Business Etiquette Basics » Business Communication

How to Build Rapport Like A Pro (And Convey Charisma)

Theresa Delgado — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:53:47 +0000

Learning how to build rapport like a seasoned pro isn’t hard.

Building rapport with clients or other business partners will help you to connect better and eventually grow your sphere of influence.

Basically, you just need a few solid rapport building techniques and you’ll find yourself developing super business contacts in no time.

Here are 6 tips to enhance your business communication skills and build rapport with your network.

1. Smile

You look fantastic, now you just need the final wardrobe accessory…a smile. Always smile when you’re meeting someone, people respond better to a friendly face.

2. Remember Names

Repeat the individual’s name when you’re introduced and say it again when you’re saying goodbye this conveys interest (and people love to hear their name).

3. Firm Handshake

A firm handshake helps to make a great first impression and expresses trust.

4. Make Eye Contact

Eye contact shows you’re interested in the individual and communicates confidence.

5. Match Speech Speed & Volume

Mirroring speech patterns is a plus because people will feel you’re “tracking” with them and establishes a bond.

6. Find Similarities

People like people similar to themselves and in turn they’ll be more receptive to you.

So you see, learning how to build rapport is really quite simple. Once you incorporate these 6 tips in to your conversations, you’ll find business communications go even smoother. Clients and business partners will bond with you and you’ll be able to grow your network and your business with solid relationships.

One More Thought

While you’re at it, why not try these tips out in your personal interactions and see how people respond. Chances are your personal relationships will also benefit (who knows, they could result in business contacts too).

What do you think? What other “rapport builders” would you include? Leave your tips and comments in the box below.

How to Build Rapport Like A Pro (And Convey Charisma) is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

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How to Build Your Brand

How to Write a Job Application Email That Gets Attention

Theresa Delgado — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Brush up your job application email skills and stand out!

If you’ve been out of the job market for a awhile, it’s a whole new environment. Not only do you have to contend with hundreds of other job candidates, but you have to brush up on how to present your job application, so it get the attention it deserves.

Today the internet has more or less taken over the job search market. When someone wants to find a job, they don’t go to the newspaper, but Craigslist, Monster or LinkedIn.

Because of this, it’s becoming increasingly more and more important for candidates to learn how to write job applications that stand out.

It’s important to remember that many of these job positions will receive dozens, even hundreds of applications, often within just a few days of posting their listing.

If you want to stand a chance of getting the job, you need to be able to cut through all that clutter and make an impression on the recruiter.

Here’s how to do that.

Start With an Attention Catching Subject

The first thing a recruiter’s going to do when he checks his email is scan through all the subjects. Your subject needs to jump out and grab his attention.

Try to highlight just one thing about you that might interest the recruiter.

For example, if you’re applying for a programming job, good subjects might include:

“Former Google Employee”
“Security Expert Fluent in 7 Programming Languages”
“Programmer Who Gets Things Done – Examples Inside”

The Body Copy

Your first sentence and your first paragraph is your most important chance to get their attention. Present the most powerful things you have going for you as quickly and concisely as possible.

If you have a reference or a contact in common, state that right upfront. For someone who’s getting a lot of emails, knowing someone they know can make a big difference.

Often times arranging your best points in bullet format will make reading easier than in paragraph format. Also, your paragraphs should be short, not huge block of sentences. Huge block are hard to read and people just don’t have time. More on this in the next point…

Keep it Short

It’s tempting to want to go into all kinds of details about yourself and why you’d be a good candidate. Refrain from doing so.

Have no more than 4 short paragraphs or 3 medium paragraphs in your email. Your whole email should be about half a page long, perhaps even less.

Remember: Recruiters are scanning many emails at once. They don’t have the time to read your whole email in depth.

Make it short and concise. If you get the interview, you can give all the details then.

Have a Visually Appealing Resume

What looks good on a computer screen and what looks good on paper are slightly different.

