It can be as simple as holding a door for a stranger, yet for some reason even that polite gesture no longer seems to happen in today’s society. I don’t know if that is because people are so into themselves that they don’t pay attention to anyone around them or if it is a total lack of respect for the people around us because we don’t believe they deserve it. In either situation, it makes me sad because that is how we are raising our children to think and treat their peers as well as their elders.

I was raised to “do unto others as I would have others do unto me.” This, in essence, means, treat everyone you meet the way that you want to be treated. Not only does this show that you respect those around you, it shows that you have good manners and good manners are essential to getting anything you want out of life…personally or professionally.

These are some basic “good manner” guidelines to follow for every aspect of your life.

Always respect older people…listen to them and learn, their knowledge is invaluable. This applies to all elders and not just parents or grandparents.

Use the terms ‘Thank You’, ‘Please‘, and ‘You are Welcome‘ as this shows that you appreciate what someone has done for you.

Pay attention to how you carry yourself. In other words, act like you have some class, which goes hand in hand with manners. Don’t slouch. Have a neat appearance, shake hands firmly, be clean and smell clean (use deodorant! Don’t overdo the perfume or cologne!), hold your head high and don’t hide behind dark sunglasses inside or wear other “trying to be cool” looks at the “wrong” time…it gives the impression of arrogance and immaturity.

Do not swear. It’s unprofessional. People who do this are usually very immature and have no self-control or respect for themselves or others. Eventually, you’ll see that bad words are not appropriate and you will begin to feel more comfortable avoiding them altogether. Profanity is a sign of an angry person and it puts people off you immediately as its very distasteful and offensive. Using a good decent vocabulary gives the impression of intelligence, self-respect and character.

Try to show that you are more interested in the person you are speaking to by asking them questions about themselves. Be a listener. Don’t steal their spotlight by just talking about yourself. You don’t want to come off as selfish.

Don’t put other people down. Never openly criticize someone in an attempt to put them down or to make yourself look better. If you don’t like people speaking about you in that way then don’t do it yourself! Be complimentary and positive. Something to remember is that good manners are based on your consideration for the people around you and the principle of not making them uncomfortable. Having an opinion is one thing, but being insulting is nothing more than bad manners.

These are just a few suggestions of how to treat people in any given situation, but if a situation would arise and you are unsure what to do, always remember…Do unto others as you would have done unto you.

This is a guest post by Michelle Noe

Body language may be subtle, direct or at times, complex, but throughout it all, it remains the unspoken word of conversations.  The movements of the body reveal inner thoughts and true positions in arguments.  It is body language that ultimately allows for others to read your true personality and find a connection with your inner self.  It gives them a deeper insight into who you are, how you handle yourself, and how you want others to perceive you.  It is a language that most of us do not know we speak.

At times, body language can play a crucial role in all aspects of your life, but it is most crucial in the work field.  It is the factor that determines whether or not you are a potential hire for a company and a well-rounded candidate for the position.  Although most interviewers do not know the entire concept of body language, they do understand those elements that are both most important and those that they can relate to due to their own experiences.

Posture: The way you walk and the position of your body when you stand is extremely critical.  Slouched shoulders show a lack of confidence and motivation. To Avoid: Your shoulders should be erect while your neck and head should be held high and looking straight ahead.  Posture reveals confidence or the lack of.

Hand Shake: The hand shake will either break or make your impression at an interview.  A weak and limp hand shake reveals the characteristics of person with dist=interest and a sense of a cold attitude.  To Avoid: Your hand shake should be well-gripped and firm, with your palm facing downward to show compassion and empathy.

Eye Contact:  Eye contact emphasizes someone’s interest and credibility.  It states whether you are nervous or unprepared.  Fast blinking is a major sign of nervousness.  It is okay to gaze toward an object in an attempt to recollect a memory or thought, but never gaze at something else when speaking to the interviewer.  To Avoid: Give direct eye contact to the interviewer at all times.  Study their facial expressions and hand movements.

Sitting:  Again posture plays a major role even when sitting.  Sitting with your arms and legs crossed is a sign of defensiveness.  To Avoid: Sit erect and straight, looking into the eyes of the interviewer.  For ladies, cross at your ankles oppose to crossing your legs.

Next time you are face-to-face with an interviewer for a potential hire, or entrance into an academic program, always remember the most common types of body language signs and how they are portrayed by the interviewer.  Always show confidence in yourself and your abilities, because you are your own hype man, and everyone will perceive you the same way you perceive yourself.

Special thanks to Giselle Rivera @ Www.Eliteresumes.org for another great contribution. To learn more about Giselle, please visit our Featured Writers Page.

Color business cards at no charge for Obzokee.com’s readers. Isn’t it time you started using a business card to get noticed and remembered by employers.