I'm panicking because I think I got hired in at a title that's too high for my day to day. I Am relatively new and I got hired to work on a speciality practice that required some unique skills.

I feel like this place occasionally has a habit of selling someone on a job that is actually completely different when they arrive. It's probably not your fault. I'd say fake it till you make it and show no fear. :)

NEWS FLASH - NO ONE knows WTF they're doing in Advertising. EVERYONE is/has/will fake it 'till they make at some point in this industry.
- Be open.
- Be honest.
- Work hard.
- Have fun.
- Don't be evil.

Take a breath. Do you have the skills to do your job or did you lie in your interview and say you had skills you don't have? I'm going to assume you have the skills, in which case, they hired you for a reason. I'm assuming from limited context that your role is one above junior, so mid-level, and those you feel being rubbed the wrong way are junior.

First, there's a reason you got hired and they weren't promoted. (Frankly, from my limited knowledge of Edelman, they tend to promote from within when possible, so again, there must be a reason they hired YOU.) Second, if your role requires specialty skills and has responsibilities other roles don't, then it's not abnormal that this would be a mid-level (non-junior) title. Third, fake it til you make it. Don't let what other people may or may not think affect you. This is not the business for thin skin. Hang in there.

Also, just be nice to those who may seem resentful to you. Listen to their input on projects and take it into consideration. Teach them things you know and show them that you're a valuable addition to the team. You're a team and all have value to add to your work. Their respect will come in time.

Btw, congrats on the new gig! You got this!

Good that you were honest! I would reiterate that for the first few months while you can -- meaning, be honest about what you do and what you DON'T know. Many times, people will assume you know things until you tell them otherwise (especially if they're used to doing it all the time). Be clear when you don't. Ask questions while you can play the new card.

Everyone is always still learning in their career. At my last job, I trained our new PM director on super simple things because he had not worked in CRM before. Just work to pick up on it quickly and also try to help teach your team (especially the resentful juniors) those special skills you know that you got hired for.

I'm in the same boat it helps to remember they hired you because of either (1) your attitude (2) experience or (3) decision making/people skills. Not necessarily the nitty gritty. honestly that stuff changes at EVERY agency, so doesn't really matter in the big picture.

Yep - I learned the hard way early in my career to be brutally honest in interviews. I was 100% clear that I was coming from a somewhat unique background and had said speciality skills. I get the desire to have the skill from my hire ups but now I'm feeling incredibly pressured to snap to the management abilities and skills that people have at this level in other areas of work. Skin is thick for sure but I am trying to hold myself accountable and do excellent work that deserves the title.

Lol good point, seriously good point. I guess some people are much more assertive and better at stunting like they know wtf is up than others.

Fake it 'til you make it. And if you make it, don't be a douche.

@edelman OP, speaking as a senior manager at the agency, I want to applaud your self-awareness and the fact you actually give a damn about how you're showing up to your teammates. As others have said, the Edelman learning curve is very steep--cut yourself some slack. But also, don't be afraid to talk candidly to your boss--ask for real-time feedback about how your transition is going and ask for coaching on how best to build some cohesion with your team. As an Edelman manager, I've hired plenty of "non-traditional" or specialist hires and am convinced that what has them succeed (assuming they're good at their craft to start with) is a willingness to get feedback and coaching as they find their sea legs. Thanks for caring enough to comment and good luck!

Do what you can to promote their work. It's hard to resent someone whose trying to help you move up the ladder.

You may actually be projecting sentiments that aren't. It can feel uncomfortable to move to a more senior advisory position. You may be feeling like you need to be in the day to day to justify your value. In truth, most people resent managers/superiors that get too into the nitty gritty. Show your value by being supportive, encouraging abstract thinking and providing insights and guidance when needed. Another thing to realize is that senior people are not expected to encapsulate all the great skills of everyone on their team, only better. People get recognized for specific value they bring. Everyone has gaps for one reason or another but that does not decrease their value in other ways.

Cont: I feel like I rub people on my team the wrong way because I have a higher title but am less involved and my day to day to a mish mash of weird Jr level work and nebulous work that no one else does.

@PM2, curious to hear about your experience. What were you doing vs. what are you doing now? Did you go Jr. to mid or mid to Sr.? You're definitely right about changing from agency to agency. I have so much experience, but still at mid even though I am beyond qualified for Sr (my agency does not have that title as a thing which is stupid and infuriating).

@havas1 false, but that mentality is pretty rampant at havas so makes sense. Go to an agency where people know things, you will learn a ton. Leaving havas was the best thing I ever did for my career. @pm1 you are the most supportive human on fishbowl

Coming from the "resentful junior". I actually agree with a lot of the tips here. If you don't know it, just be honest and try to learn it as fast as possible. The MOST MOST MOST important thing is to never play your title card and throw them under the bus for any of your mistakes. Do not be insecure. Do not steal their credit. Plus, offer something in return that you are good at and related to the job/team you are managing. You will be more respected at least as a manager/leader. I worked with someone that broke all these rules and no matter how hard she tries, "fk you, fk off, you're on the shit list till you're off the team/account/agency". Just because you're more senior that does not mean juniors that there work with you are disposable, basically don't power trip.

Skilled in certain areas**

I went from an in house operations group to agency which is why the learning curve is feeling steep.

Thanks :)