Etiquette Training Program for College and University Students
For the past nearly twenty years, THE ETIQUETTE SCHOOL OF NEW YORK has presented social etiquette and business protocol seminars to college and university students, designed to help prepare the students for the professional business world they will enter when they graduate. We have been pleased to have presented our seminars to Princeton University, Columbia University, New York University, Simon Business School, Michigan State University, St. John’s College, Iona College, the Stevens Institute of Technology, Siena College, Maritime College, the Koppelman School of Business at Brooklyn College, Suffolk County Community College, and Temple University.
Since I have learned some basic protocols from you, although it must have been only a small glimpse of what you know, I felt that my social skills have improved a lot. But I still have a long way to go, especially, with real practice… And wanted to tell you that I love your high standards. – International Relations Graduate
Thank you so much for coming and for helping our students. I think they learned quite a lot as did I. – St. Johns Career Advisor
I want to sincerely thank you for your presentation and expertise yesterday, at our dining etiquette event. Your dynamic presentation and interaction with students truly added to the evening’s success. – Career Development Administrator
It was wonderful having you. Several students contacted me saying they enjoyed the event. -Career Development Coordinator
It was great to see you! The students once again loved the workshop. – Career Development Director
Etiquette Training Program for College and University Students
I. Business Etiquette 101: Polished and Professional in the Business World
This two-hour seminar includes the following topics: How to distinguish yourself from the competition with your presence power points; handshaking and introduction basics; interview and business meeting protocol; how to make small talk and build rapport for successful business relationships; business card protocol, professional business office decorum; electronic and written business arena communications; dressing appropriately for your profession; and more.
II. Dining Etiquette and Table Manners: The Art of the Business Meal
This two-hour seminar includes the following topics: Host and guest business meal protocol; table settings and how to read them; taking a seat, conversation, and posture at the table; the American and Continental styles of dining; how to correctly use your utensils–silverware savvy; the courses in a meal and how to eat them; the dos and don’ts of table manners; interview meal dos and don’ts; how to eat difficult foods; toasting etiquette; host and guest etiquette; and more.
III. Networking 101: How to Make an Entrance and Work the Room
This one hour seminar covers the following topics: How make an entrance; how to introduce yourself and others; how to shake hands with confidence; how to start a conversation, keep it going, and gracefully exit; acceptable and unacceptable conversation topics; how to project a positive image and make a good impression; how to gracefully handle food and beverages; the protocol for exchanging business cards; how to dress appropriately for the occasion; and the importance of RSVPs, thank-you notes, and follow-ups.
Outclass the Competition:
Western Culture Business and Dining Etiquette Half-Day Seminar
THE ETIQUETTE SCHOOL OF NEW YORK’S half-day “Outclass the Competition: Western Culture Business and Dining Etiquette” seminar is geared toward preparing students for the new and often demanding social and professional situations they will face in the modern-day, global business world. Whether it is preparing for a graduate school interview, learning how to feel confident at social mingling events, dining in a formal restaurant for an interview, or with a new boss or client, this seminar will give students the real-world etiquette knowledge and soft skills that will give them the confidence they will need to successfully handle these situations.
The following topics will be covered: Benefits of etiquette and protocol intelligence; positive first impression and lasting impressions; executive level body language; protocol for business, social and self-introductions; global greetings and handshakes; conversation and communication skills; how to network and shine at social events; techno-etiquette; social networking dos and don’ts; dress, grooming and style advice; interviewing tips; business meal dining etiquette and table manners.
Included with Seminar: Illustrated workbook, three-course tutorial luncheon and a Certificate of Completion.
Top 10 Business Etiquette Tips for New College Graduates
Your education will get you in the door, but it is your soft, or “people”, skills that will help you land the job. Soft skills are the new hard skills—the distinguishing qualities that will help you outclass the competition. They are the missing link between your education and success in the business world.
