How To Make New Friends At Work (And How Not To)

When you start a new job, you start a new chapter in your life. You'll be surrounded by a new bunch of people, in new surroundings, working for a new company. And the best way to fit in as quickly as possible is to make a few friends, adopt the company culture and work hard. Here's some help with the first step - how to make friends at work the right way.

How to make friends:

1. Be the kind of person you would want to be friends with

I know it sounds simple, but isn't always. When you've just started a new job and you haven't really found your bearings yet, being friendly early in the morning and late in the evening might not come naturally. So take a deep breath, slap on a smile on your face and greet your colleagues, ask about their weekend plans... Basically, the pleasantries and small talk.

2. Food for thought

You can bond with just about anyone over food. And the easiest way to start a conversation with the people who sit around you is to whip out your phone before lunch and ask if anyone wants to order something. Even if they've all brought lunch, people can never resist asking where you're ordering from, what you're getting... Come on, you know it's true. If that doesn't work just bring muffins on a Monday morning. No one can say no to that.

3. Offer to help out

How can you not love the colleague who offers to help even when they don't have to? When you see someone struggling with a problem ask if there is anything you can do to help out. This is strictly about professional problems. If you happen to overhear them talking about a personal matter, stay out of it unless they approach you for help/ advice. Sure, you might not be able to do anything in case of a system breakdown or a technical glitch, but they'll still appreciate you asking. A little concern and empathy can make a lasting impact.

4. Get more involved

Every office has some or the other way to get more socially involved. Maybe your workplace has a programme for in-house initiatives for employee development. Or there could be cross-department committees and sporting competitions. It could also be something as simple as people getting together to informally organise potlucks. Take your pick, depending upon how much time you have and effort you're willing to put. These interactions will help you network beyond the few people you directly work with and help you get integrated into the company much more deeply.

How not to make friends:

1. Bond by gossip

Badmouthing the boss will not make the others suddenly relate to you. Keep gossip as far away from your cubicle as possible. It takes a long time for one to get to know the personal dynamics in the workspace. One misstep could get you into deep trouble and cement your reputation as the office gossip.

2. Go from happy hour to last call

Catching up with colleagues you have easy, friendly relationships with over a couple of drinks is not a problem. Inhibitions are lower and people talk more freely. But alcohol is a slippery slope to tread in a workplace setting. One drink too many, and you might end up saying things you didn't mean to and disclosing information you really should have known better than to tell. Besides there's no way to spin the 'she-can't-handle-her-alcohol' impression in such a way that you come out looking good. Getting carried away with alcohol might be okay among friends (sometimes), but it's never okay with colleagues -- and certainly not when you're still new to the job and just about figuring out the lay of the land.

3. Start competing as soon as you join

If you're competitive by nature, you might have some difficulty with this, but it's only for a while. If you come in and immediately start a competition of who wraps up a project first or betting on whose idea gets approved... Well, you might end up doing the opposite of making friends.

4. Use inappropriate language

Again, this is cool when you're with your friends, but work friends are a whole new ball game. You have to ease into casual behaviour and even then, avoid some things completely. Using abusive language, even if you don't mean anything by it, can really upset the people around you. Also, it can be considered highly disrespectful. Our advice? Just don't do it.

What was your strategy to make friends at a new workplace. Tell us in the comments below.