Entering the new coworking spaces for the first time can thrill and excite one a little. With flexible, high-tech workspaces dominating conventional offices, an increasingly larger group of professionals has first-time coworking experiences.

As a freelancer, an owner, or a small team, shared workspaces introduce a new combination of community, flexibility, and productivity. In this blog, we will explore five tips that will make your coworking experience as a beginner a success, allowing you to make the most out of coworking in shared workspaces.

5 Tips for first-time coworkers

Below listed are the most important tips for the first-time coworkers visiting a shared workspace.

1. Embrace the etiquette of coworking spaces

Understanding workplace courtesy in a shared working environment is critical to developing harmony and a positive atmosphere. Unlike private offices, shared workspaces require everyone to practice consideration in terms of sound, private spaces, and shared property. Some best practice tips to remember include:

• Keep noise down: Listen to music, view videos with your headsets, and make private phone calls in private phone booths or in specific quiet areas.
• Respect privacy: Do not peep over coworkers’ shoulders, and don’t join private conversations. Instead, use discreet engagement through anticipation for a break in conversation and then entering naturally.
• Tidy up afterwards: Clean your desk, organize your room, and tidy your space when your visitors have departed.

These simple actions not only make your integration into your workplace community easier but establish a sound basis for long-term working relationships. For further information about this, see our article Rules for coworking spaces.

2. Choose the right space for your needs

Not all shared workspaces are the same. When selecting a space, consider location, amenities, community environment, and price carefully. Let’s review a few tips for selecting:

• Location matters: Find a location for your workplace that is convenient for your residence or in an area you enjoy spending time in. If you’re in a city, try to search for locations in renowned commercial areas.
• Examine the amenities: Do shared workspaces have minimum provisions, including high-speed connectivity, conference rooms, and lounges? Look at the reviews or book a tour to gauge whether it can work for your purpose.
• Community and society: Networking is a necessity for most, and in such a scenario, choose a location with an active community and events taking place regularly. For instance, BHIVE’s shared spaces in HSR Layout, Church Street, and Indiranagar have been much appreciated for their vibrant communities and welcoming environments.

By carefully considering the above mentioned tips, you can choose the best coworking spaces that will serve your career objectives and your liking. Don’t forget that a proper working environment must serve not only as a working place but also as a platform for growth and collaboration.

3. Maximize networking opportunities

One of first-time coworking’s greatest strengths is the built-in networking opportunity. Unlike traditional offices, where one will have little interaction with fellow professionals, shared workspaces collect a range of professionals with disparate skill sets and experiences under one roof. To make the best use of these networks:

• Attend community events: Most shared workspaces have a schedule of recurring events, such as meet-ups, workshops, and social events. These gatherings or events are an ideal way to connect with like-minded people.
• Engage in shared spaces: Not only utilize shared spaces for focused work but also consider them as an opportunity to network. Greeting a fellow with a friendly “hello” can form meaningful relationships.
• Leverage digital tools: Certain spaces have inbuilt networks or forums in which members can post jobs, share ideas, or work together on a project.

For more information regarding growing your professional network, make a point to go through our blog post Tactics to optimize your hybrid work model. 

4. Utilize the amenities effectively

Coworking spaces have been designed with productivity in mind, and a range of amenities can have a significant impact on your workday. To make the most use of these options:

• Explore the spaces: Spend a little while to know all the amenities, such as high-speed internet connectivity, conference rooms, phone booths, and recreational zones.
• Plan meetings effectively: Book conference rooms in advance for important meetings, and make sure to abide by any rules in order to maintain a tidy and efficient working environment.
• Enjoy community amenities: Most shared workspaces, including BHIVE, have privileges such as maintenance-free operations and vibrant community events that can make your work life a lot more enriching.

Using these shared spaces not only maximizes your productivity but enables you to enjoy the coworking space features that have been designed to make new workstyles a reality.

5. Plan your day for maximum productivity

Time management stands as an essential requirement for workers in shared workplaces. Staff at coworking locations can work dedicatedly on their tasks as well as participate in social exchanges because the workspace design supports these activities. The following productivity strategies will help you optimize your working day according to these tips:

• Block out focused work periods: Block certain hours of daily operation to fully focus on work duties with minimal disruption.
• Time your work breaks effectively: To maintain peak performance during busy work sessions and relax during short recovery periods. These breaks should allow you to perform networking or permit moving away from your workstation.
• Set clear goals: Begin your day by setting precise goals, which you will refine throughout the day through item adjustment based on importance levels.

Read the article How coworking integrates flexibility with productivity to discover additional techniques for improving performance in collaborative workspaces.

Conclusion

Stepping into a new shared work environment for the first time is an exciting opportunity to build your career in a social and energetic environment. To make the most of your experience, pay careful consideration to key factors such as proper shared work environment etiquette, choosing an ideal working environment, utilizing all the amenities, creating meaningful relationships, and planning your workday effectively. Having a planned strategy will not only maximize productivity but will also boost your creativity and career growth.

Ready to have the best of coworking? Look at BHIVE’s cutting-edge workspaces and drop in at its locations to explore the perfect configuration for your needs.

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