. Recruiters Don't Look at MySpace or YouTube (recruiters look
everywhere)
5. My FB profile and pix can be deleted (even deactivated content remains
on FB's server)
Top 5 Most Hated Business Behaviors Internationally(2)
1. Using swear words (79%)
2. Arriving at work and not acknowledging fellow workmates (77%)
3. Speaking loudly across the room (66%)
4. Not offering guests a beverage (51%)
5. Taking calls on speakerphone (47%)
Top 5 Business Etiquette Mistakes & How to Correct Them
1. Unprofessional office attire (dress two levels above your position)
2. Improper handshake (use a firm, web-to-web handshake)
3. Poor eye contact (make eye contact 40% - 60% of the time in between the
eye brows)
4. Poor dining skills (when in doubt watch the host)
5. Cell phone rudeness (keep phones on vibrate and use your library voice)
Business Etiquette On-Line