Introduce yourself to your new team
Who you are, what you will work on, one line on where you come from, and a request for a few minutes with each person. Short, friendly, and sent in your first day or two.
Three rules
1
Keep it short
Five short paragraphs at most. Your team reads it between other mail; the details come in person.
2
Make it about them too
Ask for a few minutes with each person to learn what they do. It starts the relationships and tells you who to go to.
3
Check who to send it to
Ask your manager first: some prefer to introduce you themselves, or want it in the team chat instead of email.
Write yours
Subject
Hello from [Your name]
Hi everyone, I am [Your name], and I joined today as a [your role]. I am still learning how things work here, and I would be glad of fifteen minutes with each of you over the next couple of weeks to understand what you do and how I can help. I will send a few invites, but do grab me any time. Looking forward to working with you, [Your name]
4 blanks in [brackets] to fill.
Runs in your browser. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.
Questions people ask
Should I send it on the first day?
Usually on day one or two, after your manager has introduced you or said it is fine to write. Later than the first week and it reads oddly.
Email or team chat?
Whatever the team uses. The same text works in Slack or Teams; drop the subject line and keep it shorter still.
What should a fresher write about their background?
Your college and course, and one project or internship if it relates to the work. One line is enough.
Should I mention my previous company?
One line on what you did is useful context. Avoid comparisons with how things were done there; it is the fastest way to lose a new team.
Still getting ready for day one?
The documents a new company usually asks for, as a checklist that remembers your ticks.