16 Get To Know You Questions To Ask New Colleagues

At Hive, we like to talk about working with a new team. The anxiety around meeting new people, onboarding with fresh material and learning new processes can be absolutely daunting. We like to prepare our people for success. The simple act of learning about your new work environment and team can help prepare you for interaction, efficiency and innovation down the road. Here are some questions we recommend asking new colleagues as you are getting to know them or in a new work environment.

1. What are your pronouns?

Not every workplace has switched over to asking what their employees’ preferred pronouns are. In case that isn’t covered in a public workplace communication forum or in your onboarding process, you might consider asking your coworkers what their pronouns are. This will show everyone that you respect how they choose to identify in this world.

In less progressive workspaces, this could encourage a sense of community that doesn’t necessarily already exist. Keep a little notes section on your mobile device or computer so that you can correctly identify everyone moving forward.

2. What are your favorite methods of work communication?

Many businesses now operate with cross-department communication systems or customer management systems that happen to have built-in chat functions. This, coupled with email access, phone calls, video calls and in-person chat methods could really make communication a lot more stressful. Start your work right by asking any new colleagues what their preferred methods of communication are.

For some, they may ask that everyday tasks be directed to their chat dashboard. Some will want you to follow up with an email if at all possible before trying to text or call them. Keep in mind that communication preferences vary, and exist so that people can keep their own inboxes – and minds – organized. This type of question also lets your coworkers know that you value their boundaries and want to set up a system based on mutual respect.

3. What is your favorite way to start the work day?

Questions about preferences and rituals can help you get to know the specific rhythms of your colleagues. If one of your coworkers answers that they cannot start work without an abundance of caffeine, this may help guide you on when the best time to reach out to them or begin a project during any given day is.

Asking them what their favorite way to start their day is can also make them happy thinking about it. Their positive brain space at this moment could lead them to associate good feelings with you from the beginning, which could make them more willing to cooperate with you as you learn about your position and grow within the company. Their response can also help to inspire the way you approach your work!

4. What type of environment are you most productive in?

This question can get some specifics out of your colleagues. It leaves room for them to delve into all of their sense. Do they prefer co-working spaces, working completely alone or in a group? Do they need closed doors to be completely productive, or do they thrive in a hivemind capacity?

Do they want white noise surrounding them? Complete silence? Some people prefer to sit in an office chair all day, and some enjoy getting outside for a little bit to multi-task getting an adequate amount of vitamin D.

This question also helps to answer what types of distractions are a big hindrance to people. Kathy might enjoy brief chats in the break room to help rev her up for an afternoon at her desk, but Joe might find chitchatting incredibly time-consuming and counterproductive. Someone may know their productivity patterns well enough to let you know that they are most efficient in the morning or in the afternoon, which is helpful if you have new tasks to send over or a project you’d like to start.

Other responses can include the type of music they like to play if any, while they are completing taskwork. Some people prefer pop music when they are out with their friends, but the lyrics distract them while they work and they may turn to electronica or another genre. You may find you have similar taste in music and want to share playlists with them that will help them feel empowered at work.

5. How did you get into your current field or position?

Asking people about their journey to their current job can open up a floodgate of information and memories, so ensure you have some time to speak with each other and digest it all. Their career so far may have been a long and winding road, or it may have been an easy jump with the correct contacts.

Asking this question will give you insight into colleagues' work ethic, and how they value themselves in the context of their work and allow you to get a glimpse into how they view their current position. They may reveal information that inspires your career journey, and their interests may spark a connection or thought for you to offer them. This question, specifically, will allow colleagues to understand that you are genuinely interested in where they have been and what they have to offer the world.

6. Tell me about your family.

While this is more of a statement than a question, it is an inclusive way of introducing the topic of the family to a coworker. Some people have families, and some people have been disowned by or detached from their blood relatives. Some people have chosen families, blended families, or are true loners with no dependents in their sphere.

There are parents to children, parents to furbabies and plant parents. There are people who are caretakers for people in their lives, and others who are a little more nomadic. The statement encourages everyone to speak to whatever aspect of their home life they would like to, and lets them know you understand that family can mean any number of amazing things.

Each response to this question will give you some perspective on how involved their at-home calendar is, and what their capacity for new work or questions as you onboard and throughout your tenure in your position. This conversation lets them know you are invested in who they are as a whole being. It should also–hopefully–stir up good memories and associations, and give them a bit of reprieve in their workday.

Other Fun Questions

Not every question has to be catered to work or give you insight into a person’s productivity capabilities. Some questions should just be asked to get to know the people that surround you or are on your team. Below, find some other fun options to ask when getting to know a new colleague or work environment.

7. Do you have any fun traditions in your home?

8. What’s the best areer advice you ever received, career or otherwise?

9. What’s the most interesting work you’ve ever done or project you’ve contributed to?

10. Do you have a career trajectory plan or any fun life goals?

11. What are your hobbies?

12. Do you support any fun teams or organizations?

13. What are some hidden talents you have in your back pocket?

14. What is the best television show or movie you’ve seen lately?

15. Do you go to shows? If so, what has been your favorite concert/play and why?

16. What is your favorite thing to do when you have time off?