Congratulations! You’ve found the legal support position you’ve been looking for. Now it’s time to prepare for the first day on the job – and for your first introduction to your new co-workers.
Your co-workers can become your strongest allies during your first few weeks and months on the job. They can answer your questions, help you out, and even cover for you if you make an early mistake – but only if you’ve given them a reason to be on “your team.” Here are five ways to connect with your new co-workers from day one:
- Be interested. Put “getting to know you” on your to-do list, and demonstrate genuine interest in each of your new co-workers. Practice active listening skills like nodding, affirming their comments, and asking polite follow-up questions. Offer the “three As” of Attention, Affirmation, and Appreciation to show that you really want to know your new team as people.
- Offer to help. Your new co-workers may be as nervous as you are at the prospect of a new team member. Make it clear from the start that you want to make everyone’s workload easier by doing your share – or more. Offering to stay late to help a co-worker finish a project or to take a particularly disliked task off someone else’s plate are “pay-it-forward” moments that won’t be forgotten.
- Be self-aware. Whenever you meet a new person, the chances of a misunderstanding or miscommunication are higher than when you deal with a “known entity.” If a mistake does happen, think honestly about your own role, and then approach your co-worker with an honest, open willingness to take responsibility and fix the problem.
- Stay organized. Even if you’re not organized by nature, work hard to keep yourself on track during the first few weeks on the job. There’s a lot to learn, and staying organized will help you do your job better and prevent you from dropping a co-worker’s tasks accidentally. You’ll also create a good first impression, and if your desk gets cluttered later, friendly co-workers will see this as a sign of creativity, not as a potential burden.
- Listen, but don’t gossip. Use your best active listening skills whenever you talk to your new co-workers, but don’t get involved in office gossip. Instead, reserve your judgment until you know all your new co-workers well enough to form your own opinions of them.
At Kent Legal, our experienced recruiters will help you find a legal support position with co-workers you’ll love. Contact us to learn more or browse our open legal support jobs in Ontario today!