Hyebin Kim has been working as an Executive Assistant through Whitman Associates since May of 2023.
She completed her Bachelor’s Degree of International Affairs with a concentration in Global Public Health at George Washington University. She currently resides in Arlington, Virginia, and is interested in pursuing a Master’s degree in the near future.
In her free time, she enjoys paddling boating, hiking and exploring the DMV area.
Hamilton College is where Andrew gained a lasting interest – the intersection of psychology and law. Following Andrew’s time at Hamilton, he relocated to the DMV area to begin a MA in Forensic Psychology at George Washington University.
Andrew completed his Masters in May and received the Academic Excellence in Forensic Psychology Award. While completing his final class, Andrew started a new role as the Intake and Office Assistant at a nonprofit legal clinic through Whitman Associates.
Andrew enjoys being outdoors and is looking forward to enjoying the summer before he begins law school at Georgetown in the fall!
After graduating from the George Washington University in May 2022, and a summer spent on the West Coast, Natalia Tecca returned to the DMV and started working as an Administrative and Database Assistant at a law firm through Whitman Associates in December of 2022.
While at GW, Natalia double majored in Psychology and Organizational Sciences with a minor in Criminal Justice and was awarded the Zeidner Prize for Undergraduate Excellence in Organizational Sciences. She has experience as an Employee Engagement Intern and volunteered as an Onboarding Assistant with the American Red Cross. She is also a math tutor for middle and high school students. In her free time she likes to spend time outdoors, going on walks or wandering around somewhere new. Natalia goes through phases of new artistic hobbies such as ceramics, painting, or embroidering and is currently learning how to crochet, typically accompanied by binge watching New Girl.
Isabelle Mack is a retired nonprofit professional who has worked in the nonprofit/philanthropic sector for more than 30 years and is dedicated to community service. She has received a number of community service awards that include the District of Columbia’s Ward 5 Council on Education, the President’s Award of Appreciation from the DC Congress of PTAs and the Outstanding Public Service Award to Public Schools from the Urban League (DC Chapter) as a result of her dedicated community service. She was a founding member of the Black Philanthropic Alliance that cultivated leadership and philanthropy in the African American Diaspora.
Ms. Mack is currently a notary public commissioned and bonded in the District of Columbia and a certified signing agent. Ms. Mack is also a former licensed realtor in the District of Columbia for over 10 years. Thus, she is quite familiar with all aspects of real estate sales and funding.
Ms. Mack is a native Washingtonian who enjoys hand dancing, which was declared the official dance of the District of Columbia. She is a second soprano and sings occasionally with the Senior Choir of the Shiloh Baptist Church.
Ms. Mack holds an Associate in Applied Science in Communications, Bachelor of Science in International Business with a minor in Human Resource Management and a Master of Science in Public Administration. She is a member of the National Notary Association and a member of the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society.
Office Etiquette Do’s And Don’ts: How To Prepare For A Return In Office
Office work is ubiquitous in the D.C. metropolitan area. However, many people may be returning to work after some time away, working remotely or joining the workforce for the first time, and may be rusty with office etiquette. Whatever your situation, it is important to be aware of office behavior guidelines and best practices.
Most employers provide written policies that make it clear how employees are expected to behave when representing the company. Nonetheless, it is important for job seekers to educate themselves on the do’s and don’ts of office etiquette. That is true whether you are preparing for an interview, starting your first day on a new job, or learning how to prepare for a return to the office.
Office work is inherently team-based. Workplace etiquette requirements are more than a series of boxes that need to be checked. Instead, they are best practices that allow you to support your team members and maximize your integration into a new team environment. The do’s and don’ts of office etiquette are meant to provide a framework for effective collaboration.
DO your best to make a good impression each day
New and returning office workers need to ensure they are punctual and dressed appropriately for their roles. Maintaining appropriate work attire and an accurate calendar may be a good place to start if you have been absent and are wondering how to prepare for a return to the office.
DON’T police your teammates
As you’re reviewing office etiquette do’s and don’ts, you may be tempted to call out team members who are not following best practices. However, it’s probably not within the scope of your role to supervise your coworkers. If you feel there is a serious issue with one of your colleagues, follow the proper channels for reporting employee behavior so that their supervisor can remind them of the office behavior guidelines.
DO learn how to properly make requests like taking time off
As a new hire, you may be in a probational situation with specific requirements regarding requests for time off. Familiarize yourself with best practices, and find out about your company’s guidelines as early as you can.
DON’T conduct a job search while at the office
This is especially relevant for temporary hires. While in your current role, you will likely be searching for a permanent placement of some kind. Do not search for other jobs or work on your resume while you are at the office.
DO read your company’s office behavior guidelines and learn where to ask questions
Basic office etiquette do’s and don’ts are common to most industries and organizations, but your employer may have a unique approach. New hires are usually provided with an employee handbook or basic behavioral guidelines as part of their onboarding. Be sure to read these, and learn which personnel you can bring your questions to.
DON’T assume that any team member can answer your questions
Human resource departments exist for a reason. Companies employ specialists to coordinate behavioral policy and ensure a positive work environment. If you have questions, ask the appropriate person – not every team member will be familiar with your organization’s official policies which may vary depending on your specific position.
DO some research into the COVID requirements in your industry
The do’s and don’ts of office etiquette have seen dramatic changes in the past few years. This includes basic logistical concerns around hybrid and remote work as well as new expectations for office interactions. Most organizations now have written guidelines that cover COVID-related issues such as masks, personal distance and cleaning policies. Make sure you know what your organization’s policies are, as the health of your coworkers may depend on it. It’s important to be respectful of your colleagues and following company guidelines regarding COVID is a great way to do that.
