Characteristics of the U.S. Workplace

You may be surprised at some of the characteristics you find in the U.S. workplace. Supervisors may share personal information that you would normally share only with close friends and may allow you to call them by their first name. Socializing on the job is common, and your boss will often join in. Despite this friendliness, you are always expected to do your job and act appropriately. To succeed in your job, you will be expected to:

Be a Team Player
You'll find that working in the U.S. is all about "teamwork." U.S.Citizens often use "team sport" vocabulary in the workplace. Help your co-workers, and don't be afraid to ask for their help when you need it. Your employer may even ask you to perform tasks outside of your job description. This is normal, and will benefit your level of experience!

The ultimate goal in the U.S. workplace is completing the job. Members of a workgroup, including your boss will be very flexible about the work each team member does to achieve that goal.

Be On Time- Punctuality!
Being "on time" is essential, and showing up earlier than expected makes a good impression on your employer. Showing up late is unacceptable -- if you are late repeatedly, you will be seen as a person who doesn't take their job seriously. You will find that during business hours, conversations are usually short and to the point. You will have plenty of time to get to know your colleagues during breaks.

Dress Appropriately
Look at how others dress to see what is appropriate clothing. You should attempt to match the look of the workplace. If in doubt, dress conservatively! You should also dress conservatively for job interviews; even if the workplace dress is casual, you should dress somewhat formally for the interview. During the interview you can ask about the style of dress required for your particular job.

Do as the Others Do
U.S. Citizens shake hands often, and do not kiss cheeks as often as other nationalities. Shake hands firmly. Try not to be too quiet, as people in the U.S. often enjoy seeing emotional reactions, and a reserved attitude may suggest that you are unfriendly.

Keep Your Promises
If you have agreed to work a certain amount of time for your employer, you should keep your promise. Employers, especially those involved with summer or winter tourism, rely on their staff to work until the agreed date. If you do end up leaving your job before the agreed date, you should give two weeks written notice before leaving.

Be Enthusiastic and Flexible
Have a positive attitude towards the job you accept. Participants who arrive to work with "wrong" expectations irritate employers. Employers are looking for workers who are enthusiastic and willing to learn. Flexibility, enthusiasm, and teamwork are very important in the U.S. workplace. Without these, you risk losing your job.