In an increasingly competitive marketplace, knowing how to behave in the professional world has
never been more important for sixth-formers and graduates. Etiquette Expert, Emma Dupont,
explains why both business and social skills are as important as qualifications in securing the next
stage of a young adults progression:
Qualifications are the basic requirements in order for any student to be considered for an
internship, permanent position in a company or university place. The next stage is the toughest
part and this is about how they measure up compared with other aspirants. Decisions to reject
candidates can often occur within the first five minutes of an interview so they must ensure they
stand out from their peers from the outset.
The way a young man or lady greets a potential employer or Dean of a university, along with the
subliminal messages they send out, will leave a lasting impression that can influence whether they
are offered a position. For example, it is absolutely fundamental that they can confidently
introduce themselves formally and others according to gender, age and rank, shake hands
competently and hold an interesting conversation.
Often a candidate may not be the front-runner for a position, but if their social skills and good
manners demonstrate that they will fit well into the desired environment then they can be offered
the placement with an understanding that any lacking technical skills can be taught once they are
on board.
Many city executives are now conducting interviews over lunch. Why? So they can observe how
the candidate navigates chatting and eating at the same time, how well versed they are in dining
etiquette and how they cope in a pressurized environment.
Creating a polished, professional image communicates confidence, executes presence and gravitas
and ensures their impact is aligned to their qualifications and positioning. Did you know that 93%
of a first impression is based on how we look and sound? The way we all carry ourselves tells the
world what we are feeling so it is important for young adults to have full awareness of the
messages that they are sending out.
Rightly or wrongly we employ people that we like and that we feel will fit in. The challenge for a
candidate is to let their personality shine through showing a good balance of confidence,
impeccable manners and emotional intelligence.
With over twenty years in the corporate world, Emma Dupont’s Young Adult’s Business Training
Programme focuses on helping people to understand the importance of carrying themselves with
confidence and authority, introducing themselves and others correctly along with interview
etiquette and why this is so often overlooked. She will also ensure that their dining skills are at the
correct level for a corporate environment and check that their social media channels are
portraying the right image for the new stage of their life.
The course offers students the opportunity to be placed above their peers and installs skills and
confidence that they will benefit from and can build on for the rest of their career.