Quote: Original post by Journey
Thanks guys, your support has meant a lot to me. It's a hard lesson to learn, but hopefully I will prevail. It's going to be hard though, I've constantly had problems with people since I was little, saying the wrong things and such.

I do deserve the chance that is for sure. I've always wanted to work at a company like Bioware or Bethesda, and this job was going to be my ticket there. I'll probably have to work on Flash webpages now, since there are no more companies like this in the country, and the only local game company being fully staffed currently, which is hard to swallow (I hope I can get a job doing Flash games over the web, hopefully getting payed in dollars :) ).

If you guys have any more advice, you are more than welcome to give it. I know I will need everything I can get. I would like to be sure about the "document everything" thing, since a poster advised against it.

Sounds like you're on the right track.

When they hire someone, they definitely aren't just looking for a great programmer. They're looking for someone who's easy to get along with, adds a lot to the company atmosphere, and someone who has confidence in their abilities (note confidence... not cockiness).

It sounds like they did perceive you as being a bit stubborn, which generally isn't a good trait to have. Next time around, when you feel like you're right and everyone else is wrong -- try to take a deep breath, size up the situation a bit. Determine why the others are approaching things the way that they are approaching them .. try to see things through their eyes a bit. Odds are that they do have a reason for doing something. Even if they don't, understand that you can't always have things go your way. If your supervisor asks you to do something his way even though you recommended an alternative solution, you smile and say "Sure."

Once you get more seniority and when you get along a little better with the people in the office, they'll be more open to hearing (and seeking to understand) your ideas. You just gotta suck it up in the meantime.

More than anything, relax a bit. Try to be a bit more easy-going. People like that, and they'll want to be around you. They're more willing to listen to your ideas when you give off a comforting vibe and you're pleasant to be around. Don't be afraid to joke around a bit, it makes work a lot easier and can really break the tension when things get rough.

Look at this as an opportunity for you to grow. It sounds like this wasn't your ideal workplace, so keep searching.

Quote: Original post by blueEbola
Don't be afraid to joke around a bit, it makes work a lot easier and can really break the tension when things get rough.

Just avoid calling people's cars shitty (even if they say so, it's typically a defensive statement, not meant to be pointed out further) and their girlfriends scummy.

Quote: Original post by Journey
If you guys have any more advice, you are more than welcome to give it. I know I will need everything I can get. I would like to be sure about the "document everything" thing, since a poster advised against it.

I'd like to advice against this... Because it might be strange. Well, it's not strange to take notes during a meeting, that is perfectly normal and needed. But the original post said to take these notes and send it as PDF (or whatever else, doesn't matter what format) to everyone. That's something I wouldn't do! Avoid unneeded emails! Sending everyone a PDF all the time would certainly be annoying and weird.

Also, taking notes in meetings has many purposes. But I think that "to use it in arguments later" shouldn't be the purpose. The purpose could for example be documentation, remembering what tasks to do next, .... If you expect arguments where you'll need such written notes to prove this and that, something else is wrong.

What do others think of this?

"document everything" for me means "keep a paper trail when someone asks you to do something".

If you have a conversation which leads to a long task and, for some reason, the outcome doesn't mesh with what is expected at the end but you have done everything which was asked for having a list of emails to point at and say 'well, this is what we agreed' is useful.

This is why I prefer emails over a phone convo; paper trail.
This is also why I like to use 'its in the design doc.' alot when people question things I've done [grin]

In general when you've got more than one person to be held accountable to (and even in cases where you have one) it is good to keep notes on things you are doing. When someone asks you to do something it may not mesh well with the other managers, or they may just not know. "Did you read the TPS reports?" Being asked this like 5 times by 5 different people is one example.

So it is good to be able to say "Ok, at 3:00 on tuesday Joe asked me to implement a new lookup system for our assets. I have his e-mail here if you want to see exactly what he told me to do." or even "I took a detailed note if you want to see exactly what he asked me to do." instead of "Well, either joe or josh asked me to do this two weeks ago, I think. I don't remember exactly what they asked me to do, but I did it!" This way if there is a problem with what you are being told to do the buck doesn't stop on your desk. I mean, if you're being told to do something by a manager you shouldn't get in trouble for it. Obviously you want to be accountable for your own actions and be able to back them up with reasoning, but also be able to accept when you did something wrong. But this isn't about that, it's about not taking the fall for something that ultimately isn't your decision.

Quote: Original post by janta
On the other hand, you've got to realize that tech skills aren't the only thing that matters. In my experience, an employer will prefer an technically average employee with balanced skills (including social ones) than a technically stellar guy who behaves like an asshole (like: Dr Gregory House :P)

I rather have a doctor like Gregory House than a someone who is more balanced :)

Quote: Original post by 3dmodelerguy

Quote: Original post by janta
On the other hand, you've got to realize that tech skills aren't the only thing that matters. In my experience, an employer will prefer an technically average employee with balanced skills (including social ones) than a technically stellar guy who behaves like an asshole (like: Dr Gregory House :P)

I rather have a doctor like Gregory House than a someone who is more balanced :)

House character isn't only an outstainding doctor, he's also a great person and a good friend. He just don't care about political correctness.

Quote: Original post by owl

Quote: Original post by 3dmodelerguy

Quote: Original post by janta
On the other hand, you've got to realize that tech skills aren't the only thing that matters. In my experience, an employer will prefer an technically average employee with balanced skills (including social ones) than a technically stellar guy who behaves like an asshole (like: Dr Gregory House :P)

I rather have a doctor like Gregory House than a someone who is more balanced :)

House character isn't only an outstainding doctor, he's also a great person and a good friend. He just don't care about political correctness.

Have you seen the show? He doesn't care about other people, only forcing his own opinion on what's right on them. He steals from his friends and puts virtually nothing into a relationship.

I know a lot of people think he's cool (and he is as a TV character) but in real life you would hate him.