Five Ways To "Hang Tough" on A New Professional Block

BLOGGER'S NOTE: I've never considered myself a boy bander. That fanatic fan who pledges their undying love for one or all members of a music exec conceived and A&R incubated group of perfectly manscaped "boy" archetypes (the cute one, the young one, the actor, etc.) with questionable musical aptitudes and an even more suspicious absence of instruments. Sure I was part of a corporate marketing team over ten years ago that created a national NSYNC bobblehead promotion (You're welcome and I'm sorry); and ironically in the same year while staying at a hotel on South Beach with girlfriends, randomly met and had breakfast with Jordan Knight, "the cute one" of NKOTB fame (he still was cute also polite and disarmingly shy), but boy bander?  Ahhh, NO.  

When I found myself humming, "Hanging Tough" while curating this post, however, I seriously had to consider the possibility of an unacknowledged affinity for all things Ron, Bobbie, Ricky, and Mike. (Millenials readers substitute Louis, Niall, and Liam - RIP Harry and Zayn.)  

"BACK FOR GOOD"
After receiving a recent LinkedIn message from a Resume RANTS reader sharing how he's missed my posts, I realized just how surprisingly long it's been since I've last written. What's felt like a short, few week hiatus in reality has become a long-term career advice sabbatical. Had I finally listened to my mom and stopped being so "bossy" about other people's professional business and started handling my own? Kinda...

Minus the bossy, I had considered my own career counsel, packed up my entire life, moved cross-country, and started a new professional adventure. Based on the past eight months, I've been reminded of just how:

• Much I've missed the East Coast
• Unequipped certain cities are for snow removal
• Daunting starting a new job can be

Though I honestly can say that my now, not-so-new employer rolled out the red carpet for me, I know from prior experiences, as well as through countless anecdotes of others about the stress and even anxiety of starting a new job. Sure, the first few weeks a new employee is treated like a shiny penny - the one everyone gets to know, takes to lunch, and even helps with the overly temperamental copier. A few months later and no longer so shiny, that same employee is taking up too much space in the communal frig, parking in someone's unassigned but regular spot, and still not able to make copies.

It's tough being the new kid on a professional block, but certainly not insurmountable. With the help of the five boy band archetypes below, any office newbie will be hanging tough in no time.

THE CUTE ONE
It's not about cute, it's about culture; company culture. In the first few days and weeks of any new role, an employee should make a conscious effort to observe their professional environment. "When does everyone get in and leave for the day, are lunches typically taken at desks, how much non-work related socializing is acceptable?" are all questions any office newbie should immediately seek answers to.

Some cultural cues are more obvious than others so when in doubt, it's always good to befriend a colleague who has seniority and some patience.  Someone willing to share unspoken but exacting organizational nuances, as well as be a resource for questions even the dumb ones. 

It's important, however, to stay above the office fray and not align with the ever-disgruntled colleague with a track record of complaints and not accomplishments. There's no quicker way to tarnish a professional reputation than to associate with a negative workplace Nelly, Nancy, or Neil.

THE BROTHER OF THE CUTE ONE
Regardless of familial ties, in a new professional environment it's important for an employee to work as if they're still engaged in the interview process because, technically, they are. From a hiring manager's perspective, the first 60 to 90 days of a new role are probationary and set the tone for an employee's future advancement and tenure. During these critical months, professional energies should be focused on gaining work momentum and showing results.

A mistake I've seen first-time, as well as seasoned professionals make is getting too comfortable too quickly. Respect and workplace flexibility are not handed out with security badges during orientation. They are earned over time through consistent and positive performance.

THE ACTOR
We've all heard that old saying, "fake it till you make it." In a new job, these are words to work by. I guarantee that any new employee's hiring manager is expecting the same confidence and professional prowess as demonstrated during the interview process. This doesn't mean that questions cannot be asked or minor mistakes made. It does mean that managers, as well as colleagues are expecting a high level of competence or as I call it, the figure-it-out factor - the ability to assess what needs to be done regardless of circumstance and make it happen.

THE YOUNGEST
Age ain't nothin but a number. This might be true in many areas of life, but I'm sorry to say, not when it comes to knowing it all at work. Though eager to contribute, new employees should use caution when doling out direction and advice to their tenured colleagues. "Well, when I was president of my college's creative writing club, we would..." is not a statement anyone wants to hear in a post-collegiate environment. In fact, it's the comedic equivalent of, "When I was at band camp..."

I'm certainly not picking on recent grads. A know-it-all is annoying regardless of career longevity and should, as an HR colleague often says, "know your lane." It's imperative that all new employees understand what is and isn't appropriate in their individual positions and within a company's hierarchy (and yes, there is one). Though I personally cannot vouch for the happenings at band camp, I do know that giving suggestions and providing solutions goes a long way in building respectful workplace relationships.

WHO (The Boy No One Ever Remembers)?
The most underestimated but truly impactful advice for any new employee is this: it's not who, it's what and that's coffee! There's no better way to win the often fickle hearts and tired minds of coworkers than with a strong cuppa joe. Trust me, great conversation, professional and otherwise, happen while caffeinated. Making a quick stop at the company coffee cart or to an around-the-block Starbucks provides an excellent opportunity to bond with team members and forge workplace alliances.

"ARE YOU TOUGH ENOUGH?"
Navigating the dynamics of a new workplace takes time and often a fair amount of self-deprecation. New employees should not compromise building the right reputation, one that denotes professional accountability and respect, for instant yet fleeting notoriety with colleagues. A slow and steady approach will not only win the race, it will provide job longevity and admiration among peers.