On a computer screen, you can use just a tad bit more graphics to spruce up your resume without it looking tacky.

Definitely use a PDF attachment rather than a DOC attachment. It just comes off much more professional. If you have a cover letter, just put it in the same document as your resume as the first page. Don’t use two attachments.

Quick Tip: How do you create a PDF?

Have your document open.

Select to Print. Select PDF (see image below).

Select Save as PDF.

Hocus-pocus, now your Word document is in PDF format!

When you combine all of these suggestions together, you’ll present yourself as a great candidate and your application will get the attention it deserves. The job search process is just that, a process. You will find a great opportunity, however, it requires persistence, consistence, and patience.

How to Write a Job Application Email That Gets Attention is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

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Your Appearance Impacts Your Career

Theresa Delgado — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 17:21:06 +0000

via careerealism.com

“Remember the good old days of high school? How the clothing you wore really defined your image?

Surprise! The work world isn’t much different. The only thing that has changed is that for the most part, no one is going to say anything directly to you about what you wear…they simply won’t hire or promote you if the image that you project doesn’t fit within the company culture.

What we wear and our appearance DOES impact our career, from the first few seconds in an interview to what you choose from your closet on a daily basis.

Sound trivial? It is, but as the employer sees it: it isn’t.”

Your Appearance Impacts Your Career is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

10 Secrets to Successfully Grow Your LinkedIn Network

Theresa Delgado — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 15:57:10 +0000

via careerealism.com

“LinkedIn is the premier business networking site for job-seekers at all levels and all ages.

There are some things newbies need to know about LinkedIn, though, before it will be valuable as a job search tool.

In fact, whatever you’re using LinkedIn for, you should follow these 10 tips.”

10 Secrets to Successfully Grow Your LinkedIn Network is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

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10 Ways to Stand Out at Work

Theresa Delgado — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 15:04:03 +0000

via careerealism.com

“Nowadays, it seems like many employees at work really zone in on the job requirements of their position.

Some employees will make sure they stick within their job requirements and do not do much more. Others will work very hard at their job and excel in it. However, there is a minority group of employees who really step up and contribute in any way they can.

If you want a chance to advance in your company, you will have to be a part of that latter group.

If you do your job and do it well, you will brand yourself into a person really good in that job. However…”

10 Ways to Stand Out at Work is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

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Manage Stress at Work With 1 Strategy

Theresa Delgado — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 15:53:09 +0000

via careerealism.com

“Having written an entire workbook teaching people how to reduce the “frazzle” of life, it always surprises me when I stumble on a new stress management technique that actually works.

Sure, there’s always some new fangled idea floating around. Unfortunately, more often than not, I find such ideas are full of promise but lack the substance to really make them worthwhile.

This is why I’m so excited to share my latest discovery and how it came about.

Here’s the story:”

Manage Stress at Work With 1 Strategy is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

30 Seconds to Make a First Impression

Theresa Delgado — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 13:42:13 +0000

via careerealism.com

“Psychology Today says we process small clues, everything from tone of voice to posture, and in a snap we form a larger picture in our minds.

This means that hiring managers may draw conclusions, and finalize their opinions, in under a minute.

One study found that people shown 20 second video segments of job applicants formed similar opinions to hiring managers who were given 20 full minutes with the applicants.

Now that’s a snap decision.”

30 Seconds to Make a First Impression is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

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Social Media NO-NOs!

Theresa Delgado — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 15:35:08 +0000

via careerealism.com

“How your brand can be compromised and your reputation tarnished if you don’t pay attention to the basic rules of netiquette. Don’t risk losing the respect of your followers, watch this session to learn the right way to use social media today!”

Social Media NO-NOs! is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

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How to Use Social Media in Your Job Search

8 Secrets to Moving Up the Corporate Ladder

Theresa Delgado — Sat, 28 May 2011 17:46:04 +0000

via careerealism.com

“For career newbies especially, my recommendation is to always focus on positive work behaviors you can start practicing now. When the time comes, moving up the corporate ladder will seem effortless. This is because you do what is right and focus on the positive. Bosses will notice and when the right time comes, the promotion you want is just a natural next step.”

