After graduating from school or university, the next challenge awaits you: starting your professional life. The search for your first job demands a lot of patience, diligence, and initiative. But if you have found a suitable job and have the acceptance in your pocket, that doesn’t mean that you can sit back and relax.

On the contrary: During the probationary period, it is important to prove yourself and yourself from your best to show. There is some faux pas lurking that can get you into pretty uncomfortable situations. Unfortunately, you won’t leave a good impression on colleagues and superiors. With our seven rules of etiquette, you will master your career entry without any embarrassment.

Rule 1: Pay attention to a well-groomed appearance

Why is a well-groomed appearance so important, especially at work? It’s simple: Your appearance influences what others see in you. Someone who pays attention to their appearance appears more attractive, more serious, and more competent to others. Your appearance plays an important role, especially if you have a lot of customer contact and have to be convincing.

This is what makes a well-groomed appearance

Many factors determine the overall impression that someone has of you:

• The skin: Smooth and healthy skin makes you look more vital and attractive overall. With the right skincare, you can effectively tackle blemishes and get an even complexion. But also take care of your lips and hands regularly so that they do not become cracked or brittle.
• The face: For beards, regular trimming and good beard care are the order of the day does not grow informally. If you don’t want a beard, daily shaving is a must to avoid unsightly stubble. Also, keep your eyebrows in shape by regularly plucking (or leaving them) and some gel.
• The hair: Make sure to keep your hair handsome at all times with the right care and regular hairdresser visits. Greasy or undyed hair split ends and an outgrown hairstyle does not leave a good impression. Your hair should also always be combed and styled into a neat hairstyle or tied up.
• The teeth: A bright white smile is pleasant and appealing. Brush your teeth regularly and, if possible, use dental floss after every meal to remove any food scraps between them. Regular professional teeth cleaning or bleaching at the dentist helps against dark discoloration.
• The fingernails: Flaky nail polish, nibbled or otherwise unsightly fingernails make your hands look unkempt. Depending on the job, this is an absolute no-go. Regularly shape your fingernails with a nail clipper or nail file. If you use nail polish, it should be applied cleanly and replaced with the first peeling.
• Body odors: Unpleasant body odors such as sweat and bad breath are an absolute no-go at work. You should always have deodorant or deodorant wipes with you. In midsummer, it is worth packing a top to change. If you are sweating profusely, an antiperspirant is the best option. A care program consisting of dental floss, tongue scraper, and an antibacterial mouth rinse helps against bad breath. In between, mint sweets or chewing gum provide fresh breath.

Tips for a healthy appearance

A healthy, well-groomed appearance is not only defined by good body care. A healthy lifestyle and the famous “less is more” also contribute to this.

• Drink plenty of water: If you supply your body with sufficient fluids every day, see your skin will look better and your dark circles will disappear.
• Get enough sleep: Allow your body enough sleep. This reduces stress and improves your complexion and your performance.
• Eat a healthy diet: A healthy diet according to the food pyramid provides your body with optimal nutrients. It makes you feel better – and you radiate it.
• Do sports: Exercise is a real stress killer and provides you with sufficient oxygen. This makes you feel relaxed and awake and can concentrate better.
• Don’t use too much makeup: Your makeup should be kept rather subtle so that it doesn’t look overloaded and intrusive. Make sure to put on your make-up in daylight.
• Don’t wear too much perfume: For most people, an intrusive cloud of perfume is repulsive and annoying. Avoid intense perfumes and use your favorite scent very sparingly.
• Develop care routines: Get used to taking care of your “building sites” such as hair, fingernails, and skin at regular intervals so that they always look good.

Rule 2: Pay attention to the dress code

Nobody wants to attract attention on their first day at work because their own clothes don’t go well with them what the other employees are wearing. To spare you that, we have put together the most important dress codes for you and explain to you which industry you wear what.

What dress codes are there and what do they mean?

So that you leave a good impression right from the start and don’t step into fashion faux pas, you should be familiar with the different dress codes and know which clothing style is behind them. Some dress codes only differ from one another in nuances.

