Starting a new role - How to quickly build your network?

Your success in a new role depends on quickly building up a new network of reliable partners. How do you get started on this crucial step towards success?

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For an Audio Summary, click the Play button below:

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Building a network in your new role is crucial to success. But how do you build one quickly and what are some of the simple steps you can take. Let me share some of the stories about how I formed those crucial working relationships in my first role as an Software Development Engineer Intern at Microsoft.

My internship was supposed to be 12 weeks long, but due to some delays in getting my travel documents at the start, I ended up only with 11 weeks. I had a limited amount of time to quickly get to know the key people that would be crucial in my internship journey. I got a great start with an amazing mentor Matt, and a couple of amazing team mates Paul and Sam, who all provided me with great advice and guidance. Beyond this initial support, I had to create new connections and get to know more people.

One of the first things I noticed about my new team was how well connected they all were to each other. There was a warm atmosphere and an inclusive culture that encouraged bonding between the team. As I was busy wiring up my machines under the desk, I heard someone at the office door

“Lunch time, are you guys coming over for lunch“

Paul, with whom I shared my office, got up and asked me to come along for lunch. I started following him and as we were walking down the hall on the second floor of Building 16, more team mates were coming out of their offices and forming a small group. We walked through the building cafeteria, but for some reason kept walking outside and down the road to Building 25. Apparently the team liked the other cafeteria better. Along the way to the cafeteria, I struck conversations with other team mates and got to know them. During lunch, we talked about all sorts of stories and the table was always full of energy. Within a few days, I realized that the daily lunch was part of my team’s culture and it was a time everyone prioritized and showed up for. And as I kept having daily lunches with the team, I got to know a lot more people and also got to share a lot of my own stories.

Tip #1: Learn about your Team Culture, and become an active participant. Every team is unique - some may have lunch together, others may play ping pong as a team. Whatever unique way the team connects as a group, ensure you are consistently showing up and participating.

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