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"When you don\u2019t quite know your way around the office\u2014or heck, even if you do\u2014it\u2019s good to know people in high places.\nBut by \u201Chigh places,\u201D we don\u2019t necessarily mean the executive suite. While buddying up with the CEO probably wouldn\u2019t hurt, there are a few other well-known office archetypes who can really help you out.\nSo, when you\u2019re kicking off a new job, seek out these seven officemates\u2014stat.\n1. The Human Snack Machine\nYou know the feeling: It\u2019s 3 p.m., and you\u2019re starting to get the \u201Cmaybe that rice cake wasn\u2019t enough for lunch\u201D shakes (or the \u201Ca client just yelled at me for 20 minutes straight\u201D need for stress-relieving indulgence), and you\u2019re a quarter short for anything in the snack machine.\nThis is precisely when it pays to know that guy in the marketing department who keeps a drawer full of candy\u2014and is willing to share in exchange for a few minutes of office chit-chat. (Just make sure to occasionally offer treats in return or contribute to the snack fund!)\n2. The Socialite\nIf you\u2019re not actively filling the role of Happy Hour Coordinator Extraordinaire, you should befriend whoever is\u2014and quick. At least, you should if you want to be in the loop about co-worker get-togethers, informal company sports leagues, and summer BBQs.\nBesides the obvious fact that this will help you make new pals, you\u2019ll also get to know people in other departments\u2014so when you need help with marketing an upcoming event or hiring a new employee, you\u2019ll know exactly who to ask.\n3. Your Personal IT Guru\nWhen Monday morning brings a much-too-early alarm and an accidentally decaf pot of coffee, the last thing you want to face is the blue screen of death on your monitor. Sure, you could put in an IT ticket, but you\u2019ll be forced to wait for a response\u2014helpless\u2014while the minutes tick away and your work continues to pile up.\nOr, you could get to know someone a few cubes over who can help you out in a crunch\u2014like when you have a report due and your computer won\u2019t turn on or you can\u2019t figure out how to adjust your margins without destroying your formatting. With some quick handiwork from a techy colleague, you\u2019ll be good to go.\n4. The Older Sibling\nMentors are great when you need important advice about your professional development. But an older work sibling can really help you out when it comes to your less serious career quandaries. Think: \u201CI really want to get involved in the new product launch, but I\u2019m not sure how\u2014what should I do?\u201D Or even, \u201CYou\u2019ve been to the company holiday party a few times\u2014what in the world am I supposed to wear?\u201D\nTypically, this person is a little higher up, has been with the company a bit longer, and, well, just generally knows more than you. \n5. The Selfless Volunteer\nIt\u2019s Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m., and you\u2019re working on a project with a strict 5 p.m. deadline. And let\u2019s just say\u2014things are not looking good.\nEnter the dependable volunteer\u2014the person who seems to pop out of nowhere asking if you need help. Even when he was planning on heading out of the office at 4:45 p.m. (oh, summer Fridays!), he\u2019ll hunker down and help you meet that deadline. Best of all, he won\u2019t hold it over your head the next time he needs a favor. \n6. The Encourager\nMost offices have an ample supply of pessimists\u2014the co-workers who tell you why ideas won\u2019t work, swear that you\u2019ll never get a raise, and find a hole in any suggestion you make.\nThen\u2014every once in a while\u2014you\u2019ll come across someone who always manages to put a positive spin on things. Even if your idea for a Sriracha-and-gummy-bear-flavored cupcake for your office cook-off isn\u2019t the best idea you\u2019ve ever had, she\u2019ll be sure to let you\u2014and the team\u2014know that by experimenting with unique flavors, you\u2019re definitely headed in the right direction.\nAnd when you find that optimist\u2014hold onto her! There\u2019s nothing better than having a constant source of encouragement.\n7. The Helpless Newbie\nWhile it\u2019s nice to be on the receiving end of all these benefits, it\u2019s also good to step out of your way to help out someone less experienced. Spot a newbie who isn\u2019t sure which printer to use? See someone wandering the halls, aimlessly looking for office #702?\nBy adopting a less-experienced co-worker, you\u2019ll boost your leadership abilities and have the chance to become a kick-ass mentor. \nImage via iStockphoto, Dirtydog_Creative"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2013/06/04/people-befriend-at-work/>