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DeLoreanDude
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20 Jan 2009, 12:43 pm

For a week I will be doing work experience with the IT department at school and I'm looking forward to it but I would like some tips to help me with the socialising side of it.

For example, one of the people there always said "alright" to greet me and I never know quite that I'm meant to say in response to this.



lawlesslady
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20 Jan 2009, 1:32 pm

when he says "alright", you don't need to respond to that exactly. You can just smile and say 'hello", or "goodmorning", or "how ya doing?"

"how ya doing" might be a nice ice breaker. Maybe start a conversation, if that's what you are looking for. There are some simple questions to ask if you want to make conversation. "How was your weekend", "What did you think of Obama's inauguration speech" are just a couple.

You are new, and everyone will likely know you are doing work experience, so I would tend to think that everyone is going to go out of their way to make you a little more comfortable to be there.

Also, because you are new, ask questions and let others talk about themselves so that you can get an idea of who everyone is and what they do. You will learn more if you listen, rather than talk.

Good luck and have fun!

LL



DeLoreanDude
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20 Jan 2009, 1:37 pm

lawlesslady wrote:
when he says "alright", you don't need to respond to that exactly. You can just smile and say 'hello", or "goodmorning", or "how ya doing?"

"how ya doing" might be a nice ice breaker. Maybe start a conversation, if that's what you are looking for. There are some simple questions to ask if you want to make conversation. "How was your weekend", "What did you think of Obama's inauguration speech" are just a couple.

You are new, and everyone will likely know you are doing work experience, so I would tend to think that everyone is going to go out of their way to make you a little more comfortable to be there.

Also, because you are new, ask questions and let others talk about themselves so that you can get an idea of who everyone is and what they do. You will learn more if you listen, rather than talk.

Good luck and have fun!

LL


Thanks for that! Very helpful! :)

I am not new, I am doing this at the school I always go to! :D



pakled
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20 Jan 2009, 2:53 pm

If you didn't know, we've practically taken over IT...;) Just treat them the same as anyone else. Sometimes 'no problem' is substituted for the phrase 'you're welcome'... which is one quirk I've seen.

Just listen at first, see how everyone treats everyone else. We're a pretty accepting bunch.



ronzo229
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28 Jan 2009, 6:54 pm

just listen and smile a bit and you shouldnt have a problem.



protest_the_hero
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29 Jan 2009, 9:37 pm

practice makes perfect. you'll never get good if u dont try:)