Last Thursday, we held our first Help A PR Pro Out (HAPPO) chat of 2012. The topic: Tips for the first 90 days on the job.

It was a great conversation punctuated by tips and advice from more than 15 HAPPO champs across the country. Smart PR counselors such as Anne Buchanan, Abbie Fink, Richie Escovedo and Shonali Burke weighed in. As did more HAPPO champs and supporters like Mike Schaffer and Kasey Skala.

Here are responses to six of the questions that I thought were particularly interesting and smart:

What is the hardest thing about being the newest employee in your company/department?

• “Trying to figure out the culture and how your co-workers like to work.” – John Muscarello

• “Also figuring out the different personality dynamics not just on your team but within the company.” – Britt James

• “A company/organization’s culture may take some time to learn. Your skills at adaptation and change will be crucial.” – Richie Escovedo

• “Finding your place in the office. Ask a lot of questions, find a mentor who can help guide you.” – Abbie Finke

Should you use social media to connect with new colleagues? Leadership?

• “Social [media] is a great way to get to know people, but not on the first day. Take time to get to know them first.” – Abbie Fink

• “[It] can be easy to look over-eager. LinkedIn is fair game after you’ve gotten to know people a bit. [When it comes to ] others, proceed with caution.” – Erica Moss

• “Be very careful with social media in the beginning. Learn the culture first. Then reach out if appropriate.” – Kirk Hazlett

What steps should you take to manage your image/brand internally?

• “Want to impress me? Stick your head in the door at 5 p.m. one day and ask, ‘Is there anything I can you with?’ I’d remember that.” – Anne Buchanan
 
• “Be proactive. Volunteer to take on new projects to build your skills. Don’t always sit back and wait for assignments.” – Rachel Chilson

• “Make an effort to meet people in the office, even if they aren’t on your time. Who you know is a big part of one’s success.” – Ray Lapena

• “Lose this phrase: ‘That’s not my job.’” – Richie Escovedo

• “Connect with co-workers and let them know you for who you are. Not who someone else or your resume says you are.” – Simone B

What do you do if the reality of the job you took doesn’t match the position you applied for?

• “My job now isn’t what I got hire for. We found my strengths and what was business critical and adapted. It’s part of live.” – Kasey Skala

• “Be honest with yourself. If its’ not the right fit, you owe it to the company and yourself to move on.” – @djordon

• “Have [an] honest conversation with your supervisor and see if it can be adapted. If not, try and find a new opportunity.” – Sue Anne Reed

What are some “red flags” that may signal the job is not working out?

• “You are constantly staring at the clock. If there’s no interest, you won’t do your best.” – Yasmine Gila

• “Every person at every company has ups and downs. Keep an even keel.” – Mike Schaffer

• “You got to try to stick it out for a while … one red flag isn’t reason to jump ship.” – Ray Lapena

What steps can you take to “help out” the new guy/gal on the team?

• “No. 1: Welcome them. No. 2: Don’t intimidate. No. 3: Be a helpful resource. No. 4: Remember, you were once new.” – Richie Escovedo

• “Allow [the] newbie to have individual successes and don’t take credit for it if you help. It will got a long way.” – Mike Schaffer

• “Remember what it was like to be in their shoes. Introduce yourself, find out about them. Ask them how they’re doing often.” – Shonali Burke

• “Help the newbie figure out the stuff that isn’t in the employee manual. Do people eat lunch in or out? What time do people split?” – Anne Buchanan

Look for more information soon about our next HAPPO chat this spring and our second-annual HAPPO Hour event in May.

Arik Hanson is principal of ACH Communications. A version of this post originally appeared on Communications Conversations.

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