One of the important aspects of a new job is getting to know your colleagues and/or future teammates. Along with “It is nice to meet you,” another greeting is tagged along, which conveys the excitement of joining a new workplace while also conveying that this new meeting would continue to prove exciting and fruitful as the work begins. The phrase “Looking forward to working with you” is a promise summed up in six words. In this article, we will present alternatives to looking forward to working with you over here.
Even though this phrase has found its way in the colloquial language of business, it is also widely used in business-related emails and letters as a closing remark before the name and signature of the sender. Primarily used by employees who are going to or have just joined a new organization, this phrase is also used in work emails with potential clients, colleagues across different departments, and cases where you are coming in contact with a new partner on a certain project. However, there are other dimensions to this seemingly commonplace greeting that need to be taken into account.
More Than Just a Closing Remark
When you say that you look forward to working with someone when you have just finished a conversation with them, the phrase is tacked on at the very end, often just before goodbye. This greeting is not a complete sentence also firmly places this phrase in the oral domain, making it a necessary part of business communication when done face to face.
However, the phrase can be used without making any significant changes in written business communication instead of “Warm Regards.” Since “Looking Forward To Working With You” is more specific than sending warm regards to a colleague or a partner, it is used a lot of times, overused in the business context. Nevertheless, it remains popular because it shows the sender’s intent, placing them in a position of anticipation. In contrast, the receiver is placed in a position of high regard, building interpersonal relationships.
The Full Sentence
Given its impact on workplace relationships, this phrase continues to be in use simply because there are very few alternatives to it. But this does not negate the fact that “Looking Forward To Working With You” has become mainstream in business and the general workplace setting. As a result, there has been an inherent need to find another way of saying these same words that would mean just as sincere but not overused.
A great way of saying these words differently has been to speak the full sentence instead of the colloquial version. In written communication, it works excellently as written communication is more formal than oral communication. In addition, using the full sentence would put the sender’s intent into the mainframe of the email instead of at the end, which is often overlooked if the recipient is in a hurry.
“I am looking forward to working with you” instead of “looking forward to working with you” changes the way the message is received only because it is being put forward differently. With the additional “I am” to the generic phrase, the sender clarifies that they are expressing excitement at the prospect of working with the sender.
It can also be used in conversations, but the message needs to be conveyed with sincerity. Otherwise, the conversation stands at risk of falling into the realm of a formal discussion which might be great in a formal setting but would not bode well for one of the discussions was an informal one.
Why? Simply because the full sentence “I am looking forward to working with you” would take the niceties exchanged and the foundation of an interpersonal relationship built into a professional realm, translating to the speaker looking forward only to working with the recipient and not towards building said interpersonal relationship.
Other Ways – Looking Forward To Working With You
If you are genuinely excited to work with your new colleagues, your words need to match your actions. Your actions here include both your body language and the efforts you consciously put into expressing your seriousness about your new job. Given that the work environment would be new and make your place in an environment with already set personal and power dynamics, you need to be careful of your body language and make sure you leave a good first impression.
The First Impression Is The Last.
If you consider this saying to be true, you are already halfway prepared to make a good impression on your new colleagues. Even before you speak, your body language is enough for people to make assumptions about you which you would eventually prove true or false depending on your words and actions. Once someone begins to perceive you in a certain way, let’s say that it becomes somewhat difficult to change that perception in an unfavorable light. Given that the office grapevine is strong, you should always be conscious of whether your actions and words match.
After your initial days at your new job, the novelty would begin to wear off, exposing you to the inner workings of the workplace, allowing you to see for yourself how your colleagues carry themselves personally and professionally. Since this assessment would happen both ways, you have to make sure that a professional and personal attitude is putting you in a favorable light and would aid you in the long run.
How to ensure that you are staying true to your statement when you said that you were looking forward to working with your colleagues? You can begin by being friendly with everyone, refraining from making rash judgments based on first impressions, and being forthcoming with your inputs and offers to help. Since you would be initially judged based on your words, make sure you stay true to them.
Stay True To Your Words
When you claimed that you were anticipating working with someone, certain expectations were attached to your claim. These expectations might vary based on the subjective interpretation of your claim, but even then, a certain follow-through is expected from you. You might already be excited to work in a new environment which would naturally propel you to work hard but how you cooperate with your colleagues as you work for the first few days is also important.
These initial days would set a precedent for you, allowing colleagues and superiors to see your work ethic and personality. While work should be a priority, make sure you are not taking your colleagues’ help for granted. Furthermore, you can also ensure that it is you who is offering help and or asking for assistance, letting your colleagues know that they can count on you or that you value their opinion and advice. Here are a few ways to show that you were actually looking forward to working with your colleagues when you said it:
- Would you like a hand with that?
If you are working in a team, offering help can build relationships. For example, you can offer your help to a colleague or a teammate struggling with work, allowing you to get a grasp of the work and create a good first impression. It is also a good way to impress your colleagues but make sure you don’t overdo it as it might come off as bragging if you don’t say it sincerely.
- I’ll get right on it
As soon as you are assigned a new task, get on with it as soon as you can. Show your intent to work with your words and follow up with your actions.
- Let’s get this done.