• Casual: Translated, “casual” means “casual wear” – but your outfit shouldn’t be too casual. A typical outfit with a casual look is neutral, well-fitting jeans with a shirt or blouse. Cloth trousers, dresses, and skirts are also allowed. As far as the shoes are concerned, they can be sneakers, as long as they are clean, not too colorful, and not too worn.
• Smart casual: The smart casual dress code is, in principle, an elegant extension of the casual look. Combine simple tops made of high-quality fabrics with business-style clothing, for example, a pencil skirt or trousers.
• Business Casual: This is usually the dress code for internal meetings or the “Casual Friday”, which is not that formal. For men, this means a colored shirt, a polo shirt, or a fine knitted sweater with matching trousers. For women, business casual means blouse or sweater with skirt or cotton trousers. Open shoes such as peep-toes and sandals are also allowed.
• Business Attire: This dress code is the upscale version of business casual. For men, a suit in a subtle color including a tie is a must. A suit should include a light, monochromatic shirt, dark socks, and plain shoes. Women can wear a trouser suit or trousers combined with a blouse, closed shoes with little heels, and subtle jewelry.
• Business formal: Outfits in the style of business formal are even a little more formal: men wear a two- or three-piece suit in subtle colors with a shirt, tie, and leather shoes. Women are appropriately dressed in a fancy suit or a trouser suit and blouse. Skirts and dresses should be at least knee-length. The outfit also includes skin-colored tights and pumps with a maximum heel of six centimeters.
• Semi-formal: Even if the name suggests otherwise, this is the most sophisticated Dress code. For men: dark suit with shirt and tie. For women: a costume or dress that is at least knee-length, with opaque tights, optionally a trouser suit.

Important: Dress codes are a good guide, but not set in stone. Every industry and every company interprets the dress code slightly differently.

Which dress code applies in which industry?

How strict are the dress codes in a company, depends primarily on the industry. If you are unsure which dress code is used in your job, you should ask.

• Consulting: Consultants have a lot of customer contact and usually lead decisive sales talks. That is why there is still a strict business dress code standard here.
• Banking and finance industry: A strict dress code is no longer absolutely hip in German banking, but the style of clothing is still more popular formal.
• Legal activities: Formal dress codes between business attire and business formal are a must in most legal professions.
• PR, marketing, Advertising: In these industries, a casual look is usually completely sufficient.
• IT: In the IT industry, a certain dress code is usually dispensed with, at least for staff without customer contact. For all other employees, a look between casual and business casual applies.

Tips on accessories

The more formal the dress code, the more it depends on the right accessories. Male career starters should grapple with how to tie a tie properly. If the mandatory dress code calls for a tie, you need to know how to do it.

It can be tied in different ways – depending on which tie knot you want. For beginners, the four-in-hand knot and the Kent knot are best because they are easy to learn and take little time to complete. They are particularly suitable for narrow collar shapes. A little more difficult to tie is the simple Windsor knot, which is more suitable for wider collar shapes. The most complicated is the double Windsor and the Prince Albert knot.

Women like to wear scarves to spice up their outfits, and from autumn scarves will be in season again as accessories. But if it doesn’t just hang around your neck and look neat and stylish at the same time, there are different ways you can tie them. This makes them a beautiful eye-catcher that can be easily combined with your outfit.

Rule 3: Listen carefully instead of chatting a lot

As a newcomer, it is your job on the first day to briefly introduce yourself to all employees or – depending on the size of the company – to each department. Show yourself confident and in a good mood and speak loudly and clearly. Do your best to remember the names of your new colleagues. But not only on the first day but also in everyday work, there are a few things to consider when it comes to communication.

Duzen or Siezen?

What is the salutation in the company? How do colleagues address each other and what is the form of address between employees and superiors? You should find that out on the first day so as not to make a mistake. First, listen carefully before you start talking.

But: As the newest member of the team, it is advisable if you see everyone at the beginning. If a colleague wants you to use you, he’ll point it out to you. That is more polite and more respectful than just saying “you” to everyone – even if it is common practice among each other.

Hold back

One of the most important tips for the beginning is: hold back. Whether in meetings or casual discussions among colleagues – as a newcomer it is better to observe and listen carefully than to talk a lot. Especially when it comes to private matters, you shouldn’t reveal so much about yourself at first – unless you are asked about it. Otherwise, pay attention to how much the others are telling you about yourself.

Rule 4: Show interest

The first few weeks you mainly spend the time learning how to work. You are often literally bombarded with information. Take the time to process the flood of information and ask again if necessary.

All right?

It is quite normal that you cannot memorize everything at once and understand everything at once. It only becomes problematic if you pretend to be. This can lead to fatal mistakes later. It is better to ask too much if you are unsure and remove any ambiguities as soon as possible. This way you get fit in the job and can avoid mistakes.

In general, it makes a good impression if, as a newbie, you are interested in the work processes and want to learn a lot. Asking questions shows the others that you are enthusiastic about the job and are motivated to do it well. So if there is something that arouses your curiosity, don’t be afraid to ask.

