Professional etiquette
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Take pride in how you perform your work, regardless of the job itself.
People judge you more for how you do the work than what the work is.
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Treat people in lower positions with high respect, as one approach that helped was viewing them like royalty to make life easier.
They can make your life better and easier.
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Ask lawyer friends for referrals to other professionals rather than asking them for direct legal help.
Direct requests may be perceived as offensive or the problem may be too simple or complex for free advice; asking where to seek help opens the door for free guidance.
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Do not presume or state that a role is simple merely because the worker appears effortless.
Skill can mask difficulty; assuming ease reflects arrogance and may offend the person.
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Pay professionals for tasks you cannot do yourself or that would cost more in time and effort than hiring help, leveraging specialization.
It allows you to focus on what you are good at and can be the more economical choice in terms of cost plus time.
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Get your compensation package, including commission percentages and goals, in writing with a pen signature before accepting a sales role to prevent disputes over unpaid wages.
Employers may try to hide sales requirements to avoid proper pay, and verbal agreements can lead to court hearings over unpaid wages.
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Be wary of customer service or tech support roles that include sales quotas, as they may focus on upselling over actual support and threaten job loss if quotas are missed.
Quotas may increase based on previous performance, and staff may be instructed to send genuine support requests elsewhere to focus on selling.
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Be courteous and respectful to everyone you encounter at work, whether they are customers, bosses, or subordinates.
Integrity and respect are central to professional behavior.
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One person reports losing their manager role after refusing to compromise on bad ideas and practices, though they continued fighting for colleagues and what they believed was right.
- This approach resulted in the loss of a management position for the individual described.
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Do not assume you know everything after graduating; recognize that your real education is just beginning.
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