Like “I’ll get right on it,” this sentence also shows your intent to get work done while building your rapport with your colleagues or teammates. This would also allow you to establish yourself in a managerial position, uplifting morale and fulfilling work requirements simultaneously.
- Could I have your advice on this?
It is psychologically proven that if you ask people for help, they will get to like you better. It’s simple, people like being needed. It gives a sense of accomplishment and puts them in a position of power. Once you ask for advice, you imply that you value their input on a professional level, which would also help you in the future if you need help. Also, make sure that you thank them for their help, emphasizing that their opinion is valued.
- That sounds like a plan.
Whether it is a team member’s input in the conference room or a colleague’s suggestion about where you should go for lunch, make your stance of agreement known. It is an informal expression that expresses just how enthused you are with an idea. You can also decide to say it with more gusto by enunciating it with an exclamation point rather than a period.
These phrases are not the alternatives to saying, “I am looking forward to working with you.” Rather, these are follow-ups to that claim, making sure that it appears to your colleagues, teammates, and superiors that you meant what you said and that you follow through with your promises.
Show That You Looked Forward To Work
Your first day at work can be a source of excitement as well as nervousness. It, therefore, becomes important that you keep a positive attitude when you step into the threshold of your new workplace. Much like your actions and words, your body language is closely scrutinized when someone sees you for the first time. You should convey confidence and no hesitation as you have earned the position you have come to work for.
It should be clear on everyone’s mind, especially on your own, that you are serious about working in this new job and capable of doing a good job while you are at it. Following are a few ways in which you can show everyone that when you said you were looking forward to working, you were not lying:
- Arrive on Time. It does not need to be emphasized that coming late to your first day at work would be bad for you. Your absence would allow for speculation and a sincere donut in your work ethic. You could be a great worker but your punctuality, or the lack of it, would decide if you would be taken seriously or not. It is easy to avoid though. Since it is a new route, you can decide to leave early in case of traffic jams or any other issue. Be prepared to show up at least ten minutes earlier than the reporting time, until you fall into a routine. Your punctuality would translate to your reliability so make sure you are always on time.
- Dress Professionally. Make sure you are familiar with the dress code of your workplace well before the first day of work. Make sure to ask a colleague or a superior about the appropriate dress code and update your wardrobe if necessary. Dress appropriately and professionally for the first few weeks so that your co-workers can see your professional attitude in your dress.
- Be Confident and Stay Confident. If you are confident in your stance and in your ability to do a good job, it will show on your face. If you are confident with your credentials and your capability, it automatically would ease your nerves on your first day. If you find yourself worrying about how your co-workers would perceive you, know that your confidence would allow you to be more open with them, and they would feel more comfortable with you. Make sure your posture is relaxed along with your facial expression, your handshake is firm, and that your arms are unfolded. Maintain eye contact when someone talks to you and pay complete attention to their words. Ask follow-up questions if you have any. Do not hesitate to ask questions and trust your instincts.
- Don’t Forget to Smile. An extension of the previous point, your confidence should be reflected in your facial expression. Frowning would not help you so make sure you have a smile on your face as you go through with introductions. Greet your co-workers with a smile and acknowledge their greetings with a smile. If you appear friendly to your new colleagues, they would automatically want to include you in their professional and personal circle.
These simple yet effective ways are just alternative means to express that you are looking forward to working with your new co-workers.
Other Ways to Express the Same Intent
Given that there is little to no chance of being misunderstood when you say that you are “Looking Forward To Working With” someone, it remains a phrase that would continue to be used in workplace situations. However, novelty is often appreciated and even searched for by many. Therefore, some alternative ways to convey your anticipation to your colleagues after joining a new organization would come in handy, especially if you are meeting with a group and would like to address everyone individually with different greetings.
Other ways to express the same intent as “Looking Forward To Working With You” are:
- I am excited to work with you.
Straightforward, this phrase expresses exactly what you are feeling so that the recipient is aware of your stance about working with them, along with your enthusiasm towards collaborating specifically with them. It also places the conversation in an informal setting, addressing the person first, building a relationship.
- It would be great working with you.
Given that you have known the person for a while before getting in a situation where you would be working with them, this phrase can be used to convey the surety you would feel based on your assessment of the rapport built between them you and the recipient. For example, the person addressed can be a colleague from a different department you have only known personally so far or a client who has recently decided to finalize a business deal.
- I am eager to work with you.
This is another way of saying the above-mentioned sentence. It expresses a level of enthusiasm that is not found in “I am looking forward to working with you.” However, expressing enthusiasm in this way can lead to misinterpretation based on subjective understanding. If unsure of the interpersonal relationship with the person you are addressing, refrain from using this sentence because there lies a significant risk of coming off as desperate.
- I can’t wait to work with you.
Even if you replace the period at the end of this sentence with an exclamation point, the level of excitement that this sentence conveys would not be much altered. This sentence is best used in a situation where familiarity with the person being addressed runs deep and extends beyond the workplace situation.
There are numerous ways to express your intention of working with someone in a new professional setup. These can be verbal, including oral and written means, and non-verbal, namely your body language and actions. Whichever way you decide to convey your interest in working with someone, make sure you follow through with it as well.
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