One of the biggest mistakes you can make in your career is not understanding that there are certain codes and rules to abide by in the workplace. If you're not careful, you may even lose opportunities because others are put off by your lack of professionalism. To get a better idea of the office etiquette you should be aware of the following tips: 1. Don't interrupt your colleagues. Not only is it disrespectful but it's a sign of "poor social skills". 2. Pull the plug on office chatter. It's okay to bond with your colleagues but when they're walking with you to continue the conversation that's when you know it's too much. 3. Don't be loud. It's not just rude, it's intrusive. Keep quiet and you won't invade other people's personal space. 4. Don't eat smelly food. It can be very offensive to a coworker, so save the smelly Tuna or bag of buttery popcorn for your down time at home. 5. Don't use slang or text-speak. An email should be handled as a formal letter. And don't forget, emails can be kept on a company's record for years. 6. Office attire should stay on the conservative side. It's best to be traditional. Still, not all offices are the same so think about who you're meeting with and then plan your wardrobe accordingly. 7. Keep your ring tone under control. The music can be distracting, so it's best to keep your phone on vibrate. 8. Keep the office clean. Your boss shouldn't have to tell you you have food in the refrigerator that you don't take home, it should get thrown out. Be clean. 9. Don't take personal calls at your desk. If you have to, then it's fine to take a personal call at your desk sometimes, but end it quickly so that you don't disturb those around you — especially if it's an open office space. 10. Don't come to work if you're too sick. The rule of thumb is if you're contagious you should stay home. But if you just have sniffles you should be at the office. If we took a day off every time we didn't feel well, we'd never be at the office.
