Ever worked an office job?

[Guaranteed]

I just started a new paralegal internship position. I've worked an office job before, briefly, and did well, but this seems pretty different, for some reason.

I'm actually pretty good at the job, so far. I feel good about my performance in itself. I've always felt like I'm well cut-out for legal work. I've felt in control of and on top of all of my work, even in the face of becoming familiar with the resources of the office itself. But something feels wrong. It's something about the environment.

I think it's the "professionalism." That's not to say that I'm uncomfortable with wearing nice clothes and working at a desk. That's all fine. I like that part. But there's something in the interaction with other people. It's really sterilized, and I feel like I'm not as good at that part of the job as others. I think the stress of the job gets me excited and doesn't allow me to put on that professional face like others are able to do. There's a lot of added pressure for me with this job, too, because with me being in my mid-twenties, this is kind of my last shot at being a real professional. But just a few days into it I feel like I'm starting to kind of lose it.

What are your guys' experiences with office jobs? Can you understand where I'm coming from on this?

[2Design]

1. around 27 to 32 to start to gain that - give yourself a break n/t

[Guaranteed]

3. Thanks, I'll try that.

That's good to hear. :)

[tjdee]

2. I feel how you do... the "professionalism" drives me up the wall.

I don't want to be best friends with people at work, but I'd like to at least be able to small talk about other than the weather. Perhaps for you it's that you're not there long enough yet to get the proper vibes from the work crowd?

[Guaranteed]

4. Exactly.

I was 20 years old when I had my last office job. But I get the feeling that that job was less "professional" than this job. It kind of had lower standards, as far as the office etiquette.

Again, though, I do think I'm pretty good at the work that I'm doing. It's hard to tell because I haven't gotten much feedback yet. But I guess the office etiquette thing is something you just kind of have to slide into.

[SharonRB]

5. Maybe it's the fact that it's a law office?

They may tend to be a bit more formal than other types of offices. I understand what you mean, but I've always worked in an office in various capacities -- architecture, insurance and I've been at an HR consulting firm for the past 11 years. None of them have been sterile like that. Sometimes it depends on the people and the type of business and I have a feeling law offices are more like that. I worked at a very small law firm once, but that was back in the early 70s so things were very different then.

[Mizmoon]

6. Here's my honest advice

about working in an office:

1) Do not talk about your personal life unless asked. Even then, say little.

2) Do not trust that people who are being nice to you are actually nice. This is not school. People turn on each other if they need to to save their butts.

3) Come in early and stay late. For some reason the number of hours you devote in the first two years determines how high you will go in the company. After two years you can slack because everyone remembers your 12 hour day rep from earlier.

4) Don't do anything on work computers that you would not want read aloud at the next staff meeting.

5) Honesty is not the best policy. There is a whole code going on that you don't quite grasp yet. You know how "she left to spend more time with her family" really means "we fired her ass"? There are a million business euphemisms like that you need to learn. For example, an impossible demand that will never be met is something "we'll get to in phase II".

I know ... it sounds awful. Believe me, it is.

[SharonRB]

7. All of this is good advice

I always love the "they left to pursue other professional opportunities." You can bet they were asked to leave.

[Guaranteed]

8. self-delete nt

[Misunderestimator]

9. LOL... That is spot on!

And boy does it hurt to learn the hard way.

[Guaranteed]

10. Yeah, luckily for me I'm only a few days into the job.

I think I'll do fine if I just concentrate on the work.

[Mizmoon]

17. I guess my jagged scars gave me away

Oh, the woeful tales I could tell ...

[Left Is Write]

12. I agree with most of this.

Sometimes, though, "She left to spend more time with her family" really means just that.

But yeah - there is an awful lot of doublespeak that goes on in a corporate environment.

[Guaranteed]

13. Well, it's not exactly corporate.

It's a small office. But I get the feeling that there are the same kinds of expectations.

They're good people. The environment just feels weird.

[Left Is Write]

11. Yes, all told for about eleven years.

The rest of my adult working years were spent in radio.

[Lady Effingbroke]

14. No, I've always avoided office jobs.

I have to be on my feet and running.

[KG]

15. i'm in a cube farm w/ a bunch of children.

sitting quietly at a desk all day is just not my thing.

not sure if i'm going to stay in this profession. :(

[merh]

16. You'll do fine.

Read my signature and keep it in mind. JBH was one of the finest criminal lawyers that practiced in Missisippi. You can keep your sense of humor and be professional at the same time. Remember you are only human as are the people you work with. Just be yourself, be true to yourself and you'll be fine. :thumbsup: