Fitting In as a Millennial in Corporate America

It’s not easy — let me tell you why

Say What Now?

A long time ago I saw a phrase for meeting people in bars and social settings, and it went like this:

Step 1: Be Attractive

Step 2: Don’t Be Unattractive

The point is to embrace the things you can work with and also do your best to live up to the potential others see in you. At first glance, people judge, and from there, well, that’s Step 2.

How does this apply to working in Corporate America? First impressions are what get you the job, and what you do after that is up to you. Once you’re in, you don’t want to mess it up. That means “fitting in” to the environment.

The Mute Chameleon

Chameleon lizards are well known because of how they adapt to their environment. They quietly change their skin tone to fit in and it’s an evolutionary thing. Instead of using poison or claws or weapons, the lizard tries to blend in.

Corporate America is very similar — when you get a gig in the big leagues, you’re going to join up with a lot of people who have been there a lot longer than you. They know the company, they know the problems, and they know the secrets through gossip.

Being quiet has its advantages at first because listening instead of talking is not exactly a strong suit for the Millennial generation. It’s like we’re almost expected to want to run everything through a filter of our own perspective, but in Corporate America, that isn’t welcome.

It’s unattractive to be a Millennial who claims to know a lot. It’s actually better to know a lot and be humble and listen, because you’re playing against assumptions. That makes you attractive.

On How to Dress for Success

Okay, we are all entitled to being ourselves, but in Corporate America as a Millennial, expressing that individuality by way of clothing will not go over well. Have you seen the Zebra Corner “Real People” commercial with the Millennial crew? It’s so on point it hurts:

My tattoo count is zero. My piercing count is zero. I don’t have facial hair or wear tight jeans and roll up the cuffs to show off the Chuck Taylors or whatever.

What I wear on the job is not necessarily for me, but to show that I take my job seriously. Slacks, a button down shirt, matching belt and shoes — this is my uniform of choice. In return, when I come across Baby Boomer bosses who are dressed more casually like in a Polo shirt and jeans, they seem to understand the deal.

Don’t get me wrong — over dressing can hurt you. Wearing a suit as an Entry Level Worker Drone is not going to help. You’ve probably heard this one before:

Dress for the job you want, not the one you have!

No, no, and no to that mentality. Ambition is good, but humility is better. Showing the investment to take your job seriously but in a way that kind of blends in with some traditions is the best course, and it will be appreciated by all around you.

If you can’t afford laundry service, learn how to iron your own clothes. Take pride in your appearance. Take more pride in being able to adapt to your new environment, Corporate America, because a wrinkled shirt and bad personal hygiene are self-inflicted wounds.

Don’t Stand Up in the Canoe

Ever been in a canoe? They are unstable and a great exercise in learning how to work with other people on a mission. Think of your new job in Corporate America like being in a canoe with a team.

Look around, ask for tips, go slow at first, and from there things might work out. Instead of being the one that people gossip about, you can be the one people gossip to about other people! Getting inside information like that is akin to being a spy, because your mission is survival. What you learn can be the difference between being set up and having an Ace in your back pocket to drop the dime on somebody.

As a Millennial, the assumption is that you’re going to walk in and have some attitude issues about how things have been done over the years. Whether you’re right or not, it doesn’t matter, because speaking up is a way to start picking fights you can’t win.

All it does is verify the stereotype, and that’s counter-productive to fitting in.

Here to Work, Not Make Friends

For the past 10 years, I’ve gone to work to make money, get health insurance, save for retirement, and if I happen to make some personal connections, cool. Work people are not Friends any more than going into a restaurant and meeting the entire Kitchen Staff.

Sure, treat them well, but to me, friends occupy a certain zone of safety and trust that I don’t offer to co-workers right away.

Small talk is nice. You can find out who has dogs, kids, or interesting hobbies. You can also find out which people are unhinged or bullies really quick. Be self-interested with open ears and people will show you their true colors.

Building work relationships is good and be cautious letting people learn who you really are and what your dreams might be. Having drinks after work is cool and totally realistic on a professional level, and don’t turn down a good offer.

On the other hand, getting invited over to a person’s house or apartment to play video games and eat sushi with somebody you barely know is risky.

Just like in a bar, never trust a drink that is handed to you.

Lead By Example

Show up on time. What time is that? The right time — it might be 10 minutes earlier than your Boss, it might mean just being consistent by 8 AM. Millennials are not praised as a generation for their hustle and adherence to tradition.

On the other side of the job, don’t leave early just because you want to go do something else. There is something to be said for the commitment to sitting in the desk and looking busy just like everybody else and leaving with the crowd. The point is to fit in.

Another piece of wisdom from my Dad is this:

It takes Seven “Good Job” compliments to balance out One “You Screwed Up”

To cash in that chip means you have to have something to prove the mistake is just that — an accident, not the way you live and treat things. So that’s how it works. You earn your keep first then they keep you around even when it doesn’t look like you earned it.

Think About Next Year

This is the big kicker — you can see what you can see at first, and have to make it work if you want to be there in the short term. In the long run, there’s a good chance a lot of the people you see might not be there next year — why? Who cares!

Care about yourself and plan ahead because getting a job in Corporate America is a lot harder than losing it when you are a truly skilled Professional. You were brought in because of your skills and you will add value from the first month onward. It should be an exponential curve if you’re a Millennial — once you get in, start with the expectations they gave you, and then exceed them. The ROI is tangible.

If you don’t fit in because you challenge the system and expect it to bend to you, then next year isn’t really any concern. You’ll wash out like a cross-eyed moron trying to apply to be an Air Force Fighter Jock. They don’t hand out $20 Million dollar airplanes paid for by the taxpayers to anybody who just shows up and asks for one, know what I mean?

Maybe the fitting in part is something you don’t want to do, and that’s not unusual. You didn’t pick these people, you picked the job because you have to eat and pay your bills. Unless you’re in charge, you just have to make the best of the situation…

That’s when the Survival instinct takes over, and that’s the next topic…