Work 101: Learning the Ropes of the Workplace without Hanging Yourself

by Elizabeth Freedman

In this straight-talking guide, MBA Elizabeth Freedman—an expert in corporate etiquette—shares the rules of the workplace that only veterans survival secrets that will help you avoid the common mistakes that can sink careers at the gate. From getting a seat at the meeting table to dealing with a demanding boss, from talking salary in a performance review to what not to say at a business function, Work 101 tells you everything you need to know to master the (shameless) art of climbing the corporate ladder.


• Manage the manager—how to survive any type of boss, including the Boss from Hell
• Master the art of introduction—have them at hello!
• Create winning e-mails that actually get read—and tips for avoiding on-screen blunders and other career-ending disasters
• How to handle a “cube invader”
• What not to order, wear, or say at a business lunch
• The real rules for dressing business casual—what to wear and when
• How not to be clueless about promotions and (bigger) bonuses
• The five steps to employee-boss success—including the top-ten things to listen to and observe
• How to avoid burning your bridges (and other great exit strategies)…and much, much more!

Genres: Business

273 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Mikejencostanzo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this one as an e-book actually -- the first e-book I've actually read cover to cover in it's entirety! I checked it out from the public library's website as one that looked good to read, since my current temp job has plopped me firmly in the clutches of the corporate world for the very first time.

There were a number of good things I gleaned from this book. Good points, lesson, reminders from the author that have actually come in pretty handy on the job.

Author, Elizabeth Freedman addresses issues like:

*Making a good first impression
*Corporate dress code
*Behaving yourself at corporate lunches
*Navigating meetings
*Handling difficult bosses & co-workers
*Self promotion & getting ahead
*Leaving well
*Job searching
*Resume writing
*Interviewing

I found the tips on dress-code, eating with the boss, & office etiquette to be very helpful. The tips on job searching, resume writing and interviewing were downright painful to read. (I owe that to reading this material right on the heels of a very emotionally exhausting job-search.) I think I'll be able to think freshly about tweaking my resume and interview skills in a month or two. Right now, I might almost have to say it's a little embarrassing/shame-producing for me to think about???

It's interesting too how I've been imbibing the content of this book, while at the same time trying to digest another book called James on Wisdom Faith at work : studies in the book of James. The second book is not on my list of favorite books on Wisdom, by far. However, being written from a Christian perspective, it does draw out a distinction between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of the world. Through this lens, I would have to label the content of Work 101 as genuinely Worldly Wisdom.

It is content that will help you get ahead, stay ahead, and look out for good old number one.

The way that the author addresses dealing with difficult co-workers for example, was a bit of a turn-off for me. The author's technique was to avoid as much as possible treating them like real people. Instead, the approach is to slap a label on them: "The Tyrant Boss," "The Always-in-your-cubicle Co-worker," "The Whiner," etc. Once you have them labeled, you simple follow a formula prescribed by Freedman to distance yourself from the effects of their company as much as possible.

Or the approach Freedman offers to getting ahead... No one else is going to promote you or look out for you. So you need to do it. Make sure your boss knows the accomplishments you've been accruing. Send him quarterly updates. Shamelessly promote yourself.

I don't have a problem with being shrewd in business, or even letting people know what you're up to. However, I think what this portion of the book lacks is the perspective that ultimately, while there are proactive things we can do, we're not in total control of our own destiny. And, there IS someone looking out for us.

I'll end with a favorite quote that keeps things in perspective. It's taken from an anonymous old Puritan prayer-book:

"He will do better for thee than thou with all thy care and solicitude can do for thyself."

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading self-help and business books, so this was right up my alley... even though I started my first corporate job over a decade ago and am currently at home with my daughter.

I agree with the author’s advice wholeheartedly and highly recommend this book for any young people entering corporate life for the first time. I also found this to be a good refresher course for individuals joining professional organizations, especially if you are entrenched in your own company’s specific corporate culture.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book back in college a decade ago. It's one of the very few that I kept. I loved everything about this book. It's witty, funny, and everything a college textbook isn't supposed to be. I don't even remember the name of the business class I took :') obviously, I can't tell you which books to get for your classes anyway but this one is great if you want to get into business or find yourself in a new position in a corporate setting.

[Nathan Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought having an entire chapter on dining etiquette was ridiculous, but then I went to a lunch meeting...

The chapter about "when to know when it's time to move on" was interesting. All else was pretty much stating the obvious (with an intended audience of the clueless).

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an introduction to corporate cultures (in an abstract sense) for new employees in their first jobs after school. If you're new to a job, it's worth taking some time to understand some of the stated and unstated rules of the workplace.

[Sue Chan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kinda shallow

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Clothes should be crisp, pressed, and neat, so get rid of the khaki pants with the frayed edges around the bottom or the shirt that always seems to look wrinkled." hmmmm...time to go shopping.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for the 1st timers. Author explained why and laid out the plans for execution.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had read this ten years ago. TEN years ago. Arghhhhhh