by Glenn Brittany

Created on: October 26, 2008   Last Updated: October 30, 2008

Here are a few rules to keep in mind while working that 5-to-9 (5 a.m. to 9 p.m.) job in corporate America:

1. Be friendly to everyone, especially the receptionist, mailroom attendant, AP clerk, administrative assistants, interns, etc. They can make or break your standing at the office. Never underestimate anyone. Treat everyone the way you want to be treated.

2. Don't use your workstation computer to visit Web sites with illicit or inappropriate content. Yes, big brother is watching. A little surfing is allowed, but keep it PG-13.

3. Be equally as nice to everyone. Don't gush at the CEO and then ignore the intern who just said hello to you. People will think you are a fake. And, well, you would be.

3. Never talk negatively about the boss to your co-workers, even if everyone knows she's incompetent, insane or doing something illegal. They're all waiting for you to be the one to say it, so they can say you said it. Don't say it.

4. Use alcohol in moderation and take prescription drugs according to your doctor's directions.

5. Do not outperform your boss. If you must, play dumbbut don't commit political suicide.

6. Don't talk too much about your personal life at work. Share just enough to be personablebut keep the content appropriate. (Don't talk about clubbing, drinking, going to bars, smoking, etc.)

7. If you smoke, don't announce you are going on a smoke break to all the non-smokers around you who will still be working when you are standing in the parking lot, blowing carbon dioxide into the air. Be subtle when you leave for smoke breaks; walk away from your desk as though you were going to the bathroom or copier. By law, you're allowed one 15-minute break every four hours; if you need more than that, chew nicotine gum or quit smoking.

8. If you have "a problem" with your boss, don't go to upper management or human resources expecting support. You won't get it. Human resources and upper management will support your manager, not youno matter what you say. Further, if you go over your boss' head, she will have a new raison d'etreto make your working life a living hell.

9. Do not send e-mails of poor taste using your company e-mail address.

10. Wear appropriate clothing; mirror the clothing styles of those who are considered successful at your office.

11. Don't come across as though you know it all. You don't. There will always be somebody better at your job than you are.

12. Be positive. Commend co-workers for jobs well done. Notice when people go the extra mile and thank them.

13. Don't gossip. Everyone has a skeleton, including you. If you talk about them, they will talk about you. Enemies have a knack for seeing your Achilles heel, sometimes even before you do.

14. Don't expect life to be fair. Life was fair when you were a kid, but it's not in corporate America. Be grateful for what you do have.

15. Work hard, hard, hard; and someday maybe not at this company or in this position, but someday the law of reciprocity will reward you in kind. You will be a success.

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