Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer
Unfortunately, meetings are not an expendable part of corporate America. They are, however -- or at least they can seem like -- a colossal waste of time. (Unless, of course, food is served.)
Mind-numbing as they may be, meetings are necessary. If conducted efficiently, they're useful and can help you stand out in the workplace.
Though you might be making all the right meeting moves, there are always folks who struggle with the concept of "good meeting behavior." There are always those who talk out of turn, snap their gum loudly or spin in their chairs while others are speaking.
Whether you're the meeting leader or just a participant, prevent yourself from being "that guy" and never make these meeting mistakes:
We've all been embarrassed at work. In fact, just this morning, a woman stopped by to tell my cubemate that a picture of her and her friends was in the printer by her office, in case she was looking for it. At first my associate was confused, but then she realized that the woman was referring to a picture that my co-worker printed (clearly to the wrong printer) to hang in her cube. Oops.
Each November, the idea of giving thanks takes center stage in many people's minds. But in the business world, knowing how -- and when -- to give thanks is always valuable, regardless of the season. Properly thanking a colleague, mentor, reference or interviewer shows that you have a certain amount of class and professionalism. 
Does your job drive you crazy? Do you sometimes wonder if you are the only sane person in working there? Is your workplace dysfunctional, or is it you? Here's how to find out" 
Incessant phone-ringing, constant keyboard clacking, neighbors chatting: these are but a few of the annoyances cubicle dwellers must deal with on a daily basis. While working in an open-plan environment has its perks -- easy interaction with teammates and increased camaraderie, to name just two -- it can be challenging when colleagues don't heed proper workplace etiquette.
