HI everyone, I need some advice, I recently have started a job (sales in a smaller ISP) and just to give you a little insight of the company... my boss, also the owner of the company, is my uncle (also my mom's brother, she passed away when I was 12) his wife (my aunt) is the accountant, and there are two I.T. guys and that's it, well and me of course:) I started about a month ago and I have some sales experience in the telecommunication business, but I think my aunt is bothered that my uncle hired me, she is kind of a snob and I am only in my mid 20's and I think she thinks I am too young and not experienced enough. I think it bothers her that I even work there (before I got hired they weren't exactly what you would call close family members) There is a lot of history here which would take a long time to explain, but the thing is I really want this job because once I'm fully trained I can work from home some of the time, and it will pay well. But, I am having some problems connecting with everyone with work. I feel like such an outsider, my aunt ignores me for the most part, and the 2 I.T. guys are too busy to say a word. What would be the best way to break the ice? I am normally an outgoing person but my aunt and uncle really intimidate me. Any advice would be appreciated(sorry this is so long!):o

Give them time. I know it's hard, but it's all you can do.

Do your best do not say or do anything that you would not say or do at any other employer. In other words, don't "try" to do anything about it.

Just my 1.25 cents worth :o

First in sales, most time it does not really matter how much you click with everyone in the office, some of the best sales guys I have known area almost hated in the main office but they do such a great job, everyone could care less.

In sales it is all about numbers, profit and productivity. You could be coming in early working 12 hour or even 15 hour days, wearing 500 dollar suits.

But as one great boss told me one day, he did not care if I wore a chicken suit and rode to work on a hay wagon, if I meet my sales goals and if I made the company a lot of money they would love me. If I was the nicest person in the world, someone they invited over to dinner every weekend, if I did not make them money I would be out of a job.

Does not really matter what size company, the other guys, if they are not family will worry that you will be taking over because you are family,
Small family business have their own personalities and often strange ways of doing things. You best thing, do your job, learn your job and make more sales than anyone else.

Hi,
I fully agree with "don't try to do anything about it". Since you are working with "family", I am sure there is much past history which you don't want to bring up.
Give it some time. Don't say anything, unless it's nice.
Listen to them, and don't talk about yourself. Eventually, maybe it will get to the point where they will start asking you some things about yourself, or want to talk with you.
It will be hard, but keep your career in mind, and where you want to go.
I do wish you the best of luck.

Once your Aunt and Uncle see you are capable and a performer, they will warm up to you. It can be crappy having to “prove yourself” to family, but it still a business and you are the new “pup” that has to show you got the job for your ability and not family patronage.

Thanks everyone, I will definitely prove them wrong and kick *** in sales! I appreciate everyone's input :)