So you’ll soon be on your first day at a new workplace – congratulations! Day one is as much about learning to negotiate the workplace culture as it is about getting to know your responsibilities.

From one company to another, office culture – that collection of unwritten rules and standards guiding team interactions – differs greatly. Fitting in and developing bonds with your new team will be greatly dependent on your ability to adapt to workplace dynamics.

With this in mind, here are some dos and don’ts of navigating office culture to get you going.

Do:

1. Observe before jumping in

Your first day should be spent observing how your colleagues connect. Watch how staff members engage with their superiors, with one another, and within the general workplace atmosphere. This will clarify your expectations and provide you with insight into the office culture.

Takeaway: Spend your first day listening to others and observing team dynamics before starting discussions or expressing strong views.

2. Ask thoughtful questions

Asking questions is one of the best approaches to fit into a new corporate culture. Ask your colleagues for direction if you are unclear about an unwritten rule or a specific process. People like it when newcomers display a desire to learn.

Takeaway: If you’re not sure, ask about typical office procedures such as lunch schedules or meeting decorum.

3. Be friendly and open-minded

First impressions count, so be friendly and approachable. Smile, introduce yourself to as many colleagues as you can, and be receptive to their viewpoints.

Different personalities influence office cultures; so, demonstrating your flexibility and eagerness to learn will help you to fit in more naturally.

Takeaway: Whether over lunch, coffee, or just a brief conversation, interact politely and respectfully with your colleagues.

4. Follow the lead on communication styles

Every office has its own communication protocol. Some people enjoy formal emails, while others find great success in brief, casual conversations via instant messaging.

See how your colleagues interact and follow their lead on your first day. Asking a coworker for guidance will help you decide whether to write a formal email or a brief WhatsApp message.

Takeaway: Observe your team’s digital and in-person communication behaviour and adjust your own style accordingly.

5. Show respect for established processes

Although they’re not always clear at first, every company has specific procedures in place. These may be for the way projects are run, how meetings are conducted, or when breaks are taken.

Respecting these tried-and-tested practices on your first day will show that you are a team member who is ready to fit into the current environment.

Takeaway: While they might differ from what you are used to, respect established procedures, routines, and practices.

Don’t:

1. Assume culture is the same everywhere

Something that worked in your former workplace might not translate to your current scenario. Every office has a unique culture; therefore, presuming what was accepted in your ex-company will apply in your new one could lead to misunderstandings.

Takeaway: Don’t assume that the office culture from your past fits your current one. Approach everything from fresh angles.

2. Overstep boundaries

At any workplace, there are official and informal limits separating teams, departments, and even individuals. Overstepping those limits – by trying to assert too much power or by inserting yourself into private talks, for instance – can cause friction.

Give yourself time to learn the dynamics before getting more involved.

Takeaway: Until you are familiar with the terrain, stick to your lane, as it were, and do just what is expected of you.

3. Be overly casual too soon

Although the office culture may seem laid back and informal, it’s crucial not to adopt overly casual behaviour too quickly. Before indulging in casual banter or bending corporate policies, establish confidence and familiarity first with your colleagues. Always err on the side of professionalism.

Takeaway: Don’t make lighthearted jokes or act informally until you have connected with your colleagues and understand corporate policies.

4. Ignore unspoken rules

You will need to quickly adjust to social and professional norms in the office. Are there, for example, times when people tend to take breaks? Is there an unwritten obligation to show up for get-togethers after work?

Ignoring these little signals could make it more difficult for you to blend in.

Takeaway: Don’t discount office customs or unwritten norms. Follow in your colleagues’ stead and, if you are unsure of anything, just ask!

5. Be afraid to adjust

In a new workplace, your approach towards others may have to change. If, for example, the office environment is more formal than you are accustomed to, modify your behaviour accordingly. On the other hand, if the environment is relaxed, you, too, should unwind and fit the tone.

Takeaway: Don’t resist adapting to the office culture just because it differs from what you are used to. Be flexible!

This article was originally written by Anisa Aznan for jobstore.com, an online job site that specialises in providing jobseekers with the latest job opportunities by matching talented individuals with reputable companies in Malaysia. Find your dream job with over 40,000 job vacancies in Malaysia.

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