Very few things are quite so difficult as getting a little traction with the senior guys during the first months in your new office.

My career in New York began in predictable fashion. I was introduced around. Everyone nodded, forgot me instantly, and returned to what they were doing. Days passed. No joy. Like I said, Predictable…

I decided to start again, beginning a goodwill tour around the office. “Hi. I’m the new kid, Jennifer. From Seattle by the way. Background in advertising and communication… Anything I can do for you? Nope? Ok, let me know, I’m down the hall, living in a file box…” One slow response, from the Curmudgeon: “Yeah, new huh? Well, I don’t need anything… I guess my briefcase has seen better days…”

Sitting in my broom closet, I reconsidered that passing comment and decided, “This might be IT!”

So, after the close of business, I went down the hall, stepped into Curmudgeon land and carried the old Hartmann briefcase out the door and down the street to the all-night leather repair shop. (Only in New York…) The next morning, I checked in, paid the bill with my week’s lunch money, and checked the work as I rode up in the elevator. It was a good job — re-dyed and polished, new hinges, latch and handle… Top quality! I fastened on the complimentary luggage tag and inserted the Curmudgeon’s business card as the staff started drifting in. Then I went back to my alcove and started doing my newbie stuff.

A half hour later, the briefcase was thrust into my space with a deep voice demanding, “Is THIS your work?” “Yes,” I said, not sure whether to walk the plank. “Get your coat!” he growled. I did, and joined him in the elevator, (thinking to myself, that old Burberry could use an upgrade too…). So as we walked, he said, “Today we’re seeing Peter, a long-time client, about a project that requires two consultants. Can you carry your own weight, keep quiet and back me up, Newbie?”

That’s how it began. Nothing I had constituted any value to the old guard at the firm. But I could demonstrate how much I wanted an opportunity by exchanging in the only coin I did have — by showing it.

We’ve come a long way in 35 years. But all the young people in any firm still struggle for traction, notice and credibility — and without experience, those things are often hard to obtain. So get there early, stay late, fix the copier, decipher the software and generally make yourself useful until you become part of the landscape and one of the old guys says, “Get your coat!”

1. For You (Newbie)
Take an inventory of your resources:
Experience: Zero
Original Contribution: Zilch
Client Connections: Zip
Industry Credibility: Nada

Not promising, really. But you do have something the older people in the office don’t — Time. So the “Deal” of Newbydom is to make an exchange of what you have, for something you want. It may not be your proudest moment as an individual to be the New Kid carrying boxes, but it trades what you have in spades for something you desperately want — Experience.

2. For the Family
This is where the kids learn that it’s not enough to be smart and hungry, you have to do the difficult work to earn your shot. Want to ride horses? Get a shovel and head for the stable! Want to play tennis? Run for the balls! Want to swim? Gather towels first! Want to work at the restaurant? Know how to make change and wait tables! Want to work in the theater? Start by taking tickets or painting scenery! There’s always a starting point, and it almost always exchanges time and hard work for a shot at the next opportunity.

3. At Work
So you’re the Newbie. You can research a prospect or a deal. You can drive the team to an off-site presentation. You can be the Logistics Captain in taking materials to a pitch. (Make sure you have a pocket knife, a few paper clips and a plug adapter…). You can set up the conference room for a meeting and provide top drawer refreshments. Pick up the dry cleaning for the Boss. Yes, you’re a flunky! And so were we all.

Hey! How come Bonnie got the call for that Vancouver Pitch?
Eh? Oh, she’s been carrying the Emergency Kit and the Visuals for the team all year! Bonnie figured it out. If you have nothing but time, you can trade that for an opportunity. Hey Kid! Get your coat!