I’m just starting out in my career, and a bunch of my colleagues like to enjoy happy hour several nights per week. I’m not a big drinker, but they are, and the pressure to keep up and get along is great. How important is it to go along to get along in your career?
For the purposes of this conversation, let’s exclude those suffering from alcoholism — a real and serious disease that afflicts millions and which requires professional help.
As for the other hard-partying colleagues who drink to excess after work on a regular basis — they need professional help of a different kind.
You’re not in college anymore, and happy hour isn’t spring break.
If you are a part of a loud, obnoxious group of people that act like they’re playing quarters in a basement, you look and sound like idiots — you raise the decibels to ear-shattering levels and make everyone else trying to enjoy cocktails and conversation want to “accidently” spill their drinks on your head. And know what else?
Everyone in the office talks about you the next day, and not in a flattering way.
So don’t bow to the pressure, my friend — stop by if you feel you must and nurse a drink (or water), then say goodbye. Or, start your own little happy hour group of adults who don’t act like frat boys from “Animal House.”
On this Memorial Day, in honor of all of the men and women who died while serving in the military — and as a service to all of the vets returning to civilian status looking for employment — I’d like to offer a small service as a gesture of gratitude. My team and I will provide a résumé review and answer all job search questions from vets through the end of May. Just submit your resume and questions to gotogreg@nypost.com by May 31, along with your contact information, and you will receive a personal résumé review and response to all of your employment-related questions. Thank you again for your service, and wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday weekend.