4 tips to instantly connect with your new colleagues

Joining a team as a newcomer can be exciting. While your new colleagues already know each other inside out, you’ll still need to discover how the team dynamics work. Swiss recruitment specialist Robert Walters shares four practical tips to build a good professional relationship with your new colleagues in no time.  

1. Take the first step  

A simple ‘hello’ works wonders. By taking the initiative, you show that you are open and approachable. This helps you make immediate contacts and build a network within the organisation. It also breaks down the barrier for others to talk to you. Particularly in an environment where people are busy or stuck in their own routine, your friendly approach can be a welcome change. This can range from a conversation at the coffee machine to spontaneously joining a group of colleagues for lunch.

You only make a first impression once, so be sincere and curious about others.  

2. Ask for help  

The first weeks are undoubtedly full of new impressions and questions. Do not hesitate to use these moments to ask your colleagues for help. It is a natural way to start a conversation and shows that you are open to collaborating. People like helping others, especially when they see that you are eager to learn and value their knowledge. Moreover, you create an opening for future conversations.   

By asking for help, you don't make yourself vulnerable, but you just show commitment to your work. Just make sure you are not seen as dependent by offering help yourself later, for example with a project, or by showing new team members around when you have gained more experience yourself.  

3. Seek dialogue  

Take the initiative to engage with your colleagues. Asking questions about their roles and interests can break the ice, and you often get genuine interest in return. Perhaps you share the same hobbies or interests, which provides conversation and a basis for a good working relationship.   

Also pay attention to informal moments, such as during meeting breaks, where you can subtly start a conversation. Ask open-ended questions that require more than a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. For example, ‘How did you actually get into this profession?’ or ‘What do you like most about working here?’ This allows for a broader dialogue and deepens the interaction. Remember to also actively listen and ask through on what they share.  

4. Participate in informal activities  

Outside the office, a deeper connection often arises. Whether it is an afterwork drink, a sports activity or a teambuilding event, informal moments give you the chance to get to know colleagues in a different way. These activities break the hierarchical structure sometimes present in the workplace, and you get to know each other without the pressure of work responsibilities.   

In addition, through your participation, you show interest in the team and the culture within the organisation. If you subtly inquire about these activities and show that you are open to such moments, this can have a big impact on how quickly you are included in the team. Even something as simple as having lunch together can do a lot to strengthen the bond.   

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