New City, New Job: How to Build Connections and Thrive in Your New Career

Navigating a new job and city as an entry-level professional can be both exciting and daunting. However, making friends at work and within your industry is essential for personal and professional growth. Start by being approachable and participating in social activities at work.

Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and engage in online networking to expand your circle. Volunteering and taking courses can also introduce you to like-minded professionals. Remember, building meaningful relationships takes time and effort, don’t rush – time is not your enemy in this quest, rather your friend. So be patient and open-minded in your approach.

Here are some strategies to help you build connections:

At Work:

1. Be Approachable and Friendly

• Smile and greet colleagues when you see them near elevator, or hallway, or café, or even parking lots. Remember a smiley face can open hundreds of doors.

• Show genuine interest in others by asking about their weekends, interests, and experiences. You will always learn new things to do and new ideas from these discussions.

2. Shared Breaks and Lunches

• Have lunch or coffee breaks with coworkers instead of eating alone. Don’t try to eat at your desk to be more efficient rather please carve out you lunch time as an investment to know about your coworkers. This will also give you a break from work and clear your head.

• Invite colleagues to join you for a coffee run or lunch outing. This could be part of your social activities or even one-on-one lunch meeting. You can take turn to pay for each other’s lunch or even just pay for your own which is totally okay. But your coworkers will appreciate your time and company.

3. Join Social Activities

• Participate in office social events, happy hours, and team-building activities. Many offices have young professional groups or specific groups for professionals from certain origin or geographic areas such as Hispanic professionals.

• Participate or host a game night for your coworkers. Everyone can bring something to eat, and one person can host the event at his o her place. This could be in the weekend or even on a Friday night.

• Volunteer for committees or groups within your company, like the social committee or sports teams. Top golfs or bowling could be added in your list for social activities for your coworkers.

4. Collaborate and Offer Help

• Be proactive in offering assistance and collaborating on projects. Feel free to check with your coworkers whether they need any help who are also working on the same projects, but perhaps, on different tasks. Ask politely and offer help if you have the appropriate skill set and capacity.  

• Show willingness to learn from others, which can foster mentorship and friendship. Be positive in taking your coworkers’ honest feedback. However, be mindful in providing feedback to them and think twice how they would take it. It is a good idea to put yourself in their shoes and then provide feedback.

5. Create a Routine

• Establish regular activities like a morning coffee routine or an after-work gym session that colleagues can join. Feel free to share it with them. It has been found that colleagues join when they see a clear vision and regular routine. Remember they are also human beings, and at similar sage in their life and have similar goals.

In the Industry:

1. Attend Industry Events

• Go to conferences, seminars, workshops, and networking events relevant to your field. See if there are any reoccurring meetings that align with your employer’s business goal and if it adds value, ask your supervisor, and attend those.

• Engage with speakers and participants, exchanging contact information and LinkedIn connections. Try to follow their activities and react to their posts and comment to show your interest in their posts.

2. Join Professional Organizations

• Become a member of professional organizations and associations that are related to your industry. Seek suggestions to your supervisor and peers if you are not familiar with the organizations yet.

• Participate in their local chapters and events. Usually they have monthly meetings, or luncheon learns where you can attend and meet experts in your profession as well as make new friends with similar interests.

3. Online Networking

• Use LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your field. Personalize connection requests and engage with their posts. Using Facebook might seem little old, but is not a bad idea.

• Join industry-related forums and groups on platforms like LinkedIn, Reddit, or specialized websites. Follow industry organizations’ pages to get updates from them.

4. Find a Mentor

• Seek out a mentor within your company or industry who can provide guidance and introduce you to other professionals. Don’t rush to find a mentor, rather take your time, do your research, and find someone who has time and is willing to help you out. A mentor could be either in a formal or informal set up. Don’t forget to meet with your mentor in a regular basis.

5. Take Courses and Workshops

• Enroll in courses or workshops where you can meet like-minded professionals. Sometimes, you can get professional development hours (PDHs) or continuing education units (CEUs) from these courses.

• Engage actively in discussions and group activities. This is good to add team building skill in your career.

6. Volunteer

• Volunteer for industry events or causes, which can be a great way to meet people and showcase your dedication to the field. Adopt a path or volunteer with holiday gift wrapping or food preparation are great opportunities to meet similar minded people.

7. Host Your Own Events

• Organize meetups or small networking events in your area for professionals in your industry. Perhaps, a simple happy hour to start with. Just like a game night with your co-workers, you can host one for your friends from industry as well. A potluck during holiday season is also another way of connecting with professionals with kind heart.

• Use online platforms such as LinkedIn or Facebook to find and create groups of interest.

General Tips:

• Follow Up: After meeting someone, send a follow-up message to show appreciation and express interest in staying in touch.

• Be Patient: Building meaningful relationships takes time. Be consistent and persistent in your efforts.

• Stay Open-Minded: Be open to meeting people from different backgrounds and with different interests.

By taking these proactive steps, you will gradually build a network of friends and professional contacts that will support you in your career as well as personal life. Remember everyone needs a friend and when professional and person friends overlap, it boosters your both personal and professional growth.

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this document is generated by PhoenixPhantom and RadiantRaiser who are two veteran business leaders and renowned mentors to young professionals. This information is for general informational purposes only. The suggestions and strategies offered are based on common practices and experiences but are not guaranteed to result in making friends or building professional networks. Individual results may vary. We do not assume any liability for any losses or damages, whether direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential, that may result from the use or misuse of the information provided. Always exercise discretion and personal judgment when applying these strategies, and consider your unique circumstances and environment.