Toughing out the jungle
New employees face two fates – to sink or to swim. Thankfully, there are plenty of guidelines to help them survive the office jungle. Here are more tips as a follow-up to last week’s column.
Observing the office culture Take note of when people arrive and leave, and when most people choose to take lunch or breaks. It is also wise to determine communication styles and how meetings are conducted. This can enable productive relationships.
Connect with your colleagues – socially and professionally Introduce yourself to your new colleagues. Arranging lunch or a coffee break with peers allows you to learn about the specifics of their jobs, and more about them. Don’t limit yourself to your immediate team, interact with other departments as well.
Participate While you may spend the first few days or weeks on the job just “taking it all in”, d