Here are 8 straightforward work behaviors for moving up the corporate ladder

8 Secrets to Moving Up the Corporate Ladder is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

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How to Break the Ice at Networking Events

Theresa Delgado — Sat, 14 May 2011 17:41:08 +0000

via careerealism.com

“Many job seekers I often speak with are intimidated by networking events. It’s not that they do not want to network; it’s that they don’t know how to approach people they don’t know.

As much as we all want to know how others can help us, when networking, it’s not recommended for you to go straight into pitching. It’s a turnoff to many people, especially when you don’t know the person.”

Here are 5 ways to break the ice at networking events and approach people

How to Break the Ice at Networking Events is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

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5 Surefire Ways to Prevent Procrastination

Theresa Delgado — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:01:16 +0000

via careerealism.com

“How do you prevent procrastination? By doing it NOW, as soon as you remember it and as soon as you reach the item in your to-do list. Do not give yourself any excuse or reason why it has to wait or why it can wait.

Once you get started doing, there is no stopping the habit. It takes good self-discipline in order to prevent procrastination. It’s difficult telling yourself to do it now.

But this behavior can be habituated just as you get into a habit of procrastinating. You can also habituate yourself into doing this immediately. So how do you start this habit of doing things now?”

5 Surefire Ways to Prevent Procrastination is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

5 Sure-Fire Ways to Make Networking Work for You

Theresa Delgado — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 15:02:17 +0000

via careerealism.com

“Everyone has been telling you to network in your job search, right? What exactly does that mean, though? How does talking to people about the fact you don’t have a job get you a job?”

Read 5 Ways to Make Networking Work for You

5 Sure-Fire Ways to Make Networking Work for You is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

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Is Your E-mail Address Sabotaging You?

Theresa Delgado — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 17:23:06 +0000

via careerealism.com

“Have you done an audit on your e-mail address lately? I don’t mean opening up your account and looking for messages. I mean taking a closer look at the actual e-mail address you are using.”

“…an e-mail address could potentially torpedo your job search before you even get it off the ground because the one you are using doesn’t project a professional image.”

Click here for 5 Crucial Email Address Naming Tips for Professionals.

Is Your E-mail Address Sabotaging You? is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

Why Networking in Person Still Matters

Theresa Delgado — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:10:42 +0000

via careerealism.com

“The past four years, so much emphasis and shifting has gone to the web/online world because that is where the growth and movement trends are. In-person networking has taken a hit, as evidenced with down enrollment in chambers, fee based networking events and professional organizations. It’s not that people don’t want to go; it’s simply been a matter of finances, or is it? Are we substituting an e-mail, tweet, post or text for live in person activities thinking that is going to grow relationships?”

Click here to read Why it is important to blend your online and offline activities.

Why Networking in Person Still Matters is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

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4 Tips for Networking with Strangers on Linkedin

Theresa Delgado — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 13:00:12 +0000

via careerealism.com

“The next time you are reaching out to someone new over LinkedIn, consider bringing in one or more of these elements to your message. I’m sure it will make a big difference in your response rate.”

Click here to read the 4 tips

4 Tips for Networking with Strangers on Linkedin is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

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9 Easy Steps To Get Promoted

Theresa Delgado — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 17:50:48 +0000

via careerealism.com

“It would be safe to say you would have probably entertained the question of how to get promoted even before you graduated or left school. In my chats with juniors from my industry, I am often asked this question which I gladly answer. However, I sense they simply want short cuts to the next level.

These experiences pushed me to pen these 9 obvious but often not practiced tips on how to get promoted. Start internalizing these tips and make them part of your career management plan. Before you know it, you would have moved up to the next level.