Following are The Etiquette School of New York’s top 10 business etiquette tips for new college graduates:
1. Know the proper protocol for making introductions and introducing yourself.
Always have a pre-planned self-introduction for every interview and networking
event you attend—one that will stimulate interest in you.
2. Shake hands with a firm grip, direct eye contact, and good posture. These are
considered your presence power points and they ‘speak’ volumes about your confidence
and credibility as a person who is going places.
3. Suit-up for success: wear appropriate business attire, and always make sure you
are well-groomed when you go for a job interview or to a business meeting.
Polished shoes translate to attention to detail. A polished appearance opens doors!
4. Cultivate a strong, clear speaking voice; enunciate your words; and don’t use slang, foul language, or filler words. Knowing how to communicate clearly and effectively is essential to your success.
5. Polish your electronic and written communications. Be professional: conduct yourself in a business-like manner at all times by using appropriate business language. Use correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.
6. Learn what is considered professional and appropriate when using your landline and cell phone for business. Always identify yourself when placing and answering a call. Be prepared to leave a voice mail message when you place a call, since over half of all calls placed go to voice mail.
7. Know what is considered appropriate, and what does not reflect positively upon you,
when use your social networking tools. Every communication in the virtual, as well as the real world, is an opportunity to make a good impression. Often your first impression is made online, since HR professionals often Google your name to read about you before meeting you in person.
8. Master the art of mingling, networking, and making small talk. Being skillful at mingling and networking will not only help you get a job, but it will also help you stand out in your new job.
9. Be polished and professional at the dining table. Perfected dining skills and suitable table manners are a must! You may have an interview scheduled as a lunch so your potential employer can observe your table manners; and there is no better or worst place to make an impression than at the table.
10. Practice good manners at all times! Civility counts! People remember people with good manners.
I invite you to order a copy of “THRIVE: The Ultimate Guide to Personal and Professional Success.” It will give you the tools, knowledge, and leadership skills you need to thrive in the modern world. It is the missing link between a college education and success. Soft skills are 85% of success in landing a job and moving up in an organization. Technical skills or knowledge in your given field are 15% of success.
Testimonials:
Thank you for the wonderful job you did this evening. Thank you also for more than exceeding my expectations for this event, and the impact it has had on the students. – Professor and Managing Director of Strategic Planning for the Business School
Many thanks for presenting another wonderful and educational session. The feedback we received from the students has been excellent thanks to your work. – Assistant Director of Graduate Student Affairs
Thank you again for speaking with our students at the luncheon on Thursday. The students gave us very positive feedback and enjoyed the presentation. - Career Development and Professional Development Director
I am writing to express my thanks for the session you hosted recently with our international graduate students through our Professional Pathways program. The feedback we received from the event was very positive. – University Client
I just wanted to thank you for your presentation and visit to campus yesterday. I have been getting great feedback from the students and it is something they really enjoyed. -University Client
Our students found that the event was helpful in understanding social and business etiquette and thought that you were a great speaker–knowledgeable, friendly, elegant, and informative. -Business School Client
Thank you again for coming to Iona College. We are always happy to have you visit. -University Client
Thank you so much again. Always a pleasure having you at Stevens. – University Client
It was a pleasure to see you again last week. Your instruction to our students was impressive as we expected and well received. I hope that you will assist us next year as well. -Career Development Director
Thank you so much for coming and helping our students. I think they learned quite a lot as did I. -University Client
I have acquired a well-kept secret in the lives of the fortunate. I think that if every young person had a chance to take your classes the future would be brighter. – University Student
It was a pleasure having you conduct a networking seminar for our students yesterday. I received very positive feedback from everyone. -University Client
I just wanted to follow-up with you and say that our son was very happy with your class. He felt he learned a number of things, but most importantly gained confidence in himself. He taught us a number of things and also recounted the fun he had too! Thank you for what you do.-Parent of University Student
Thank you so much for a wonderful workshop! The students really enjoyed it. I will definitely contact you again soon about coming back to campus for more workshops. -University Client