While strong technical skills are certainly important, the primary reason a person is successful during the interview as well as on the job, is not due to technical skills, but rather as a result of social/people skills. Knowing how to dine with ease and grace is essential during interview and beyond. Programs for schools, universities and colleges are custom designed to meet the needs of the individual institutions and can also include teacher/faculty training  to establish and reinforce a code of conduct for the institution.  We specialize in developing programs to meet the unique needs of a school whether on such broad topics as business civility, professionalism or something as specific as improving interviewing skills, interview dining skills, dress for success or U.S. etiquette for the international student.

 

You can start with a title for a session or a list of the specific topics which you would like to have  included. This list of topics is not meant to be all inclusive, but can serve as a guideline to be used in deciding the scope of the program.  All topics can be taught virtually or in-person.

Sample Programs Available for College and University Interview Preparation:

Dining Skills

Good dining skills are a must - whether while socializing with business associates or friends, conducting business abroad, or entertaining international clients here in the United States. The Dining Skills program will give you useful tools for dining situations where business and social relationships are developed and strengthened. This program includes:

• Dining Decorum
• Toasting
• Body Language at the Table
• Difficult-to-Eat Foods
• Host/Hostess and Guest Duties
• Business Entertaining
• The Silent Service Code
• Handling Accidents
• American and Continental Styles of Eating
• World-Class Entertaining
• Place Settings
• Silverware Savvy
• Dining Do's and Don'ts

Mingle, Mingle

First impressions really do last a lifetime! Mingilng and networking should be considered a lifeskill for a college student who will be moving into the work world.  Building a network is a lifelong project that will pay dividends throughout a career.  Studies have shown that most people have "mingle-phobia" so this program teaches tools to make the mingling easier and more beneficial.  Participants will learn:

• Creating the most effective initial impression
• The art of making a successful entrance
•  How to work a room
•  Entering conversation groups
•  How to initiate a conversation
•  Appropriate topics for small talk  
•  Making a graceful escape

Social and Corporate Etiquette and Professionalism

Proper etiquette provides the extra polish that will enable you to present yourself with confidence and authority. This program includes:

• Eye Contact
• Listening Skills
• Nonverbal Communication
• How to Make an Entrance and Work the Room
• Mingling
• Handshaking - the Ultimate Greeting
• Introducing Yourself and Others
• Forms of Address
• Rising to the Occasion
• Remembering Names
• Conversation Skills
• Networking
• Professional Image
• Dress for Success
• Electronic Etiquette

Public Speaking

Whether speaking in front of a group or presenting to just one person, the ability to speak with confidence is paramount to success in the business world. Knowing how to develop and deliver speeches for maximum impact will aid you in any professional situation, public occasion, or social gathering. This program includes:

• Effective Delivery Techniques
• Overcoming Stage Fright
• Getting and Keeping the Audience's Attention
• Using Audio/Visual Aids
• Organizing the Message
• Audience Analysis
• Use of Notes
• Maximizing Your Speaking Style
• Special Occasion Speeches
• Methods of Delivery
• The Speaker's Voice
• Effective Beginnings and Endings
• Speeches to Persuade or Motivate
• Body Language

International Etiquette

To succeed in a global economy, executives need to be sensitive to cultural differences, styles, and expressions. This program will teach you the following:

• Forms of Address
• Business Introductions and Handshaking
• How to Avoid Offensive Nonverbal Communication
• Cross-Culturally Universal Expressions
• Communication Styles
• Business Card Savvy
• Strategic Do's and Don'ts
• Rank and Status
• Eye Contact

Civil Society

We all lead such fast paced lives these days, that we sometimes forget the the people with whom we interact are still the most important aspect of everything we do.  This program focuses on what we can do to bring back this focus and to make the college/university environment a place where we treat each other with respect, that is, we treat each other as we would like to be treated.  This program, as with all our programs, can be customized to deal with specific issues that a school sees among its students and employees. 

Email or call 1.410.832.7555 to let us develop a program that meets your needs.