Working the Crowd

Now that you have the big-picture view of your new company, it is time to get to know people one-on-one. Establishing strong on-the-job relationships will drive your career growth and give you a reason to come to work in the morning. When you first meet new colleagues, it's hard to imagine having an informal lunch meeting with them or talking reality television in front of the watercooler. You might think that your fellow employees should approach you because you are the new kid. However, in most companies, the pace of business is so frenetic that you'll be lucky if people even notice you've arrived. It's your responsibility to make sure that you are professionally and socially integrated into your department, and you'll be better off if you take action sooner rather than later. In this chapter, I'll discuss strategies for getting to know your new boss and navigating your company's social scene. I'll also touch on how to practice cringe-free networking and how to scout out the antidote for corporate insanity—your mentor.