If you are working remotely, be sure to behave professionally in your online interactions. Likewise, be patient and courteous with colleagues who are navigating unorthodox work arrangements.
DON’T assume everyone is comfortable with a handshake
Recent events have made it clear that everyone needs to respect the personal space of others. One consequence of this is a reduction in the number of handshakes during an office workday. There is no widely agreed-upon substitute for handshakes at this time.
Ask your colleagues before going in for a handshake. If you are uncomfortable with others in your personal space, you may express this, but be sure to do so tactfully.
Finding a position that matches your experience and career goals simplifies a lot of questions around office etiquette.
Whitman Associates, Inc. has been connecting people in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia with the region’s top employers since 1972. We are happy to provide office etiquette do’s and don’ts specific to your new position. Call (202) 659-2111 in the DMV area or email us your resume.
Charlize Grady started working for an engineering company through Whitman Associates in October of 2022. She is loving the thrill and learning she’s getting from her job. She finds the work both challenging and rewarding. Charlize is also happy to have a flexible work schedule that allows her to work from home and spend time with her family.
Charlize Grady is a dedicated immigrant from the Philippines who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting Technology. She is a wife and mother to a three-year-old son. Charlize enjoys spending her free time at home watching movies with her family, and reading books. She is also a fan of the Golden State Warriors. Charlize has decided to re-enter the corporate world to build her career and make herself and her family proud of what she will accomplish as a woman.
Debra started work through Whitman Associates in 2022 and has loved being able to slowly get back into administrative work while testing the balance with her home life and other activities. She has completed several small assignments and just started her latest at a firm she worked for previously. The part-time, work-from-home assignments allow her to also spend time with her husband and 3 teens.
Debra loves to be outdoors, either on the lake, biking, hiking trails with her dogs or camping. She also enjoys teaching strength, mobility and dance fitness classes at her local YMCA, which she has done for 12 years. Debra is a fan of the Tennessee Volunteers and cheers them on the in whatever sport is in season.
How to ask for a job that does not exist yet (with sample email)
Job seekers tend to assume that all open positions are clearly listed. However, as few as 20% of open positions are posted on job boards. This means that job seekers who apply for work exclusively through job postings found online are missing a lot of opportunities. So how do you ask for a job that doesn’t exist or that isn’t listed as open? Just ask!
If you find a company you are interested in working for and don’t see any current openings listed that match your skill set, you can, and should, still submit a cover letter and resume to that company’s human resources department or to a suitable manager within the organization.
That may seem like a waste of time, but really, you will be getting ahead of the game. Whenever a position does open up, the hiring manager will hopefully already have you in mind. Take a look at this sample email asking for job openings to see what this looks like.
Subject line: [Your Job Title (for instance, “Legal Secretary”)] Interested in Career Opportunities
[First Name of HR/Recruiter/Hiring Manager]
My name is [your name], and I am a [recent grad from [school] OR job title and your expertise; for instance, a “social worker with experience in child welfare.”] I hope you’re doing well.
I realize you do not currently have a job opening listed for a [job title], however, I would still like to make introductions and explore ways I can help your team with [value you can provide; for instance, “developing accessibility-focused website projects.”]
I checked out the [company’s name] website and like the projects you are currently developing, in particular:
Note: This is also a great place to personalize your email and add information about where you heard about the company and why you would like to work for them.
For the past # years, I have worked with [your experience with examples of past clients or projects. Providing detail and showing you you will be an asset to their team is key.]
When time allows, please see a few examples of my work here:
Note: If you are a recent grad with limited real-world experience, provide links to college projects, case studies, internship projects or volunteer efforts.
I have also attached my resume to this email. Please let me know if I can provide more information.
Sometime in the near future, I look forward to speaking with you.
Warm Regards,
[Your name]
[Your email signature with contact information]
The bottom line for how you ask for a job that doesn’t exist is that you have to take the initiative. Simply calling or sending a note based on this sample email asking for job openings can tell hiring managers that you have initiative and are eager to work with them. The company or hiring manager may not necessarily be looking for someone, or at least not yet. But when you prove yourself to be an attractive candidate, you will get your foot in the door for whatever opportunities come next. Start with this sample email asking for job openings and see where it takes you!
We are pleased and proud to announce that, for the 5th year in a row, Whitman Associates, Inc. was named one of the Top 3 Staffing Agencies in Washington, D.C. by Three Best Rated®! Top 3 Staffing Agencies face a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes customer reviews, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence.
Thank you to our incredible clients and outstanding candidates and employees who have made this possible. WAI has provided the DMV with excellent staffing services since 1972, and we are honored to continue in that tradition today.
Before joining Whitman Associates in July 2022, Alex was a district staff member for a U.S. Representative in the Chicago suburbs, specializing in immigration casework and outreach. He also spent two years as a Teach For America Corps Member teaching middle school in Eastern North Carolina.
Through Whitman, Alex was placed in a temp-to-hire position as an Administrative and Database Assistant at a law firm in Dupont Circle. After the uncertainty of moving from Illinois to the DMV, the position has given him an opportunity to set down roots in the area while working with a great team of attorneys and administrative staff.
Alex lives in Prince George’s County, MD with his partner, Anna, and his cat, Furiosa. When he isn’t cheering on Arsenal FC or the Florida Gators, he is likely rewatching one of Mike Flanagan’s Netflix series, playing Destiny 2, or over-thinking his fantasy football lineup as defending league champion.