One main reason for people to ignore these obvious practices on how to get promoted is because they seem very long term. But they are not at all. All you need to do is to consistently DO them. I have broken them down to 3 main sections: Plan, Attitude and Action.”

Click here to continue >> 9 Easy Steps To Get Promoted

9 Easy Steps To Get Promoted is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

6 Tips to Grow Your Network

Theresa Delgado — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 16:49:03 +0000

via careerealism.com

“We are all human and we all want to help each other. The idea is to get in touch with as many people you can (in the right channel), make a connection, gain their trust, cultivate the relationship, and earn a good lead. It is as easy as pie!”

These tips are not only a great way to grow your network, they are also great business etiquette.

Click here to learn all 6 tips

6 Tips to Grow Your Network is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

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Personal Branding: 7 Tips to Develop Your Persona

Theresa Delgado — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:19:13 +0000

Here’s another great follow up to refining “Your Brand”. Your are not just defined by how good you are at you job, how well you dress, or how much you volunteer and neither is “Your Brand”. When you present yourself in a professional or social setting you are presenting the ‘whole’ you. To be looked at as the energetic, positive, ‘get-things-done’ person requires more than just how well you exceed your business goals. Here are 7 areas to also consider when thinking about how you want to be perceived, AKA “Your Brand”.

A great follow up to an earlier article published here How to Build Your Brand. – Theresa

By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Deborah Shane

The hot buzz now is creating your personal brand and how to stand out mostly in the social world. Because our challenge is through the web, computer, and the written word it requires a different approach than meeting in person.

So, you are invited to a business party or event. You walk in and pretty much everyone is dressed in some form of black, blue, gray, brown, or beige. Then your eyes catch someone wearing a royal blue, cherry red, banana yellow, lavender something. Your eyes naturally go to that vivid color. Same with how people are communicating. Most people are standing a few feet from each other speaking to each other with the mouth moving but little else energy or emotion. One person you notice has a crowd around them and is using their hands, smiling, animated, having fun and engaging others to have fun and participate too. Their energy is stimulating others energy.

We all have the potential to be this and do this.

Click here to continue reading >> Personal Branding: Persona is in Your DNA

Posted via email from Business Etiquette Basics

Personal Branding: 7 Tips to Develop Your Persona is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

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Your Personal Branding Story

Theresa Delgado — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:49:59 +0000

Developing you personal brand is the “new” way to sell you! It’s kind of like your “elevator pitch” – we all need one. You never know when an circumstance is going to present itself. And if you are ready with a a quick sentence or two carefully crafted about your unique skills and abilities, you could find yourself presented with a great opportunity.

This article is a good follow up to an earlier article published here How to Build Your Brand. – Theresa

Whether you are a job seeker, entrepreneur / small business owner, employed professional, student, consultant, author, or retired, you have a brand story. That story goes to the heart of who you really are and what makes you unique. It can clarify your values and passions, or speak to your goals and dreams. If written well, it can also attract the attention of your target audience (employers, hiring managers, clients, or book buyers, for example) and persuade them to do hire/promote/buy YOU!

Discovering your personal brand and communicating it in a compelling and clear manner to those who matter is not easy. Until now that is…

Click here to continue reading >> What Is Your Personal Branding Story?

Posted via email from Business Etiquette Basics

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Can’t Get A Raise? Negotiate Your Benefits

Theresa Delgado — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:57:05 +0000

With company’s trying to tighten their ‘financial belt’ raises have been averaging 1-2%, some 0%. It’s very discouraging, but here are 7 great strategies on how to make up (or at least get a ‘little something’ more) for the merit increase you didn’t get. – Theresa

If you didn’t get a raise this year – and don’t see a chance of getting one anytime soon – you are not alone. These days, you may consider yourself lucky to still have a job. But just because your boss can’t boost your paycheck doesn’t mean you’re completely out of luck. For employees who can’t get a raise in their salary, a “benefits raise” - getting the employer to increase/enhance current benefits or add new ones – may be the next best thing. Here are a few tips on persuading your employer to consider a benefits raise.

