You’re sitting at your desk. Business up top, pjs on the bottom.

The interview you’ve been gunning for kicks off and you’re thinking “I hope I nail every question and come off as the smartest person to grace the Earth.”

They’re thinking “Would I get a beer with this kid?”

THEORY

The Happy Hour Theory

In many entry-level roles, you’re not expected to drive revenue on day one.

Ryan Eagan, an investment banker at Lazard, said “a misconception is you think you’re going to come in as an analyst and have an immediate impact. It’s more gradual” (Ryan Eagan, Banking, Balance, and Being A Transfer Student).

So what do you do in the meantime?

That’s where the Happy Hour Theory comes in.

The Happy Hour Theory states in your first job, you're there to meet people and learn. And when meeting people, do it like you’ve had one beer. Not drunk, just a bit more relaxed, positive, open minded, and human.

You may be working 50+ hours, but you’re not a robot. You’re a person, so act like one.

Work is just a bunch of people getting shit done, and people like working with people they can grab a beer with.

So, try to be that person. In an interview, a meeting, a coffee chat. Relax a bit, it’s not that deep.