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Professional Etiquette

How to Demonstrate Professional Etiquette in the Workplace

Discover the key areas you can focus on to help you build trust, expand your network and grow your career at Accenture:

Communication

Clear, respectful communication is key to building strong working relationships.
  • Ask for clarity on expectations, deadlines, and goals.
  • Be proactive—try to solve problems before escalating.
  • Request feedback to show your willingness to grow.
  • Adapt your tone to your audience—stay positive and respectful.

Meeting Etiquette

Meetings are often where first impressions are made, and a good opportunity to contribute and make a good impression.
  • Be punctual and prepared.
  • Listen actively – avoid distractions like your phone.
  • Take notes and follow up on action items.
  • Speak up when appropriate – your input is valuable.
  • Participate respectfully in meetings – don’t interrupt or talk over others

Time Management

Being reliable with your time shows respect and professionalism. You will have various projects, meetings and university assignments.
  • Plan and prioritise tasks to meet deadlines.
  • Communicate early if you’re struggling to meet expectations.
  • Arrive on time for meetings and appointments.
  • Build in buffer time for unexpected challenges.

Email Etiquette

Your emails reflect your professionalism.
  • Use full sentences and proper punctuation.
  • Avoid slang, emojis, and abbreviations like “idk.”
  • Proofread before sending—especially to clients or senior staff.
  • Be mindful of what you write - email or Teams messages are part of your professional record
  • Always assume your message could be forwarded or reviewed later—write accordingly.
  • Tailor your message to the audience—be especially mindful when emailing clients or leadership.

Social Media Use

Use social media responsibly and professionally.
  • Limit personal use during work hours – save scrolling for breaks.
  • Use platforms like LinkedIn for professional networking.
  • Avoid posting workplace photos that may include confidential information, sensitive visuals, or identifiable client data.
  • Avoid using work devices for personal browsing or storing personal data
  • Be mindful of tone, language, and content—especially if your profile is publicly linked to your employer.

Your Personal Brand

Importance of your personal brand at work 
  • A positive personal brand helps make the right impression on colleagues and customers.
  • Judgements: People make judgements that affect your effectiveness and success.
  • People buy people: Your personal brand tells them what they're buying.
  • Positive Impression: Use your brand to create a positive impression.
Creating Your Personal Brand
  • Feedback: Get feedback from colleagues about how they view you and your work.
  • Authenticity: Be the best version of yourself, not someone else.
  • Avoid False Branding: Creating a false brand is hard work and unsustainable.

Promoting Your Brand

In the Office
  • Positive Tone: Use positive language when talking about work.
  • Dress: Think about what your image conveys while being yourself.
  • Negative Reactions: Avoid behaviours that receive negative reactions (e.g. loud phone conversations).
  • Interactions: Even small interactions affect your brand (e.g. responding positively to "How are you?").
Out and About
  • Networking: Ask your manager about networking opportunities.
  • Presentations: Dress smartly and think of presentations as performances.
  • Body Language: Use open arms, direct eye contact, and smile.
Online
  • Platform Choice: Choose relevant platforms and use them well.
  • Right Messages: Ensure your online presence reflects your achievements and projects.
  • Balance: Share info, engage with others, and have interesting chats.
  • LinkedIn: Use the first person to make your profile personal.