I
remember that beginning typing classes if it were yesterday I was lucky enough to
have this for sale as my teacher he taught us much more than typing he was
teaching us to get along in the business world and typing was only a part of it
all right class stop typing please before we go on with the next exercise I'd
like to make one of my little speeches this is your first course in preparing
for an office job you're starting a new career it can be fun or it can be hard it
all depends on the way you look at things your attitude for instance you'll be
working in an office well don't forget the golden rule works there just as it
does anywhere else treat others as you want to be treated here's how it applies
to an office first of course know your job enjoy it but also enjoy the people
that you're working with be considerate of them and be considered of your
employer remember those simple rules of office etiquette and you'll get along in
the business world now then let's do skill building practice eight same
margin begin typing when ready
it wasn't until I got my first job that I really began to understand some of the
things Mr. Sena told us
I think this application is filled out all right Mr. Arnold thank you I see you're
a student of Mr. Selves we have a number of her former students with us a
recommendation means a great deal here I enjoyed being in her classes you did
very well on your test can you start Monday morning Monday morning oh that
would be wonderful Mr. Arnold we're a small organization that Spencer we find
that getting along with people is pretty important do you think you can do that oh
yes I think I can find we'll see you Monday I believe your coach in the other
office yes. And thank you.
I was a little worried about that first job I guess everybody is but Mr. Selves
advice kept running through my head first of all know your work enjoy it and
also enjoy the people that you're working with be considerate of them and be
considerate of your employer remember those simple rules of office etiquette and
you'll get along in the business world. I plan to get there early that first day I
wore my good suit because it was plain and neat and seemed just right for an
office.
Good morning I'm Joan Spencer oh yes we're expecting you to come to me will be
your supervisor she's on her way and now don't you ever think thank you. How do
you do miss Spencer ready to go to work I'm looking forward to it Mr. Arnold
good morning good morning Miss Hamilton this is Miss Spencer she's a stenographer
and file clerk who's starting this morning how do you do miss and I understand
you're one of Mr. Selves students yes I was graduated last semester I know are
quite well I'll show you where to leave your things and then we can get to work
all right. Girls this is Miss Spencer.
This Hamilton and Mr. Arnold certainly set a good example of courtesy for us to
follow. This will be your day. This book contains some of our forms and procedures
study it a while and then we'll start you on your first assignment all right.
The girls took me to lunch that first day. It looked like it wouldn't be hard to
follow part of this for self advice the part about enjoying the people you're
working with.
The part about know your work was a little harder I did a lot on my own those
first few weeks there was many an evening at home getting acquainted with the
company's work and learning some of its business terms what a long time ago that
was it hardly seems possible now there was ever a time when I didn't know those
terms. But I found that I still had a lot to learn.
Some of it I learned the hard way. Thank you Miss Spencer.
Well this. Yes Mr King this letter that you type this morning I believe there's
a mistake here it doesn't seem to make sense I can't remember just what word I
use there but I don't think I could have said this Oh yes Mr King that's what you
said I have it right in my book well suppose I give you this paragraph over
again. Yes sir.
In view of our current production schedule. We think it will be necessary to curtail
our order number three two five six I had made
a mistake of course. It wasn't anything that Mr King said but I learned then to
admit my mistakes gracefully instead of arguing about them are offering alibis I
learned to ask when I wasn't sure instead of making a wild guess. And I learned not
to resent criticism or to brood over it. Since then I've learned a lot of do's and
don'ts about office etiquette by watching the others in the office. I learned that
Mr Sellers short sentence be considered of your employer to cover a whole
multitude of things. One of the most important things of course was doing
office work during office hours. I
found that writing personal letters didn't help to get the work done.
Who do you think we ran into. I learned the personal telephone calls interfered
with business. I was so mad I could have.
Wouldn't think you would back kind would you. I learned that it's only fair to plan
your personal life so that you're always able to put in a full day's work.
Working right up to the end of the day. And I learned that a date after work is no
reason to break the rule about simple dress in the office. I learned to the
importance of consideration for fellow workers. Often makes for extra work in the
office. And. I learned to mind my own business by watching some didn't Mr I want
to know if the insurance list is ready it will be in a moment wait for it won't you.
You know you shouldn't do that.
But most of what I learned came from the people who really know their jobs.
I learned the importance of me and organization and planning.
And even though I kept getting more things to take care of there were times when I
could help others and times when they would return the favor.
All these things became even more important when I became Mr Arnold Secretary
his work included public relations as well as personnel so I had plenty to do I
had more contact with people outside the company and I learned the importance of
consideration for them to and especially courtesy on the telephone good morning
Mr Arnold office he's in conference just now this is his secretary may I help you
with the acne printing company oh yes yes no that order was for twenty thousand.
May we expect next Tuesday. Oh that'll be fine Mr Dorma yes goodbye.
Good morning my name is Herbert Forbes I have an appointment with Mr Arnold oh yes
Mr Forbes Mr Arnold will be with you in
a moment he has to fill out this application blank you may sit at the table
over there. Good morning Mr
Arnold office. Oh I'm sorry Mr Fulton he's in conference just now may I have him
call you back. Yes. Oh yes.
Well that's the story as I look back on it now it's surprising how often the things
Mr Sell talked about from class apply here in the office. You did very well on
your test Miss Collins but I suppose that's only to be expected of one of Mr
Sell students. But you still make that little speech on office etiquette Oh yes I
know it by heart first of course know your work enjoy it but also enjoy the people
you're working with considerate of them and be considered if you're in play or
those rules have certainly helped me I shall always be grateful for them we'll see
you in the morning then yes I'll be here. Fine.
Music.