Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Proper Phone Etiquette in Meetings

Everywhere you go you see cell phones glued to heads of people passing by, whether they are alone or in a group, walking, driving or even riding a bicycle. Ever notice those people standing alone talking to themselves? Conversations on the 'hands-free' model wrapped around their ear really just makes them look silly.

Cell phones have made life easier....when your car breaks down on the side of the road, a call for that "I forgot" item you need to pick up at the store, or finding your group when you get separated at the mall. But, cell phones have also become major annoyances.

People have forgotten, or perhaps they never learned, proper cell phone etiquette. In discussing this recently with my son, he mentioned seeing three people walking together, all totally engaged in a cell phone conversation. (I seriously doubt they were on a conference call with one another!) What is the point of being together with friends if you are too busy talking to other people? The message being sent is, "My phone conversation is more important than being fully present with you."

The same goes for phone calls and text messaging during business meetings. Taking a phone call during a meeting or sending messages is, well, there is no other way to put it...both arrogant and rude. Doing either during an interview? A sure way to get your resume tossed into the trash upon your exit from the interview! Why? Because you are essentially saying to the interviewer that your phone call/message is far more important than what they have to say.

You may think by keeping the phone in your lap, below the edge of the table that it goes unnoticed, but think again. Tell-tell signs are: eyes averted, lack of focus on the speaker, "the glow" from the phone (yes it does show!), click-click-click noise, head motion up and down to hands in your lap, and most annoying, the ring, alarm, or vibration when the call comes in. People do notice and vital first opinions are being formed about you.

So, what is proper phone etiquette in meetings? First rule: leave the phone in the car or turn it off and put it in your bag or pocket. Second, don't bring it out, for any reason...unless there is a fire or emergency and you need to call 911! If the phone is set to vibrate or the screen lights up showing "you got mail", you will be tempted to look and see who called. Don't. Fight the urge.

Let the calls go to voice mail. All calls can wait until you have a break during the meeting or the interview is over. A constant barrage of calls or messages does not make you cool or important. Leave high school/college behavior where it belongs. You may be too young to remember, but there really was a time before cell phones...and the world amazingly still moved forward.