Starting at a new job is always an exciting and scary event, since it’s a new chapter of your life and can’t wait to experience new things. However, meeting new people can make it a little daunting. You will work with these people for years to come, so you have to make friends or at least form peaceful relationships with them.
If you’re having difficulties connecting with your workmates, here are some ways to start forming bonds with them:
- Introduce Yourself
First of all, how would you meet someone if you don’t talk? Get up from your office chair and introduce yourself. You can start with a few people and work your way from there. Maybe after exchanging few conversations with a couple of workmates, they’ll begin to introduce you to their work buddies as well.
Don’t be afraid of small talk since that’s how strangers usually start their conversations. As time goes by, you’ll feel more comfortable with each other and start having more serious discussions or maybe even tell a few jokes here and there.
- Don’t Eat at Your Desk
Bonding over food is always a good time to form relationships. You can eat out or have lunch in your company’s break room. Maybe you’ll find snacks from Snack Nation and share a few laughs while relieving yourselves from the day’s stress.
Having some company while you’re eating is always fun. You can share your food and talk about your favorites or maybe even share few recipes of your specialties. What’s a better way to make friends than enjoying a meal and a great conversation?
- Offer a Helping Hand
Some people are blessed to have great people skills in the office that allow them to make friends quickly. However, if you are not one of those people, being social is such a struggle. If you don’t have any idea how to start conversations, offer to help them instead.
When you see a coworker in need of assistance, don’t hesitate to help them. They’ll be grateful for your simple act, and it’ll be easy enough to exchange smiles and thank yous. Maybe they’ll even return the favor and treat you to lunch.
- Attend Work Events
Companies always hold events such as get-togethers and team buildings. It’s a way for the employees to form strong bonds that will help positively on the impact of their attitude towards work. It could be as simple as treating you for a movie, or it could be an out of town trip.
Make sure to attend these events, so you don’t miss out on opportunities to build friendships. It’s a perfect way to have fun with your workmates while not immersing yourselves in tons of work.
- Organize Your Work Space
People always stay away from messy areas, so you have to take the time to organize your workspace. A clutter-free desk looks pleasant and inviting. It makes your work area well-ordered and feels more open to some people.
Clear the clutter from your desk. You could even add in some personal items such as pictures or souvenirs from your vacations. These are good conversations starters when your workmates see it while passing by your desk.
- Don’t Try to Be Someone Else
Always be genuine. Don’t try to become someone you’re not just to make people like you. You must have already heard this advice during your school days, and it’s a good time to remember this when you’re starting at a new job.
Your real personality will always show no matter how hard you try to hide them. And once people know you’re presenting a fake version of yourself, they might stop liking you for tricking them. It’s hard to keep up appearances because you’re always on edge. So be yourself and let people like (or not like) you for who you are.
- Don’t Force It
Let things happen naturally. Don’t force friendships on others as you may come across as pushy and aggressive since those are the qualities that people generally don’t like. Each person is different, and there’s a good chance that you won’t click with everyone in your office.
Start with small conversations and then share some of your likes and dislikes. Getting to know a little bit about the person will help whether you are compatible with each other. If you think you don’t have a lot in common, respect their interests, and maybe you’d even end up bonding by introducing each other to new things.
Forming friendships in an office is essential for a peaceful work community. You are with your workmates for most of the day, and you’ll be seeing each other for years to come if either of you doesn’t get fired or quit. But remember, that you can’t please everyone. You’ll find friends, but you’ll also see that there are few that won’t be friends with you.