Getting to know new colleagues through a box on your screen while working from home can have its challenges.
Recent hires already have a lot on their plates when it comes to making a good impression, but forging relationships with your new co-workers should also be a high priority, even if you’ve never met them in person.
“It is very important to build personal connections with people at work,” said Jennifer Benz, a senior vice president at human resources consulting firm Segal. “If you have those strong personal relationships at work in the tough times and the good times, you are going to have a better support system, and that’s really important not just for your happiness, but also for your professional success.”
If you are joining a company remotely or only occasionally seeing your team in person, here are some ways to get to know them better:

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Getting to know new colleagues through a box on your screen while working from home can have its challenges.
Be intentional
When random hallway introductions and spontaneous walks for coffee aren’t an option, you need to be more intentional about setting up get-to-know-you chats.
“It will require effort … if you want to forge relationships when you are new,” said Tessa White, CEO of The Job Doctor. “They won’t come to you, you have to go to them, which means you have to expend extra effort in whatever feels most natural to you.”
Ask your manager for recommendations of people to reach out to and connect with.
And these casual meetings don’t have to take place in front of a screen.
“Take a meeting while walking your dog, anything that creates connection,” said White.
She added that asking questions like: “How can I help you in your job?” or “Tell me something you’d like me to know that I don’t know about you,” can help get conversations going.
But also asking new colleagues about their own personal career path can help them open up on a more personal level and provide advice.
“Ask people: ‘What were your first few weeks like and what helped you navigate that time?'” suggested career coach Octavia Goredema, author of Prep, Push, Pivot: Essential Career Strategies for Underrepresented Women.
Ask for a buddy
If your company’s onboarding process doesn’t include a person assigned to help you get to know the organization and make introductions, Benz suggested asking for someone. And that person shouldn’t be your manager.
Check the company’s handbook or internal website for other ways to connect with colleagues, including employee resource groups (ERGs), a mentorship program or volunteer activities.
“Those are going to be other opportunities to meet people and build connections beyond the immediate group of people you work with day-to-day,” said Benz.
You can also ask to be connected with other recent hires — even if they aren’t on your team.
“Someone who is just a few months ahead of you has a perspective that will be so helpful,” said Goredema.
Set goals: small and big
When starting a new job, it’s always a good idea to set short- and long-term goals for your role, and also map out the relationships you want to cultivate, suggested Goredema.
“Think about whose support is going to be pivotal to your success,” she said.
For instance, a short-term goal could be remembering the names of the people on your team and knowing something specific about them. “Also, think about what you would want them to know about you,” she added.
And because it takes a few months to get acclimated, Goredema, suggested taking notes.
“Keep a cheat sheet that can help you when you go back and reflect on with who’ve you met and what you’ve observed.”
A longer-term goal could be learning your manager’s and team’s expectations and aligning your own expectations with them, including knowing how they like to communicate, how they interact and what the deliverables are.
Ask to shadow
Ask your manager if you can listen in on meetings virtually if appropriate, that can help you meet new people as well as learn the company’s meeting culture.
“Asking to shadow someone and being able to sit in on meetings and ask questions and debrief after the meeting — that is a great way to learn,” said Benz.
She also recommended offering to take notes or track any follow-ups after the meeting or help with any prep. “That is going to be a benefit for your team as well as for your learning.”
Make the most of your in-office days
If you work in person part of the time, ask your teammates when they’ll be in the office and set up lunch, in-person meetings and coffee runs in advance.
“And if you’re the young professional on your team who has the most flexibility in your schedule, then [match] to what the other folks on your team are doing and where you can interact and have the most time with them in person,” said Benz.
Turn your camera on
As we head into year three of the pandemic, we’re all tired of being on camera for meetings.
But it can be hard to remember a person’s name if you can’t envision their face, so Goredema suggested turning your video on to help forge better connections.
“It’s not just what you share … it’s how you show up and how you are present,” she said. “Video meetings are a great opportunity to show clues to who you are — professionally of course.”
She said adding your favorite books on a shelf behind you, or a mug with your alma mater or favorite sports team can help get a conversation going. “All of these things help forge connections and associations.”
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COVID-19 continues to change the work landscape for the world, and for health and safety purposes, many people are choosing to work remotely instead of commuting to an office. As a result, thousands of workers now have the flexibility to work from wherever they want. To take advantage of that, many towns across the U.S. are offering financial incentives for people to move to the area. This deal can be mutually beneficial, as movers are provided lump sums of cash while the city is able to build its workforce and economy.
However, these opportunities are not without their downsides, as some programs have strict eligibility requirements, such as purchasing a house or having to live in the area for at least a year before receiving the money. Still, for many people, these types of programs are enticing, with the perks far outweighing the drawbacks.
Extra Space Storage compiled a list of 10 U.S. cities that offer some kind of incentive to reside and work there. The incentives vary, from grants covering moving expenses to money put toward building or buying a new home in the city to free coworking spaces. This story features information on how to apply for these incentives and what requirements each city has for people interested in utilizing the incentives.

