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For International Students: Workplace Communication and Culture in the U.S. Anne Scammon, Managing Director go.gwu.edu/careerservices 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 go.gwu.edu/careerservices Agenda • What is workplace culture? • Employer Expectations • Communication – Personal, Business, Formal, Office, Introductions • Professional Attire • Questions go.gwu.edu/careerservices 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 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 • • • • • go.gwu.edu/careerservices U.S. Workplaces go.gwu.edu/careerservices U.S. Workplaces: Industry Reflections go.gwu.edu/careerservices 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 • • • • • go.gwu.edu/careerservices 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 – – – – go.gwu.edu/careerservices 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 go.gwu.edu/careerservices 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! go.gwu.edu/careerservices Business Communications • • • • • Introductions Handshake Eye Contact Personal Space/Privacy Professional Attire go.gwu.edu/careerservices Formal Introductions • Business • Interviews • Networking • Presentations • Clients ( Mr. President , Id like to introduce you) go.gwu.edu/careerservices 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. go.gwu.edu/careerservices 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 go.gwu.edu/careerservices The Handshake (SHE) • Smile • Handshake • Eye Contact • Greet go.gwu.edu/careerservices 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 go.gwu.edu/careerservices 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 – – – – • Accessories – Shoes: Low heels – Limit jewelry • Portfolio – Resume copies – Store employer information go.gwu.edu/careerservices 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 go.gwu.edu/careerservices Which would you wear to work? go.gwu.edu/careerservices 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. go.gwu.edu/careerservices 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 go.gwu.edu/careerservices 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? • • • • Colonial Crossroads, Marvin Center 505 Careerservices.gwu.edu [email protected] 202.994.6495 Connect & engage with the GW Center for Career Services go.gwu.edu/careerservices