Transcript Make it work! - GW Career Services

For International Students:
Workplace Communication
and Culture in the U.S.
Anne Scammon, Managing Director
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Learning Outcomes
• Define communication and culture
• Identify U.S. workplace expectations
• Determine elements and styles of U.S
workplace communication
• Review professional and casual
workplace attire
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Agenda
• What is workplace culture?
• Employer Expectations
• Communication
– Personal, Business, Formal,
Office, Introductions
• Professional Attire
• Questions
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What do you think?
Evaluate Today’s Program
• Check iPhone for link to program evaluation
• Have you learned from the program today?
– I have learned more about myself.
– I have learned more about connecting with employers.
– I have learned more about how to be a professional.
• Comments & Ideas
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U.S. Workplace Culture
What is culture?
What makes an organization?
How are people treated?
Does attire reflect culture?
Are independent perspectives
valued?
• How is the work completed?
• Dress, Physical, Leadership,
Values, Employees
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U.S. Workplaces
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U.S. Workplaces:
Industry Reflections
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Workplace & Employer
Expectations in the U.S.
Reflects U.S. Culture
Demonstrate focus on outcomes/results
Be open, transparent, and assertive
Engage with team
Comfort with constructive
feedback
• Manage time well 8+
• Adapt to U.S. workplace:
observe, reflect, and learn
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Communication and Culture
• Impacts Culture
– Message distortion
– Misunderstandings
• Directness Reflects U.S.
All are equal
Self-reliance/Individualism
Share information with team
Open communication/free
speech/feedback
– Efficiency/Accomplishment/
Results
– Work
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Communication
• Information Exchange: Focus on information sharing,
problem solving and efficiency
• Straightforward: Ask direct questions and make direct
requests clearly and succinctly; avoid hinting at meaning
• Literal: Say what they mean and do not expect others to
interpret the meaning of a message
• Problem-oriented: Organize information efficiently and
identify and communicate solutions to problems
• Personal: Rely on logic over emotion and are direct
communicators, and yet they also demonstrate empathy
• Informal: Informal communication occurs freely with all.
First names are used early in relationships
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Personal Communication
• Energetic and positive
• Speak in the present tense with
lots of action words
• Let’s do it! Make it work!
• Use powerful words
• Greatest, excellent, brilliant
• Positive thinking
• Avoid negatives
• Complaints not well received
• Rather than problem . . .
Something is a challenge!
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Business Communications
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Introductions
Handshake
Eye Contact
Personal Space/Privacy
Professional Attire
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Formal Introductions
• Business
• Interviews
• Networking
• Presentations
• Clients
( Mr. President , Id like to introduce you)
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Office Introductions
Introducer
• I’d like to introduce you to
Martha Washington . . .
• I’d like to introduce you . . .
• What office are you in?
What type of work . . .?
• I look forward to working
with you (or seeing you
again.)
Your Response
• It’s a pleasure to meet you,
Martha.
• It’s a pleasure to meet you.
My name is . . .
• I will be working in (office)
doing (work). And you?
• I look forward to working
with you (seeing you )as
well.
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Casual Communication
Greetings
• Hi, how are you?/How
have you been?
– I’m fine thanks, how
are you.
• Hi, did you have a nice
weekend?
– I did, how about you?
• Do you have a minute?
– If you do, then, yes.
– If not, suggest another
time.
Small Talk
• Introduce yourself
• Ask others questions
– people love to talk
about themselves
• Talk about the setting
• Work
• Weather
• Avoid politics,
religion, sex
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The Handshake (SHE)
• Smile
• Handshake
• Eye
Contact
• Greet
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Eye Contact
• Americans expect you to
make eye contact
• Sign of respect and
equality
• Open and close
communication
• Establish credibility and
confidence
• Demonstrate leadership
– Lack of eye contact equal to
submissiveness
Eye Contact Practice
– Find a partner
– Maintain eye contact for
20-seconds
– Timed
– No talking, laughing
– Look into others’ eyes
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Professional Attire
• Suit
Dark, well-fitted, conservative
Clean and ironed
Conservative shoes
For men: White button-down
collared shirt, dark socks, tie
– For women: Hose, Skirts no
more than 2” above knee
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• Accessories
– Shoes: Low heels
– Limit jewelry
• Portfolio
– Resume copies
– Store employer information
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Casual Attire
• What should I wear for “casual day?”
• Varies by company/organization
• Review company website
for specifics
• Observe and mirror
e and mirror
leadership
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Which would you wear to work?
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International Student Career Ambassadors
GW's International Student Career Ambassador (ISCA) Program provides peerto-peer career advising for all international students, including
graduate/professional students across all degree programs.
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Fast Reads
• American Culture, Yale University
– http://oiss.yale.edu/life-at-yale/american-culture
• What Makes Up Culture
– http://humanresources.about.com/od/organizatio
nalculture/g/what-is-culture.htm
• Work Culture for Immigrants
– http://www.immihelp.com/newcomer/workculture-office-environment-usa.htmldd
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What do you think?
Evaluate Today’s Program
• Check iPhone for link to program evaluation
• Have you learned from the program today?
– I have learned more about myself.
– I have learned more about connecting with employers.
– I have learned more about how to be a professional.
• Comments & Ideas
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
Questions?
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Colonial Crossroads, Marvin Center 505
Careerservices.gwu.edu
[email protected]
202.994.6495
Connect & engage with the GW Center for Career
Services
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