Can someone help me how to appear smart and intelligent in your office.?

Question

I am new to US and not very good in communication skills. I recently started working. I want to look nice, intelligent and friendly to my co-workers. Can anyone help me please?

Answer 1

I'm paraphrasing something from Proverbs..... "even an idiot appears wise if he says nothing" (I'm certainly not calling you an idiot...) If your communication skills are lacking... say little unless you know you are effectively communicating what you intend.

Oh... and wear glasses.

I tried to reply to your message and it said your email address has not been confirmed.... so I'll reply here:

Your welcome.... I didn't mean that you shouldn't talk and be friendly... all I meant is that the less you say... the less there is to be critical of (a lesson I would do well to pay attention to a little more often)... if you are a friendly person... people will see that regardless of what your first language is.

I have lived in and visited many parts of the world... and am living overseas now.... I work with Americans from all parts of the country, Mexicans, Hondorans, Bosnians, Nigerians, Indians, Sri Lankans, Iraqis, El Salvadorans, Armenians, Khazakstans and Polish. We all have cultural things that separate us, but people who are nice and friendly and want to be a part of what is happening show up to the American party... people will see you for what you are. I do find the Eastern Europeans to be a little more stand-offish (which some see as rude) but if you know that in the beginning... its easier to accept.

Good luck, be professional, smile, and have a good time. Remember... someone already liked you enough to give you a job... thats a big deal right there!

Last but not least.... there is a book.... How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie... first published in 1936 and it is just as valid and topical today as it was 70 years ago... I'm reading it for the 2nd time now. I bought my used but you can still buy it new at any good bookstore or online.

Answer 2

First thing is to dress nice. Look and act professional, not sloppy like a lot of young American kids entering the workplaces today.

Be interested in what others have to say and their ideas. Don't be overly critical.

There is a Chinese saying that says "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let everyone think you are stupid rather than open it and remove all doubt." In other words...don't talk too much! Be able to hold a good, intellegent conversation, but don't go on and on and on. Also, if you don't know something about a subject, don't act like you do.

A smart man knows a lot of things...a wise man may not know a lot of things, but he knows where to get the information he needs. Sometimes it's much better to be wise instead of smart.

Answer 3

- Smile a lot
- Wear appropriate clothes. Either formal or casual, observe how other people dress and try to match the same. Yo u will improve.
- Try to understand the work culture and dont get involved in politics
- Be friendly
- Learn to say NO firmly but nicely. It will be helpful.
- Try to understand the business you are in. Try to add value where you can.

Answer 4

***Make sure you are well groomed. Shower (or bathe) often enough to make sure your hair doesn't look greasy and to make sure that you don't smell of sweat. To Americans, sometimes foreigners look dirty (or smell bad) because they take showers less often. Keep your clothes clean too. If the clothes look dirty or smell of body odor then it's time to wash them.

***To be friendly, say hi to people as you walk past them. You can start conversations by saying hi and introducing yourself. "Hi, my name is ..." Many Americans are nice and will talk with you. Some Americans are mean and might say mean things to you. Sometimes, people can be mean if they are trying to get a promotion or get attention from the boss. If people are mean to you, don't talk to them. Usually, they'll be mean no matter how nice you are to them.

***Depending where you are from, Americans may sound blunt when they talk to you (especially if you come from a country with a culture similar to Japan or China). It is a part of American culture. Americans may even interrupt you when you're saying something. That is often unintentional. If you're talking with a co-worker, a way to finish speaking might be to interrupt and say, "May I finish what I was saying? Then you can tell me what you were going to say". It may or may not sound rude. So if you do this, use caution. If a boss interrupts you, you should keep quiet. A boss gets ultimate respect because they have the power to fire you. You don't want to make them mad if they are trying to talk to you about your work.

***Last of all, Americans usually don't mind if you have to end a conversation. Just say, "I wish I could continue this conversation but I have to get back to work."

***One word of warning: Be careful how you talk with married men (I assume you are a woman). Limit those conversations to things about work. Keep those conversations only at work. If you talk about your personal life with them, people might think he is being unfaithful to his wife.

Answer 5

Dont act like your trying to hard to be nice because then the people you are working with are going to think you are just some immigrant who doesnt know what shes doing trying to impress everybody. Just be nice but not too nice, dont let them push you around but dont be too mean either. GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 6

Look confident, dress professionally, say hello to everyone and keep up with everything at work. Also, be on time every day.

Answer 7

Don't attempt to appear smart. Be yourself and do your job efficiently and creatively. Concentrate on innovative responses to queries.

Answer 8

just have faith in your self and be confident
help everybody
thats the key dont forget how you got there by your hardwork yes note it do everything with shear hardwork thats the only way you can impress others


GOOD LUCK

Answer 9

Don't send many memo's since your grasp of the english language is poor.

Answer 10

Dye your hair blonde and always wear low cut blouses.