Emily Post's Business Etiquette

by Lizzie Post, Daniel Post Senning

This updated edition of Emily Post’s classic guide to business etiquette has been completely rewritten with comprehensive advice on everything professionals and jobseekers need to know about working in our post-pandemic world.

No matter the industry or the position, business is built on relationships—and at the heart of all good relationships is good etiquette. Understanding what good business etiquette is about, and how to adapt it to your job, is key to building a successful career. For instance, how you adjust your attire as you transition from a large corporation to a small start-up will greatly determine your new colleagues’ first impressions of you. Even how you address a co-worker’s body odor problem can vary depending on how your workplace is structured. Work environments are complex, and it’s important to know how to identify what type of environment you’re in and how to adjust your behavior accordingly.

Emily Post’s Business Etiquette includes thought-provoking essays and step-by-step instructions with charts, sample language, examples, and key takeaways throughout every chapter. Professionals and jobseekers are guided through the dos and don’ts of traditional workplace etiquette, such as how to write a business letter, when to send a thank-you note, and how to navigate a business meal. Readers will also find advice addressing common post-pandemic concerns like video conferencing norms, workflow management tools for remote work, and maintaining work-life balance while working from home.

With helpful new guidance on understanding generational differences, developing gender-neutral manners, and respecting diversity, Emily Post’s Business Etiquette is the perfect resource for professionals looking to succeed and get ahead in their careers.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

Published May 20, 2025

About the author

Lizzie Post, another of Emily Post's great-great-granddaughters, is the first member of the fourth generation of Posts. Her book is titled How Do You Work This Life Thing? (Collins 2007). Lizzie also writes about twenty-something life and etiquette at her blog Not Gonna Lie….

Reviews

[A Bookworm Crafts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This updated edition of Emily Post’s classic guide to business etiquette is the perfect book for young professionals.

Clearly presented just like the other Emily Post guides, it is divided into 11 chapters: What's the Point, The Five-Step Process, Personal Appearance, Getting the Job, Methods of Communication, Civility at Work, Meetings, Business Social, Business Meals, and Leadership. As such, it provides advice for all career stages, from application to retirement.

Each chapter has worksheets and checklists summarising some of the core advice, making it easy to quickly flip through to find the information you need.

A recommended read for professionals of any age.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book, I know it will remain a trusted reference as I continue through my personal and professional journey. I hadn’t fully realized just how deeply etiquette influences every aspect of a career until I explored the insights shared here.

Lizzie and Daniel offer thoughtful, practical guidance that is both timeless and highly relevant. Their recommendations have given me a clearer sense of how to navigate professional settings with confidence and respect.

I often found myself thinking how valuable this book would have been when I graduated from university in 1996. That said, I’m grateful to have found it now—better late than never.

[Birdie.Recommends · Rating 4 out of 5]

This step-by-step guide covers essential “soft skills” for professional success, from communication and networking to workplace decorum. As workplaces become more casual, this book serves as a useful resource for maintaining professionalism in modern corporate settings.

The book provides plenty of real-world examples, making it easy to apply its lessons to daily work interactions. Whether you're navigating office dynamics, business dinners, or virtual meetings, this guide offers practical advice to help you make a polished and positive impression.

Thank you to the Author, Ten Speed Press and NetGalley for a free ARC copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

[Miranda Vilar Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun guide to navigating the modern business world. It adapts to a more digital, post-pandemic environment. This isn't a stuffy etiquette book, there is humor in unexpected places. The illustrations and checklists are refreshers on each chapter's main points. Beautifully designed and written, it will remain a trusted resource for years to come.

[Nick Salenga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that is perfect resource for those looking to get ahead in their careers & establish their professional identities with helpful new insights into understanding generational differences, gender-neutral manners, embracing diversity.

[Elle · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

[Anastey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley, Ten Speed Press, Lizzie Post, and Daniel Post Senning for sending me this advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is the perfect reference guide for anyone anyone working in a business setting, or looking to find a new job. It exactly what I expected from an Emily Post book.

There is an incredible amount of information packed into these pages. Everything is explained in a way that is very easy to understand, without making you feel dumb. There are charts and references that will be helpful to revisit to in the future.

I love that it walks you step by step for writing a resume, and explains why you should do things a certain way. The same for cover leters, phone calls, meetings, emails, and interviews as well.


I highly recommend getting this as a paper book vs a digital. This is one that you will want to keep as a reference that you can flip through. The information is timeless, and will serve you well for many years to come.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful and thorough, explaining good manners in all variety of business situations. I did find myself wondering often "who comes up with these rules?" because some of them are oddly specific and arbitrary - would be interesting to have some history tidbits in a book like this.