Am I the only one struggling to survive a corporate job? It seems like they like to evaluate your performance each week. I currently work at an insurance company and am finding it extremely difficult to make friends. Besides meeting my boss and going back to the cubicle, everyone is busy doing their own little thing, and there's hardly any time to chat. What is the easiest way to make friends in corporate jobs? What are some things we can/should say or can't/shouldn't say to colleagues? Any tips?
Okay, this is coming from somebody who is SEVERELY antisocial. It's not hard to survive corporate jobs. In fact, I feel like there is a lot of anonymity, and you can easily become invisible if you do your job and mind your own business. It shouldn't be hard for you to make friends. There are always people who are willing to chat in an office environment. Do you really think that we all just sit in our cubes and work all day?? Anyway, if you haven't been introduced to members of your group, you can always walk around and introduce yourself to the people who are sitting near your cube. After that, you can always invite them to have lunch with you or go for an afternoon coffee break. What to say to your coworkers depends on the level of comfort you have with them. If you are just starting out talking to them, of course you shouldn't crack any of the perverted jokes or gossip about other coworkers right away. Later on, when you're more comfortable with them, then you can talk about whatever. For starters, you can talk about family, hobbies, where you're from, previous jobs, etc. just be yourself... if you have friends outside of work, I don't see why you'd have difficulty making friends inside work.
that somehow sounds kind of nice. the last job i've been on people were talking with each other too much, it was annoying. "go do your bloody jobs instead of gossiping for god's sake.", so i said to myself -whistle
Sometimes people are too uptight when they are in the office, they don't want to seem like they are slacking off. My coworkers usually go to happy hour after work on Thursdays and Fridays, it is a lot easier to talk with them in a relaxed environment. Also, going to corporate bonding/sponsored events, is a good way to get to know your co-workers. I guess I'm just lucky, I love my boss and my job.
It's good to have a small amount of talking to balance off the seriousness... But I woudn't recommend gossiping though... It can come back to bit you in the ass...
Well start off small and ask people how their days are, or how was their weekend, or plans for the weekend... if it is something that you are also interested in, you just start talking. that or buy a round of drinks after your first paycheque to those who work closest to you! that always helps break the ice, but if it is too much people, it also helps break the bank!
First get comfortable in your work environment, learn how to do your job properly too... Slowly get to know other people, and recognize their faces. Don't gossip or talk about bad things though, just keep it to weather, ask them about their family or about their weekend...
I think it also depends on your boss and other coworkers. If they are more open and enjoy chit chat it will be easier to talk to them. I would treat it as school, when your in school you complain about it, just complain to each other about work lol.
I work at a bank, i dont noe if it counts, ppl are alwayz fighting to get to the top of the ladder and sale board. ppl there are pretty kool on the outside.............
^ who doesn't want to get to the top...sometimes u gota do wat u gota do...whoa this thread is like in may!
The best way to get to know them is after hours. Everyone is busy during working ours so go out and grab a drink afterwards. Lunch is always a great way to get to know ppl. It was easy for me since all my coworkers took me out on the first day.
Get a feel of atmopshere. Is it friendly or stritctly work and party later. Than you can proceed from there.
Its pretty dangerous to make friends in the office. Probably more dangerous to make friends than enemies. Politics is a dirty game, and its in every office, so you have to learn you deal with it.
do not gossip, at least about the people within the office, that's the best way to make enemies BRING SNACKS totally, people love food and will flock to you and they will have to chat with you to be poliet but eventually will become friends invite people to go to lunch together
if lunch dont work try after work ask if they are doing anything after work if they dont open up then take your time start with small convos like hey how are you etc..
