Prepare yourself to be employable.
If I hear the word 'perky' again, I'll puke.
You can't please everyone, and you can't make everyone like you.
You can't assume that kindness is an inherited trait. It is learned behavior.
And I've always - the competition is one aspect of the job, but I think if you're too busy worrying about the competition, you don't focus enough on what you're doing.
Dig deep and believe in yourself and have the self-confidence you need to forge ahead.