A great CV cannot do everything
A CV can describe your experience, but it cannot show a new colleague what it feels like to work alongside you. Professional relationships form through everyday moments: a useful update, a respectful question or a promise you follow through on.
This is not a call to become the most outgoing person in the room. Quiet people can build excellent working relationships through listening, consistency and sincere interest in others.
Begin with ordinary respect
Learn the names and responsibilities of the people around you. Understand how your work affects theirs. If another team depends on your handover, make it clear and timely. Thank people for useful support without turning every conversation into an opportunity to ask for something.
You will not connect equally with every personality. Professional respect does not require close friendship. It requires fairness, clear communication and appropriate boundaries.
Find people you can learn from
Think of one colleague who handles a task well. Instead of asking them to “mentor” you immediately, try a focused question: “How do you organise that process?” or “What should I pay attention to when learning this?” Respect their workload and time.
A useful mentor can offer perspective, but they cannot make your decisions or guarantee a promotion. Bring specific questions, apply appropriate feedback and show what you have done since the last conversation.
Repair small misunderstandings early
Work gets busy. Messages are missed, instructions are misunderstood and people have different expectations. When there is confusion, start with the facts rather than assumptions about someone’s intentions.
Try: “I understood the deadline to be Thursday, but I may have missed an update. Can we confirm the priority?” A calm clarification is often more useful than a long argument. Serious bullying, discrimination or harassment requires appropriate reporting and support, not simply better small talk.
Build a reputation by being generous with credit
Recognise when others help you succeed. Share information that colleagues need and avoid passing off team achievements as yours alone. A good reputation grows when people see that you are competent and fair, not just ambitious.
Relationships must not replace merit or fair recruitment. Avoid gossip, favouritism and pressure to socialise outside work. Be approachable while keeping clear professional boundaries.
Try one connection each week
Choose one practical action: introduce yourself to a colleague you rarely work with, ask an informed question about another role, offer a helpful update or thank someone for a piece of guidance. Note what you learned.
Over several weeks, you will understand the organisation better and may discover training or career routes you had not previously considered. The goal is understanding and mutual respect, not collecting contacts.
An IM MORE reminder
Build your skills and prepare your applications, but do not overlook the people around you. The way you listen, contribute and treat others becomes part of your professional story.
Discover. Believe. Become.
