Break the Ice at Work (or Anywhere) with These Unconventional Questions

By Stijn de Groef - CEO & Co-Founder @ Talmundo

You've hired a new awesome team member and you want to be sure that he/she not only does a great job, but also feels integrated and at ease with your team. One of the hardest things about onboarding a new employee has nothing to do with learning how to use the company's systems, or where to find the copy machine.

The hardest part of starting a new job is making a place for a new hire in a team that already exists. Friendships have been forged, dynamics set, and often times everyone is just too busy to remember what it's like to be the "new kid". You want your new hire to have an awesome onboarding experience - to feel engaged and integrated into their new role, new team and new organization.

Helping Your New Hires To Integrate

Of course some people are good at integrating themselves, but why leave it entirely up to your new hires? He/she's got so much to learn and do already!. Help your new hires break the ice at work? Instead of the same-old team introduction on Day 1, put together a fun ice breaker questions activity with the whole team! They will get to know the new guy, as well as each other better, in a fun break from the daily grind.

Here are 30 unconventional ice breaker questions you can use to get you started:

• What do you usually have for breakfast?
• Name a food you dislike.
• What did you want to be when you were a kid?
• Favorite T.V. show?
• Favorite item of clothing?
• What color is your bathroom?
• What is your favorite candy?
• Where would you retire to?
• Are you a morning person or a night person?
• What was the last movie you saw at the cinema?

Can you see how these would help new team members to open up and start engaging with the rest of the team? Here are some more:

• What is the last book you read?
• What’s your favorite season (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall)?
• Do you play an instrument?
• What date your calendar you are looking forward to?
• What is your favorite restaurant?
• What’s the most unusual job you’ve ever had?
• What always makes you laugh?
• How do you take your coffee/tea?
• Describe your perfect day off.
• What interest haven’t you pursued, but have always wanted to and what draws you to it?
• Favorite comic strip character?
• All-time favorite movie?
• Sweet or salty?
• What is something no one here knows about you?
• Favorite game?
• Cook in or eat out?
• What makes you laugh out loud?
• When was the last time you got the giggles at an inappropriate time?
• What was the last thing you geeked-out about? Where were you?
• What is the best thing that's happened to you in the last year?

All the best with integrating your next new hires into the business quickly and effectively. If ever we can help, do reach out.