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Located in North Central Minnesota, Bemidji is far away from, well, a lot. But that isn’t stopping Bemidji from becoming a “Zoom town” and doing its best to attract more residents. A town of nearly 15,000 residents, according to the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau, Bemidji offers the Greater Bemidji 218 Relocate Incentive Package to telecommuters who are looking for something new. Among the package includes up to $2,500 to cover moving expenses; a free one-year membership to a local coworking space; and free membership to community and networking programs. To be eligible, however, you’ll need to already be employed full-time as a telecommuter; live at least 60 miles from the town; become a full-time resident of Bemidji; and demonstrate experience as a telecommuter.
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With more than 10,000 open positions in Northwest Arkansas, which includes the cities of Bentonville, Fayetteville, Springdale, and Lowell, the area is ripe for professionals looking for new jobs. Bentonville, home of Walmart, is one of the fastest-growing areas in the state, and the Northwest Arkansas Council has invested $1 million into incentivizing people to move to the region. The council is also offering $10,000—which can be received via cash or cryptocurrency—to remote workers who choose to move to the area as part of the Finding NWA program. These professionals can also receive a free bike to enjoy the state’s beautiful outdoor recreation areas as well. However, to qualify, you must be 24 or older; be employed full time (even if self-employed); have worked for at least two years; be a resident outside of Arkansas; be willing to move to northwest Arkansas within six months of being accepted into a program; and be eligible to work in the U.S.
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Lincoln is one of the smallest towns on this list with a population of nearly 3,000 residents. The town’s low cost of living and low crime rate may sound like an appealing alternative to life in a big city for many. However, that’s not all Lincoln has in store: The town even offers free land to new residents, with lots ranging from 14,000 to 35,000 square feet. However, there are some limitations outlined by the county: No farm animals are allowed; no grants are available to help owners build on the lots; and no mobile homes are allowed, though you can have a modular or pre-manufactured house transported to the site.
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Would you move to West Virginia for $12,000? With a population of more than 30,000, Morgantown is one of the larger cities on this list, and the state is looking to incentivize people to move there. Known as Ascend West Virginia, the $12,000 reward for moving to Morgantown comes in two installments. You’ll receive $10,000 via monthly payments when you first move to the area, then another $2,000 once you reach your second year. In Morgantown, you’ll also have admittance to a free coworking space as well as access to free outdoor activities. To qualify, you’ll need to be a resident outside of West Virginia, be willing to move within six months of being accepted into the Ascend program, and prove you are a full-time remote employee.
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If you’re dreaming of owning your own home but don’t have the funds to do so, New Haven, Connecticut, may interest you. Boasting 134,000 residents, the city is willing to provide up to $10,000 to first-time homeowners to be used toward a down payment or closing costs. But the deal doesn't end there: The city is also willing to provide a 0% interest loan that will be forgiven at a 20% rate each year, to be completely absolved after five years. However, if you sell your home within that time frame, you’ll need to either repay the balance to the city or have the new buyer take on the remaining amount.
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Should you buy a home in Newton, Iowa, you may be eligible for $10,000, courtesy of the “Get to Know Newton” welcome package. You can qualify for this deal if you purchase a home at a value of $190,000 or more. However, if you purchase a home below that value, you may still receive tax abatements. This deal is only available for homes being constructed through 2023 and will be given during closing. To receive the $10,000, you must prove the home’s value via an appraisal or assessment, and the house cannot be a rental.
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The Midwest abounds with cities looking to inspire a new local workforce. In order to build a larger labor pool and local economy, the city of North Platte, Nebraska, is offering signing bonuses for up to $5,000 if you take a job there. Located in western Nebraska, North Platte is a city of more than 23,000 residents with a low cost of living. In fact, the median value of homes in North Platte is $118,900, according to the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau. The signing bonus program is available through the city’s WorkNP program.
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Topeka, Kansas, is offering one of the largest sums on this list to entice people to move there. As part of Choose Topeka, the state capital is attracting professionals to move there to work on-site for $15,000 if you purchase a home and $10,000 if you rent. If you work remotely, you could earn up to $5,000 if you rent and $10,000 if you buy a home. To be eligible, you’ll need to move and then rent or buy a home in Topeka within a year of the offer. To find out whether you can qualify for the incentive, you’ll need to check with your employer.
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If you choose to work remotely and purchase a home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, you may be given $10,000, thanks to Tulsa Remote. Tulsa is one of the few major cities on this list, with a population of nearly 670,000 residents. This program will offer you money to cover moving expenses, provide you with a monthly stipend, and give you the rest after you’ve lived in Tulsa for an entire year. If you purchase a home in Tulsa, you’ll be provided the $10,000 as a lump sum. To receive the money, you’ll need to move to Tulsa within 12 months of being accepted to the program; be a full-time remote employee or be self-employed outside of Oklahoma; be 18 or older; and be a U.S. permanent resident.
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West Lafayette, Indiana, is home to Purdue University, and the school wants you to make the city your new home, too. Through its Work From Purdue program, Purdue offers professionals the opportunity to work remotely and live in the Discovery Park District. By relocating here through the program, movers can earn stipends from $1,000 to $5,000. To qualify, you’ll need to move to West Lafayette within six months of being accepted into the program. However, applicants will also need to live in the city for at least one year and will be responsible for finding their own housing.
This story originally appeared on Extra Space Storage and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.