So you are starting a new job, and you want to be liked. What can you do to make sure that you come across as the likeable new employee, and not the type of staffer that your co-workers take pains to avoid? Here are a few tips:
Pay attention to the workplace culture
As Yogi Berra once said, you can observe a lot by watching. Keep your head down, and your mouth shut, at first. See what type of culture is the dominant one at your new workplace. Is it friendly? Formal? Tense? Relaxed? Observing what type of workplace it is can help give you a clue of how you should act.
Observe what communication preference your boss has
Some supervisors are micromanagers, while others keep less strict track of what you are doing. Figure out what type of boss you have. Also, find out how your manager wants to communicate with you – is it in person, via email, or on the phone? See what it is, and act accordingly.
Leave the personal calls for your personal time
If you knew how much people can learn about your personal life just by hearing one end of your phone conversations, you would never make or take a personal call again at work. It’s unprofessional and it’s uncomfortable for others. The only exception is for a true emergency.
Make friends, but not right away
Be civil to everyone, but do not automatically become friends with somebody who may drag you into some sort of office drama. That is not good for your career. Give it some time before you become BFFs with anybody at work.
Follow the workplace pace
If your new place of employment is one where staff eats at their desk, don’t take two-hour lunches at the local soiree. If most staffers work 9 to 7, don’t roll in at 11 and leave at 5. In fact, when you first start out, you might to put in more hours, not less, than other people, to show that you are willing to work hard.
Offer to help others
When you first start out, you might not have enough to do at your job. So make a point of asking your boss for more work, or asking your co-workers if you can pitch in. Not only can it get you valuable workplace experience, it can help burnish your reputation.
In short, if you want people to like you, be a likeable person. You don’t want the reputation as an obnoxious, annoying employee. So treat others the way you want to be treated, be thoughtful and considerate, and be an asset, and not a detriment, at your workplace. Before you know it, you will be thought of an integral part of the staff.
About the Author: Lisa Swan writes for the Institute for Coaching, a premiere life and executive coaching company.
