Service of Employee Behavior: It Reflects on a Company’s or Organization’s Image
December 17th, 2018
Categories: Behavior, Follow-Up, Interviews, RSVP, Uniform
Most organizations diligently protect their images but it’s not always clear to members or employees how important each person can be.
I was first aware of this as a young child. We wore school uniforms. Students were asked to behave in public to reflect well on the school. “You represent us out there.” Made sense to me. [Many of us graduated from the school bus and took NYC public transportation as early as 5th grade.]
What about corporations? Just last week a friend told me that she’d had a few good job interviews via Skype with various people at a company and never received a response when she followed up with one of the staffers to see if she was still in the running. Such thoughtlessness on the part of a company’s employees reflects poorly on it.
How difficult is it for someone to draft a simple note–approved by the appropriate entities–to send any candidate the moment they are no longer being considered for a position? It took less than one minute to write this rough draft: “Hello________. Our job search took a different direction since we spoke. We enjoyed meeting you, thank you for your time, and have kept your resume on file. We look forward to being in touch again should the right position open up. We wish you all the best.” It’s important to keep up the spirits of anyone looking for a job and to make every candidate feel good about themselves. It costs little to do and reflects well on a company if its employees show empathy.
In my line of work following up is my middle name. I don’t expect to hear from people I pursue in my PR and fundraising efforts unless they are interested in my client’s product or event or in participating in a fundraising project. If the answer is “NO,” I am grateful to be told and think well of the person [and by extension, their company] for taking the time because they have been mindful of mine.
Are there other subtle ways that employees and students can boost—or detract—from the image of the company or organization they work for or attend? Is caring about such details passé?
It seems that in the present moment with the prevailing political and social norms emanating from our President and his entourage (as much as it is shrinking down), that any kind of thoughtful, socially considerate and even acceptable behavior or responses are unknown elemnets. We are assaulted verbally and socially as well with regard to most areas of daily living with neglect rudeness, horrible tactlessness and general all pervasive unpleasantness. I make a point of complimenting the supervisor of any functionary who is polite or helpful to me with the computer, banking, medical appointments or whatever. I think it is important to do so as a form of resistance to the social disintegration we are experiencing,
Socrates bitterly complained about the deterioration of good manners over two thousand years ago, so it looks as if the President, crude an individual as he may be, can’t be held responsible.
I am unable to comment on the job scene, but my impression with business contacts has been both cordial and productive. My experience is limited, but it may be that some, if not many, companies are attempting to block DC stench by reaching out to the public in a positive manner. Unfortunately incompetence appears to be the result of poor management, with minor employees having to take the heat.
Martha,
I agree with you to always let a supervisor or boss know if you’ve been treated well by staff. I fill out “how are we doing” forms from stores that sent them to me especially if I can say a good word about a super employee.
Lucrezia,
I agree that often poor training is the reason for crummy or careless service. At times a person takes a job they are not fit for by temperament or aptitude. Unsupervised, they will continue to pollute the company they work for turning away business by many for years to come if not always.