WORKPLACE ETIQUETTE

WANT TO MAKE A MEMORABLE impact in your first job? Keep in mind it’s not only your work performance that employers notice – it’s also your work etiquette.

Patrick Sullivan, who runs the Canadian job-search website Workopolis, offers three tips for teens as they pursue holiday or part-time jobs.

Dress for success: From the start, dress appropriately – not like you’re meeting school pals. It shows you’re serious and mindful of the environment. “When applying for a job, dress like you’re already an employee there. And once you get a job, ask how to dress. Don’t look at it casually because it’s short-term.”

Give co-workers their due respect: “Not just because they’re older or have been there longer, but because you’ll learn from them. Ask questions about the job, how people operate, and what’s appropriate in the workplace. It will put you in good stead.”

Remember the basics: “Smile, look people in the eye, and shake hands firmly. You’ve been hired for a reason. Present yourself confidently, and you’ll be treated with confidence.”

Common courtesies can pay off in great references from your employers. “That first job is your foundation,” says Sullivan, “and you need to leave a positive impression.”