Come Up with a Win-Win Scenario

Look for Any Upside

Realize Some Things Are Off-Limits

Be Creative

Focus on Work/Life Benefits

Think Small

The Bottom Line

Click here to read more on each point >> Can’t Get A Raise? Negotiate Your Benefits

Posted via web from Business Etiquette Basics

Can’t Get A Raise? Negotiate Your Benefits is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

Professional Phone Etiquette

Theresa Delgado — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:05:02 +0000

Phone Etiquette – does it really matter?

Alright so you’ve just been contacted for the phone interview and you’ve practiced your answers, you’ve researched the company, you’ve reviewed your resume you’re ready right?! There’s one other item that could help you shine, when you can’t be seen – good, no great, phone etiquette skills.

With so much communication taking place over the phone, proper phone etiquette is very important in the professional environment. Below are 4 videos addressing some basics of professional phone etiquette.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gkuDAV41bc

Phone communication must rely attitude and tone of the voice to convey professionalism

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RR7dlzkyL0

Not being able to see the person on the other end of the phone (assuming you’re not using Skype) your communication can be enhanced with pitch, tone, and inflection.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkSzFKy5q1k

Probably the most important keys to phone etiquette are speed, volume and articulation. This will assure that your communication is being conveyed properly – the goal of the conversation!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcX3jFXgPac

Expert: Tracy Goodwin
Bio: Tracy has a masters in corporate communication and ten years experience in professional speaking.

Professional Phone Etiquette is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

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How to Build Your Brand

Theresa Delgado — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:25:11 +0000

Being able to talk about your success is an important part of getting noticed in your career, company, and industry.

Telling others about your success can be a challenge, and in today’s job market it’s important to build your brand. Building a good name for yourself for making things happen and being able to talk about it are paramount to your personal brand. When thinking about your successes, begin to think about it in terms of sharing your success in order to make others successful.

Your boss is the best person to help you develop this skill. Your boss is your first line and represents you with senior managers. If you can’t convince your boss of the value you bring in the work you do, then you won’t be able to convince anyone else either. Get away from the interruptions of the office so you can both focus on the conversation. Don’t use disputes, differences in option, or differences in culture as an excuse to leave your manager out of the loop.

You need to create your own ‘brag bag’, ‘atta-boy’ folder, ‘atta-girl’ binder, or an ‘elevator pitch’. It’s important to know the good work you are doing and how to talk about it casually to others. You need to be ready for the big “Tell me about yourself?” question. A good focus of answering this question is to talk about how you utilize your skills and talents in your position. To illustrate your talents and accomplishments start by answering these questions first:

What would you or others say are five of your top skills or talents?
What would you or others say are your top five personality traits?
What new skills have you learned in the past year?

Now think about some examples that illustrate your talents and skills. Here are other questions to consider:

How did you end up in your current career/profession?
What obstacles have you had to overcome to get where you are and what lessons have you learned?
What is the biggest professional mistake you made and what did you learn?
What are you doing to make a difference in people’s lives?
What career successes are you most proud of and why?

The thought is to have several examples that can illustrate who you are and what value you bring. Oftentimes we convince ourselves that we really have nothing of value to add. Or we think that others will notice our efforts and accomplishments and we will be recognized. Not in today’s environment. Don’t take yourself for granted and don’t hope others will notice your hard work. we all need to self-promote, have your ‘brag bag’ ready, and you will be successful!

How to Build Your Brand is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

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Proper email etiquette with corporate comedian Greg Schwem

Theresa Delgado — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:19:09 +0000

Corporate comedian Greg Schwem http://www.comedywithbyte.com explains that it truly IS possible to end an email conversation

Duration : 0:2:0

[youtube 0-Mmp_hGVRY]

Proper email etiquette with corporate comedian Greg Schwem is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

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