Did somebody link to this site yesterday and I missed it? Traffic went through the roof …

As I mentioned before, I got me a new corporate job. It pays really well, especially in comparison to what I’m used to. It’s still an hourly gig, but it literally pays three times more than what I was making in Michigan while doing pretty much the same thing!

Another great feature of this job is that I get to do a little of everything I like: write code, collaborate with other geeks, find creative solutions to all kinds of problems, develop new and exciting spreadsheet business tools, and drink a lot of lattes. Hey, when you gotta fit in, you gotta fit in.

So what am I learning while working for The Man?

• Microsoft Excel proficiency is a must, no matter who you are or where you work. I’m seeing 40-year old project managers struggle through help topics about PivotCharts. I’m witnessing hours upon hours of expensive contract labor wasted on scrolling through menus trying to consolidate a couple of sheets or write a custom function. Knowing what your tools can do is a crucial part of the job.
• Know a few things well, but also know a little bit of everything. Chances are, you won’t be working only in Excel. One day someone will bring a bunch of delapitated Access database tables you’ll have to normalize and export as a decent-looking report. Hell, maybe you’ll have to edit an image or two in Photoshop.
• Dress for success (I know, cheesy). You’ll respect yourself more, and others will, too. If you decided to be a corporate sellout like me, might as well stand out … in a good way. No one wants to delegate anything important to an unshaven dude in jeans.

Most importantly, though, the most fabulous set of skills one can develop is a nice set of communication skills.

As cliche as that sounds, I’m finding out it’s true. Good communicators present their ideas in clear, concise ways so that everyone can understand and relate. Because such people are pleasant to listen to, they are more persuasive. They are thusly more respected and better compensated. I immediately singled out a couple of people I work with – I am going to learn from them.

As a little grasshopper caught in the corporate combine, I have yet much to learn. However, so far the experience has been great. Except for the creepy mail guy … Now I understand that Dane Cook comedy bit …