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How to Become “One of the Crew” When Joining a New Team

Wednesday, 15 September
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Joining a new team is a nerve-wracking process for craftsmen. With teamwork and collaboration being a key elements in the construction industry, it’s common for teams to have a strong sense of camaraderie.

This tight-knit component is amazing when you’re on the inside but can be a bit daunting when you’re trying to prove yourself to an experienced group. Here, we’ll take a look at some steps you can take to become “one of the crew” when joining a new construction team.

Introduce yourself.

The project manager or team lead will most likely introduce you to everyone on your first day. But to really make a good impression, try to introduce yourself personally to each member of the team.

A friendly handshake and a short introduction can go a long way. It’s a great way to break the ice and overcome any initial awkwardness by getting to know a little bit about each colleague. You might even hit it off with one or two people from the get-go.

Ease into it.

When you join a new team, it’s tempting to jump right into it and do everything you can to become a part of the crew. But be careful! Doing too much can come across as unnatural. Take your time and don’t do anything that feels forced. Be friendly, do your job well, and before you know it, you’ll be just another member of the team with newcomers trying to prove themselves to you.

Work hard.

There’s no better way to earn the respect of your new team members than to put your nose to the grindstone and give it your all. Success in the construction industry is heavily reliant on team cooperation.

When seasoned craftsmen see you trying your hardest on the job site, they’ll know you’re someone they can trust to deliver. This commitment can lift any reservations they might have had about you as a newcomer.

Learn from your mistakes.

Don’t worry about making a few honest mistakes here and there. It’s part of the learning process and is expected by anyone familiar with the construction industry.

Showing a desire to learn and improve will show current team members that you’re committed to the job and are always looking to get better. Trying to hide your mistakes or being too stubborn to admit them will only alienate you from the team.

Ask the right questions.

You’ll go through an onboarding and training process when joining a new team. Make sure you’re asking the right questions during this time. It’ll show your coworkers that you’re serious about the job. You might also save yourself from making an embarrassing mistake or two later down the road.

Don’t worry about coming across as inexperienced or unknowledgeable. Learning is a key part of the onboarding process. Plus, you’ll earn more respect in the long run by doing the job correctly than by seeming like you know everything from the get-go.

Spend time outside of work. 

A great way to make your way into the crew is to invite everyone for some after-work food or drinks. The job site isn’t the best place to get to know your new coworkers for obvious reasons. Meeting up outside of work is more fun and relaxing which makes it much easier to learn more about the new team.

The gesture alone shows other craftsmen that you’re making an effort to become a part of the crew. As you get to know the crew a bit better, you could suggest a barbecue in your backyard, a fishing trip, or another fun group activity to further cement your place in the team.

Having trouble finding the right construction gig? Head over to IamMadden.com for a complete list of the latest job opportunities. At Madden Craftsmen, we specialize in helping skilled craftsmen like you find rewarding gigs with some of the area’s top employers. If you don’t have your qualifications yet, consider joining our comprehensive apprenticeship program to get the training you need. You might even have the chance to earn some money in the process.

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