Update: We stand by this advice, but you can also check out our more recent discussion on rules for work communication. Here’s a fun business etiquette question: Reader S wonders about the best way to end your emails in a professional setting. Do you vary your email sign-off by situation, or do you just use … Read More about How to End Your Emails (And: Do You Think It Matters?)
Business Etiquette Advice
Business etiquette advice for the professional woman.
The Best Places to Meet Up with Prospective Clients (Other than Your Office or Theirs)
Years ago I had a meeting with a lawyer-turned-entrepreneur, and he made an interesting comment I still find myself thinking about: his preferred place for informal business meetings was hotel lobbies. (Looking back he probably got the idea from this NYT article!) There are obvious advantages to this — they’re nice, public spaces; they usually … Read More about The Best Places to Meet Up with Prospective Clients (Other than Your Office or Theirs)
Learn How to Become a Better Communicator with These Books
Communicating at work often requires women to walk a very fine line to avoid being seen as “aggressive,” “bitchy,” “pushy,” and so on (for exhibiting the same behavior as a typical male employee, of course). The double standard was perfectly captured by Sarah Cooper in last year’s “9 Non-Threatening Leadership Strategies for Women” (which you can … Read More about Learn How to Become a Better Communicator with These Books
Executive Presence for Women Leaders
How would you define “executive presence,” particularly for women? Have you worked to build your executive presence? What are your best executive presence tips? Here are some qualities of women with executive presence that Corporette readers have mentioned during conversations that have taken place in the comments: having a “cool, calm, and commanding” presence being a skilled public … Read More about Executive Presence for Women Leaders
How to Break the Ice With Coworkers — Even While Traveling
How do you break the ice with coworkers and make conversation, particularly while traveling together? Travel with coworkers can be awkward for exactly this reason — and hopefully our tips can help. We’ve talked about party-appropriate conversation topics, as well as how to steer a conversation away from sports or the like, but not in … Read More about How to Break the Ice With Coworkers — Even While Traveling
6 Things to Have on Hand When You’re Sick at Work
We all know we shouldn’t go to work when we’re sick. But whether you’re a presidential candidate or have a more typical career, most of us do it anyway. (Note: Here I’m referring to the average Corporette reader with full-time benefits; the millions of Americans without paid sick leave don’t have much choice about whether to stay home and rest.) … Read More about 6 Things to Have on Hand When You’re Sick at Work
How to Tell Your Boss You’re Not Her Servant / Personal Assistant / Chauffeur
2019 Update: We still stand by this discussion on how to avoid being mistaken for a personal assistant — but you may also want to check out our more recent discussion on how to avoid office housekeeping tasks. How do you tell your boss you’re not her servant / personal assistant / chauffeur / secretary … Read More about How to Tell Your Boss You’re Not Her Servant / Personal Assistant / Chauffeur
Affordable, Easy Office Decor Ideas
What are your favorite easy office decor ideas? What would you recommend to summer associates and interns?
How to Wear Pantyhose In the Summer
If “pantyhose in summer” makes you shudder, you’re not alone — but if you HAVE to wear it, here’s how to survive.
Should Your Work Friends Include Your Assistant?
Do you socialize with your assistant or secretary? Do you consider him or her to be among your work friends? Or do you keep your relationship with staffers friendly but avoid turning it into an actual friendship? If the relationship has swung too far towards “friendship,” how do you bring it back to “collegial”? Reader N … Read More about Should Your Work Friends Include Your Assistant?
Crying at Work: How to Deal
How do you keep from crying at work, whether due to personal reasons or as a reaction to something work-related? What are your best tips to prevent it, explain it if it happens, and clean up your face once you’re done?
Answering Work Email at Home
Does your boss send you emails at all hours? Are you expected to respond immediately to answer work email at home — either in a clear “policy” way or in an unspoken, pissy-but-won’t-tell-you-why way? Do you try to draw a line in the sand and purposely not reply during certain hours, even if you get the … Read More about Answering Work Email at Home