Workplace

Check out some of our advice for settling into your new workplace.

First Impressions

How you present yourself to others in the business world speaks volumes. People often form first impressions about others within seconds of meeting them. Making a positive first impression can go a long way in helping you get situated amongst your colleagues in your new place of work. 

Colleagues

How you treat people will say a lot about you.

• Learn your colleagues’ names. A tip for remembering names is to use a person’s name a few times within your first conversation with them.
• Set up virtual or in-person coffee chats with your coworkers to get to know them better.
• Don’t make value judgments on people’s importance in the workplace. Talk to the maintenance staff members and to the people who perform many of the administrative support functions. Everyone deserves your respect.
• Assess your work relationships. Think about how you treat your supervisors, peers, and subordinates.
• Be mindful of what you share about your personal life and what you ask others to share about theirs. What you share about life outside of work is your choice, but be aware that asking others personal questions can make them uncomfortable.
• Respect people’s personal space. This may be very different from your own.
• Don’t hesitate to be helpful. Offering assistance to a coworker or to your supervisor puts you in a position to learn more and reflects well on your ability to be a team player.

Supervisors

Establishing a good connection with your supervisor is a great way to set yourself up for success. 

• Listen to your supervisor in meetings. Observing and listening are opportunities to learn more about the organization and the work that is being done.
• Find a routine with your supervisor and set up regular check-ins. This will support your understanding of the goals and expectations that your supervisor has for you.
• If you need to ask for time off, be clear and open in your communication. If you’re sick or need to take some personal leave, clarify the process with your supervisor. Be proactive and ensure others can cover tasks.
• Keep your supervisor up to date on your projects and responsibilities. And don’t be afraid to ask for clarification about deadlines and priorities.

Meetings and Communications

Communicate frequently, clearly, and consistently.

• Return phone calls and emails within 24 hours — even if only to say that you will provide requested information at a later date.
• Ask before putting someone on speakerphone or recording a conversation.
• For written communication – email, Slack, or Teams – use caution when sharing sensitive information. A good rule of thumb, before sending a message, is to consider whether you’d feel comfortable allowing your supervisor (or company leadership) to read what you’ve written.
• If your role involves handling personally identifiable information (such as client contact information, financial accounts, or medical records), ensure you are following company guidelines regarding information sharing.
• Proofread your emails carefully. This includes double-checking your list of recipients and confirming you’ve included the correct file attachment.
• If you are writing on a group email thread, consider whether a direct reply or “reply all” is most appropriate.
• When emailing, use the subject box, and make sure it directly relates to what you are writing.
• Your employer may have a standard email signature format for you to use. If not, consider creating an automatic signature that includes your name, title, and contact information. If you use a mobile device to answer work emails, check that the device’s automatic signature is appropriate.
• Zoom and email etiquette will differ from company to company; spend some time figuring out the office communication culture.
• Be punctual. If you are going to be late, try to let someone know so that people are not waiting for you. 

Projects and Responsibilities

Approach your work with a growth mindset.

• Learn from your mistakes and use them to inform your next task or assignment.
• Take initiative. As an intern or a new hire, it’s important to intentionally create opportunities for yourself to work effectively with your team.
• When working on team projects:
  • Know your team’s goals and the overall vision.
  • Be able to identify your role so that you can better understand the scope of your work and contributions. If you’re not sure, connect with your supervisor for clarification.
  • Avoid the last-minute rush by planning ahead, allowing yourself sufficient time to learn new processes and ask questions of your teammates.
• Reflect on your work and your interactions as time passes in your position. Identify your strengths and make them visible to your team.

Work Environment

Be mindful of both your own workspace and of others’.

• Keep your office space professional and neat with appropriate personal touches. People will consider the space a reflection of you, whether or not you are at your desk.
• When using shared desks or tables, remember to clean up after yourself.
• Respect others’ space, whether it’s a cubicle or office. Don’t just walk in; knock or make your presence gently known. Don’t assume acknowledgement of your presence is an invitation to sit down; wait until you are invited to do so.
• Limit personal calls, especially if you work in a space that lacks a door.
• Be mindful of sound – particularly if yours is an “open plan” office. For example, if you listen to music while you work, you may need to bring in headphones to avoid disturbing neighbors.
• Acquaint yourself with the office culture. Do people commune in a break room or by the coffee machine? Does the office have an open-door policy? Do coworkers and colleagues eat lunch together?
• Consider privacy and confidentiality when setting up your workspace, and follow company policy for securing your computer. You may wish to keep papers containing client information inside a file drawer, rather than visible to passersby.

Understanding the relationships in your world of work is an important step towards being an effective worker. 

Take inventory of the people that are in your workplace. Who are the people that you interact with in those spaces? Co-workers, your supervisor, a work friend, your mentor, or a peer. After you’ve assessed your network, think about how you can leverage these relationships to further your goals. Start by asking yourself:

• What is my professional brand?
• How do I connect with other people?
• How do these relationships support my work?

Building meaningful relationships can help you develop partnerships and connections that can help you in your current position and potentially in the future. Use the following tips as a starting point in developing strong professional relationships:

• Be proactive in getting to know your colleagues. In a hybrid or remote setup, this may require reaching out to coworkers virtually in order to schedule a time to connect.
• Be an active listener and give your colleagues the opportunity to feel heard.
• Be reliable; earn a reputation as someone who can be trusted to produce high-quality work.
• Be honest; take responsibility for your mistakes and be open to feedback.
• Be respectful; everyone has something valuable to contribute, whether ideas, creativity, expertise, or support.
• Be open to different perspectives, and show that you are willing to learn.
• Be authentic.

Developing your network doesn’t have to be an extra chore, but it should be an intentional practice. By being mindful of your process when you build relationships, you can ensure that you are taking thoughtful steps to develop your professional network.