How to Mingle at Work: Even If You’re the Newbie

When Sarah landed her first internship, she had a plan: work hard, deliver great results, and everything else would naturally fall into place. For the first week, she kept her head down, powered through her tasks, and thought she was doing just fine. 

But then she noticed something. At lunch, everyone seemed to have their “group.” In the afternoon, jokes floated across the room that she didn’t get. Team chats carried a rhythm that she wasn’t part of. 

That’s when Sarah realized a quiet truth about the workplace: being good at your tasks is only half the story. The other half? Building relationships. Work isn’t just work; it’s also about people. And the connections you make can open doors, ease stress, and turn colleagues into allies. 

So how do you actually start making those connections, especially when you’re the new one in the room?

Think C.A.R.D.—yourcalling card for building friendships at work. 

• Connect on common ground: Ask about weekends, hobbies, or even the project they’re working on. A simple “Hey, how’s that going?” can spark a conversation. 

• Ask first: Don’t wait to be invited. Suggest grabbing lunch or coffee. It may feel bold, but most people appreciate the initiative. 

• Respond with curiosity:Instead of stressing over the “perfect” thing to say, lean on questions. “How did you get started here?” Or even the funny one, like “Do you feel sleepy during lunch hour?” opens doors. 

• Do small favors: Offer help, share a resource, or just bring good energy. Likability grows when people know your personal stories beyond your job description. 

  
  

Sarah didn’t turn into the office extrovert overnight. She just made small moves, one at a time, a lunch invite here, a curious question there. Weeks later, she found herself in the group chat, laughing at the same inside jokes she once felt left out of. 

Here’s the takeaway: being known at work isn’t about being loud or forcing friendships. It’s about showing up consistently in small, human ways until people see the real you. 

So the next time you wonder how to “fit in,” just pull out your “CARD” and deal yourself into the conversation.