Walking into a new office in Karachi or Lahore feels different from starting somewhere you already know. At Prime Ads Hub my first week was full of tiny surprises: the kettle was in a different place, people used different shortcut keys, and everyone seemed to already have inside jokes. I spent the first day staying quiet, watching, and trying not to interrupt. That awkwardness passed when a colleague called me over for chai. That short, messy conversation led to a lunch invite, which later turned into a partner on a small campaign. Those small human moments matter more than a polished introduction or a rehearsed speech.
Start before your first day
You do not need to wait for your ID card to arrive. When HR or your manager emails, reply quickly and keep it simple. A short line like “thank you, excited to join — would love any reading you recommend” is enough. If someone introduces you by email to the team, answer with a friendly note naming one thing you want to learn. That kind of small attention shows you are present and ready.
If the company has Slack, Teams, or an intranet and you get temporary access, scroll through team profiles for five minutes. Note one person who works on something you care about or one hobby that sounds familiar. Having one small fact to ask about on day one makes conversation less awkward. It is the difference between saying “hi” and saying “hi, I saw you code on the ad tracker — how do you handle X?” A specific question opens doors.
Show up human, not perfect
You will not make a perfect first impression and that is fine. When I first met my manager at Prime Ads Hub I said, “I am still learning your tools, but I am keen to help.” It sounded simple, and people responded better to that than to a long list of past jobs. Start with your name, your role, and one small line about what you enjoy doing on the job. Then ask about the other person. People warm up when you ask real questions and listen. Remember one detail, even a silly one, like someone’s favorite film or where they get their afternoon samosa. Bring it up later and people notice that you remembered.
Use small spaces to make big connections
The best conversations are often by the tea station rather than in the meeting room. Notice where people gather for small talk: the canteen in the morning, the stair landing, or the small table near reception. If someone mentions a regular lunch spot, say “can I join?” Once, after joining a random lunchtime table in Islamabad, I met a teammate from finance who later helped me navigate budget approvals. Shared meals and chai breaks are safe spaces to be human. They are where jokes start, where project ideas are born, and where invitations to collaborate happen.
Find and join groups
Companies in Pakistan often have employee groups — a cricket team, a volunteering group, a book circle, or an internal learning session. These groups are the easiest path to meet colleagues across departments. Volunteer for one small task in an event or offer to help with logistics. I once helped hang banners for a charity run and that small visible help turned into a weekly planning role and a steady set of new contacts. When you join groups, you get a shared story to talk about and that makes future conversations easier.
Talk up, talk down, and talk sideways
Do not limit your conversations to people at your level. Talk to senior colleagues with respectful curiosity. Ask short questions about their career and what they would do in your shoes. Many experienced people enjoy telling a short story about how they handled a tough early project. At the same time, build ties with juniors and people in other departments. Early career colleagues can become dependable collaborators and may have the freshest knowledge of day-to-day systems. A wide, mixed network helps you understand how work actually happens.
Use internal tools, but keep it casual
React to a colleague’s post with a quick comment or share a short, relevant article. Join two or three Slack channels that match your interests and post once in a while. After you meet someone in person, send a short message: “Good meeting you today — would love to grab chai sometime.” Wait a day or two before sending a LinkedIn request; a brief in-person chat makes the online connection feel natural. Use digital tools to follow up and to stay visible, not to replace face-to-face small talk.
Share small, honest things about yourself
You do not need to overshare. A little personal detail makes you relatable. Say you run on Sundays, that you love biryani at a certain shop, or that you are learning Excel macros. These small facts let people connect on human interests. I mentioned once that I tinker with video edits on weekends; soon after, a colleague asked for help on a clip and we ended up collaborating on a short promo. Being honest about what you are learning invites others to mentor or collaborate.
Be useful and become a connector
One of the fastest ways to earn goodwill is to make someone’s life easier. Share a template, suggest a contact, or offer a quick hand with a file. If you cannot solve it immediately, say I will find out and follow up. Making a helpful introduction between two colleagues is high value and remembered. Over time these small helpful acts create reciprocity. People will return favors and recommend you for projects.
Handle setbacks without drama
Not every person you meet will be warm. Some colleagues are private, some are overloaded with work. Do not take it personally. If someone is distant, give them space and focus on others. Your time is better spent on people who respond. A few strong relationships are worth far more than many shallow ones.
Remember the tiny details
Write down a few short notes after key conversations. A name, one project they mentioned, a personal hobby these are the things you can use later. A quick follow-up message after a meeting or a “good luck” note before a presentation shows you were listening. Small gestures like this build trust slowly and reliably.
Be consistent and patient
Relationships do not bloom in one week. Show up regularly, keep promises, and accept invites even when tired. Consistency builds reputation. Over months, small steady actions turn into people who will back your ideas, give feedback, and include you in opportunities.
Think long term
The people you meet now will be part of your career story. Mentors, those who recommend you, and teammates you trust often come from early workplace relationships. Invest in connections that match your values and your long-term goals rather than chasing quick wins.
Enjoy the awkward parts Meeting new people is tiring and sometimes uncomfortable. Try to enjoy it. Being curious and kind often leads to surprising outcomes. Keep a light attitude and treat relationship building as part of the job, not a separate task.
Quick checklist for day one:
These small, real steps helped me at Prime Ads Hub and will help you get comfortable and connected. If you want, I can turn this into a printable one page cheat sheet you can carry on day one.
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