Start with Some Etiquette Research
For hands-on etiquette experience, graduating students need only to do a little research. You can find shelves of etiquette books, etiquette DVDs, and etiquette training companies across the United States. Check with your school to see what’s available, and search the Internet for additional resources. For etiquette books and DVDs, go to www.amazon.com and search for the term etiquette. You also can check out etiquettesurvival.com for help.

Take an Etiquette Class
Consider attending an etiquette class. In most large cities, you can find etiquette training and consulting businesses. Many college campus career centers also offer etiquette courses or workshops near graduation time.

Get Noticed with a Flawless Cover Letter and Resume
Absolute accuracy in a cover letter and resume is essential for making a positive impression on a potential employer. If your resume contains glaring errors, potential employers will waste no time deleting it or throwing it out.

TIP: Writing a resume and cover letter isn’t an easy process. If necessary, hire a professional resume service. Check your school’s resources; most colleges have writing labs for additional assistance with cover letters and resumes. Also, try visiting a few job search Web sites such as www.monster.com and www.careerbuilder.com. Often these sites publish articles with practical advise that can help you with writing resumes and cover letters.

Present Yourself Professionally
Many people try to avoid passing judgment too quickly, but at first meetings, they inevitably asses other people by how they look. Ask yourself these questions:
* Does your work wardrobe help you present a confident, well-groomed image?
* Are the clothes suitable for the type of work you do (or want to do)?”
* Do you have clothes that can take you from work to a social engagement?

TIP: Get a “college student to career professional” makeover. Try a new hairstylist, attend a wardrobe workshop, and have new makeup applied by a professional. Depending on the type of job you’re interviewing for, you should conceal your tattoos and remove your body jewelry unless you know for certain that those adornments are acceptable to the employer. Build your business wardrobe as soon as possible, too. Fine apparel and accessories can be quite an investment, so shop wisely, and coordinate classic items for versatility.

Master the Art of Introductions
REMEMBER: You may perform introductions all the time, but you may not realize that introductions create enduring impressions. Focus on these concepts:
* If a coworker or colleague isn’t available to introduce you, it’s proper to introduce yourself in business and social functions. Be sure to know the difference between a personal and business introduction.
* Find out the proper way to present and receive a business card.
* Don’t forget to smile, and use good eye contact and a firm handshake.

Communicate with Style and Confidence
Leave the slang phrases, jargon, and four-letter words in the dorm room. Trendy talk isn’t appropriate in a professional setting or in the break room or cafeteria of your company. Master several ways to start conversations, and know how to end them gracefully. Always remember to listen more than you talk.

Experience the Magic of Networking
REMEMBER: Attend career fairs while you’re looking for a job, and network at special events even after you’ve scored a job. If you’re interested in working over-seas, you can make contacts and establish overseas networking by attending international exhibitions and conferences or by joining an international networking discussion group on the Internet. Networking events and groups can be fulfilling and produce results like these:
* Networking within your community increases your chances of finding publicized and unpublicized job openings. Mastering the art of networking can lead to solid employment referrals.
* Networking can provide ongoing support with business contacts.
* Networking can provide opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge in a specific industry as well as opportunities to share ideas.

TIP: Send a thank-you note to sources of new connections, and keep them informed of your progress. They may have a vested interest in your success and will probably want to support you as much as they can.

Make Yourself Clear on the Phone
Many times, the first contact you have with an individual is over the telephone, so the impression you make can be a lasting one. Therefore, you want to sound confident and professional – especially if the call is about a possible job.

Cultivate Contacts via E-Mail
Strive to communicate with colleagues from other countries who share your interests. If your company has offices internationally, check the employee directory and contact coworkers via e-mail. You also can search country specific international job sites on the Internet. (an excellent site is www.international-business-careers.com) or look for specific international companies that post job openings.

The rules that apply for e-mail communication at home are even more important when you’re communicating with someone in another country. Here are some guidelines:
* Most cultures communicate in a more formal manner than people in the United States do, so use the proper title of individuals in your greetings.
* Avoid using slang terms or words that can take on double meanings.
* Consider the time difference and the day of the week before you send an e-mail. If you send an e-mail on Friday morning, it may be Saturday afternoon for the recipient. Or you may send an e-mail on a holiday that you weren’t aware of and the recipient is off work.

Excerpt from: Business Etiquette for Dummies