What To Say To Your Coworkers (And How To Say It) When You’re New To Your Job

THESE FOUR COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES CAN START YOU OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT.
BY ANETT GRANT

If you’ve ever brought a new cat home and introduced it to your old cat, you were probably met with wrath and feline fury. Chances are, your old cat was defensive and eager to protect its turf. Maybe it stopped hissing and hiding eventually, but the first few weeks were probably pretty tense.

When you join a new company, this same sort of standoffishness can unfold just beneath the surface-level pleasantries. At first, the people you work with might not be sure what to think about you and may see you as a threat–even if they don’t consciously recognize it. But there is a way you can assert yourself when you’re new to your job, and do it in a positive way, without causing the claws to come out. It all comes down to how you speak to your brand-new coworkers. Here’s are four speaking strategies you can’t afford to forget.

1. Only Bring Up Your Past Experience To Help Solve Current Problems

One common pitfall is talking too much about past experiences. Yes, what you’ve done before is relevant–it’s partly what got you hired– but you don’t want to start too many sentences with, “At my last company…” If you do, people might start to feel like there’s part of you that wishes you were still working there–not an impression you’d want to make in a new role.

To be more strategic about leveraging the insights and experience you picked up in your old job, you first need to build connections with your coworkers based on the challenges you’re all working together on right now. Show that you have a clear understanding of the current situation, and then weave in your experience. For example, let’s say your new company is discussing the lack of flexibility in the software it’s currently using. Don’t come right out and say, “At my last company, we used software X, and it was much more flexible.” Instead, say something like this: “Flexibility is certainly important when it comes to software like this. I know from my experience that there are other options out there that could give us more flexibility.”

2. Ask Lots Of “Dumb” Questions

What’s worse than asking a dumb question? Not asking and missing out on important information. Yes, you want your new colleagues to think highly of you. But asking questions–even those you think might have obvious answers–shows that you’re engaged and ready to learn. New hires are usually told to ask away whenever they’re not sure of something unfamiliar, but few actually take that invitation wholeheartedly. Don’t miss your chance–not just to figure out how things work around the office but to break the ice with your new coworkers. “Dumb” questions can also be jumping-off points for establishing relationships.

3. Don’t Hesitate To Probe (Politely) For Information

When you start at a new company, you’re always going to encounter a degree of skepticism about your abilities, even if it’s never directly expressed. People may be unwilling to open up about their projects or other details that you might want to know, but building trust with your team and getting them to open up to you is critical.

The key is to show genuine interest in what your colleagues do without coming across as nosy or intrusive. Ask thoughtful questions about their work, their processes, and their challenges. Listen carefully to their answers and follow up with relevant questions. This demonstrates that you respect their expertise and want to understand how you can contribute to the team’s success.

4. Communicate Your Value Without Bragging

There’s a fine line between confidently communicating your abilities and coming across as arrogant. When you’re new, it’s important to let your coworkers know what you bring to the table without making it seem like you’re showing off or think you’re better than everyone else.

Instead of making declarative statements about how great you are, frame your contributions in terms of how they can help the team. Rather than saying, “I’m really good at data analysis,” try “I’ve worked extensively with data analysis tools–I’d be happy to help out if the team needs support in that area.” This approach positions you as a resource rather than a know-it-all.

Starting a new job can be nerve-wracking, but by being thoughtful about how you communicate with your new coworkers, you can establish yourself as a valuable team member from day one. Remember, it’s not just about what you say–it’s about how you say it. Approach each interaction with humility, curiosity, and a genuine desire to contribute, and you’ll find that the initial standoffishness quickly gives way to acceptance and collaboration.