Get to know your colleagues

Speaking of curiosity: It also takes part in getting used to your colleagues to get to know. Those who are not interested in their colleagues make themselves an outsider, with whom no one likes to work. Be open-minded and sociable without appearing overly curious. After all, you shouldn’t interview your colleagues, but gradually get to know them better and thereby become part of the team.

But how do you best start? The simple answer: with small talk. If you master the essential tricks, it will be easy for you to start a conversation with someone. It is important that you actively listen to the person you are speaking to: Concentrate on what he or she is saying, show your sympathy and ask if you want to know something more precisely.

You can, for example, after the professional field of activity or ask why they chose this job. Choose harmless topics for the conversation that will not start a fundamental discussion of the fence.

Rule 5: Use body language correctly

Pay attention to your body language when dealing with colleagues, supervisors, and customers so as not to inadvertently leave a negative impression. This also applies to maintaining the distance zones.

• Straight posture: Whether standing or sitting – always keep yourself straight without appearing cramped. That signals self-confidence. Avoid hectic, excited gestures. Leaning back too relaxed in the meeting indicates disinterest.
• Firm and secure stance: Concentrate on putting the same weight on both legs to stand stable. Kneel slightly and bend forward a little. Those who constantly change their position appear fidgety and insecure.
• Strong handshake: The handshake should be strong, not too short, and not too long. Always grasp the whole hand of the other person.
• Keep eye contact: Eye contact is a sign of interest, attention, and appreciation. Don’t get distracted and concentrate fully on your conversation partner.
• Let your hands speak: If your hands are open, you also signal openness. Intertwined fingers, on the other hand, are a sign of reticence. If, on the other hand, you put the fingertips of both hands together gently and in a dome-shaped manner, you show that you are thinking.
• Control arms: Arms crossed in front of the chest are interpreted as a defensive protective or defensive position. If the hands are clasped behind the head in the neck and the elbows are stretched outwards, that means: “I am very convinced of myself”.
• Keep your distance: Keep enough distance from the person you are talking to keep their distance zone and not to intrude into their personal space. Most people feel uncomfortable when they get close to someone they don’t know well. A distance of about one meter is sufficient.

Rule 6: Be polite and respectful towards others

Politeness, friendly gestures, and good behavior make your everyday work much more pleasant. Always behave politely and respectfully towards your colleagues, superiors, and customers. Maintaining eye contact and letting the other person finish speaking is by no means everything.

The correct greeting

“Hello” is more of a greeting for leisure time. She has no place in her job. “Good morning” or “Hello” is clearly a better choice. Also, pay attention to the correct order: The highest-ranking person is greeted first, even if a lady is present. The following applies: Older people are greeted in front of younger people and women in front of men.

Always stay polite

When talking to colleagues, superiors, and customers, you should always use an appropriate tone of voice. This also applies to telephone calls and communication via e-mail. Especially in stressful and conflict situations, you should act appropriately and not become abusive and take your anger out on others.

Admittedly, this is sometimes a real challenge, but the consequences are not to be trifled with. Plus, if you’re freaking out and screaming, it doesn’t look confident. Instead, stay calm and listen to the other person’s point of view.

Appropriate criticism

Nobody likes to be pointed out to their flaws and weaknesses. But if there is something that you need to get rid of, it should be done in private and not in front of the assembled team. Avoid blanket formulations like “never” and “always” and instead provide specific examples. Always stay polite and objective here, too.

Rule 7: Behave appropriately at company events

Company events allow you to exchange ideas with other employees in a rather relaxed setting. The prospect of booze and a boisterous mood doesn’t mean that you can throw all good behavior overboard. On the contrary: rules of conduct also apply to Christmas parties, company outings, and similar internal company events.

• Don’t drink too much alcohol: Against one or the other glass is fine, but you should have your consumption under control so as not to attract attention.
• No inappropriate clothing: Dress codes can even apply to company events. In general, you shouldn’t dress too revealingly.
• No bad taste: Salacious jokes, bad manners, or other bad taste usually only make others feel ashamed and have no business at a company party.
• No gossip: Gossiping about colleagues or the boss is not a good idea. It doesn’t go down well when the newcomer turns out to be a gossip.
• No intimacy with other employees: Anyone who joins a colleague at a company party quickly becomes a topic of conversation for the whole company – but not in a positive way. You are also threatened with a warning.

Despite all the rules, you shouldn’t be a joke that just stands in the corner and spreads a bad mood. Enjoy the event and make small talk with your colleagues and you will have a fun evening together.