Office etiquette to give your career a boost

Taking on the role of a management assistant can be challenging and during your career you may find yourself faced with any number of difficult situations. Here are five office etiquette tips that will prove invaluable in a tight spot.

Be punctual Timeliness is a sign of dependability, which is one of the most important traits a PA can have. Executives want to know they can rely on you to get things done, so it’s always a good idea to come to work, show up for meetings and submit assignments on time to demonstrate your commitment to the role. Remember that late-comers often get left out and are sometimes treated poorly.

Maintain a calm composure No matter how stressful the situation, never lose control. Those who are able to remain calm under pressure are the most respected assistants. Teach yourself to keep a level head and learn strong yet diplomatic ways of communicating to ensure you respect the person you’re talking to.

Avoid gossip at all cost PAs are in charge of a lot of their boss’s information, both corporate and personal. While it may be tempting to share some of this knowledge to make friends in the office, it could be a potentially dangerous move should you find your relationship with that person compromised.

Keep your personal business at home You should also try to keep your personal information to yourself. Divulging too much about your private life gives your colleagues something to gossip about, so avoid sharing anything they don’t need to know. Be careful of prying questions and only answer the ones you’re comfortable with.

Always be thankful The economy is starting to look up, but there could still be unstable times ahead. Master the art of being gracious and it’s unlikely you’ll be reassigned to a new boss if your company has to make cutbacks or restructure. By making professional allies, these changes will be a lot easier on you in recognition of your hard work.

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