COMMUNICATION ETIQUETTE
PHONE
BE AWARE OF YOUR SPEAKING VOLUME.
Some people just don’t know how loud they are, especially when their attention is focused on the person on the other line.
DON’T ANSWER YOUR PHONE WHEN MEETING WITH OTHERS.
If you answer a call, you’re basically telling the person you’re meeting that someone else is more deserving of your time than they are.
DON’T PLACE YOUR PHONE ON THE TABLE WHEN MEETING OTHERS.
Otherwise, it looks like you’re ready to drop them and connect with someone else.
LET THE OTHER PERSON KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE THEM ON SPEAKERPHONE.
If you must put someone on speakerphone, make sure you immediately let them know who else is in the room with you.
EMAIL
USE A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL ADDRESS.
Never use email addresses (perhaps remnants of your grade-school days) that are not appropriate for use in the workplace, such as “diva@...” Or “babygirl@... “
USE EXCLAMATION POINTS SPARINGLY.
If you choose to use exclamation point, use only one to convey excitement.
THINK TWICE BEFORE HITTING “REPLY ALL”
No one wants to read 20 emails that have nothing to do with them.
BE CAUTIONS WITH HUMOR.
What may be funny when said out loud can come across differently when written. When in doubt, leave it out
INSTANT MESSAGING
YOU SHOLD KNOW THE PERSON.
If you only know the person through social media but have never actually met them, you shouldn’t IM them.
KEEP THE CONVERSATION SHORT.
If you message will require the receiver to take time to think about their response, you might want to send an email or call them instead.
NEVER SEND BAD NEWS VIA IM.
IM is too casual a medium to have an important conversation, particularly one that’s negative.
TEXTING
BE CAREFUL WITH ABBREVIATIONS.
Shortcuts are more common today, but make sure it’s appropriate for ‘u’ to be that informal.
DON’T CHANGE MEETING TIMES OR VENUES IN A TEXT.
Potential attendees may not check their phones in time.
SKYPE
LOOK AT THE CAMERA
Looking at the computer screen will make it seem like you are looking down, but when you look directly at the camera, you will appear to be looking your contact in the eye.
DON’T GESTURE TOO MUCH.
Although such expressiveness may be acceptable in person, it may be too much when you fit it all in one window.