From interviews to networking, how you are welcomed tells you immediately about norms, culture, and customs… and what you can expect should you move forward with a new job, or relationship, or place to live.
When it comes to a new situation or encounter, how do you want to be welcomed?
Ingredients that work for me:
Being greeted. Hearing the word WELCOME! That sets the tone that I am indeed welcome to enter and step forward.
Knowing the landscape: bathroom, water, and a place to sit.
A warm-up. Yes, ice-breakers or simple activities to find out who’s in the room really help facilitate a feeling of welcome and stoke the fire for interaction. Yes, interviews go better for interviewer(s) and candidates, when there is a soft opening question rather than a hard ball pitch. Of course a soft ball may not be appropriate in some jobs, but consider this option.
The timeframe, perhaps an agenda or program. Clear expectations can lead to satisfied participants.
Something that sets the tone. From rules and structure to touchy-feely agreements, a welcome reflects customs, norms and priorities.
Below are notes about how I would like to be welcomed in specific situations. Review these, and add your own!
Let’s take an interview.
- Introductions.
- Start with a friendly, warm-up question.
- Tell me how long the interview is.
- Give me water to drink.
- Give me time to talk at the end.
- Tell me what to expect next, and when.
Let’s take a networking event.
- Be interested in me from the get go. Don’t leave me standing there alone with a nametag!
- Give me a few options- people to meet, location of food and drinks, stuff to read.
Let’s take the first day of work.
- Be prepared for me, meaning make sure I have a workspace and information about how to use phone and computer.
- Introduce me to key people. That includes bosses, team-mates, HR.
- Have a few things for me to do.
Let’s take a new class.
- Welcome and overview.
- Syllabus, please!
- Materials I need, please!
- Expectations, please!
- Contact information for teacher(s).
- Give us a chance to meet each other.
Let’s take a meeting.
- Welcome and overview.
- Introductions.
- Review agenda, give time parameters.
- Housekeeping.
- Notepaper.
- Guidelines for speaking.