This is the One Thing You Shouldn’t Do on Your First Day at a New Job, According to a Career Expert

By Tehrene Firman

Well+Good, March 27, 2018 —

After starting a new job, you might feel like you need to impress your new colleagues and proceed to share (or rather, overshare) everything about yourself, like your accomplishments and latest epic adventure. But according to one career expert, unleashing your life story right off the bat is actually the last thing you should do at a new gig.

“To start gaining respect of colleagues and superiors on the first day, make it about them, not about you.” —Jason Sackett, executive coach and author

Instead of prattling on about your (ridiculously cute) dog and career achievements, ask your new coworkers about themselves first: “To start gaining respect of colleagues and superiors on the first day, make it about them, not about you,” Jason Sackett, an executive coach and contributing author to Compassion@Work: Creating Workplaces that Engage the Human Spirit, told Glassdoor.

Photo: Stocksy/Lumina

Because you’re a new face in their space, talking about yourself tends to result only in making people feel nervous or annoyed. That’s why Sackett said your best bet to start off strong in your new workspace is to become a good listener. “Get curious and inquire about the roles, talents, and achievements of your colleagues to establish a persona as a listener, learner, and collaborator,” he said.

By shifting your focus and making it clear you’re there to learn from others—not just to talk about yourself—you’re more likely to put everyone at ease and develop a trusting relationship with people in the office. And don’t worry: You’ll be showing your new work BFFs pictures of your cuddly pup soon enough.