--- title: Your Handy Guide To Office Speak description: "Easing into a new position can be daunting, especially if its your first full time job. You may find yourself in a meeting, or reading through emails and not having a clue what everyone is talking about. We've all been there.\nBut don't worry! We're here to help you to get to grips with office lingo. Here's a breakdown of the top 7 phrases you need to know before starting your new job!" image: https://blog.iii.ie/hubfs/office1.jpg --- [![logo-from-updated-site](https://blog.iii.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/Insurance%20Institute/logo-from-updated-site.png?width=178&name=logo-from-updated-site.png)](http://www.iii.ie/) [**MEMBER LOGIN**](https://eu-quercus.elluciancloud.com/app/iii/f?p=10604:101:3609409149439) - [Programmes](https://iii.ie/Programmes) - [Certificate in Product Advice](https://iii.ie/Programmes/Certificate-in-Insurance-Product-Advice-APA) - [Certificate in Insurance Practice](https://iii.ie/Programmes/Certificate-in-Insurance-Practice-CIP) - [Higher Diploma in Insurance Management](https://iii.ie/Programmes/Higher-Diploma-in-Insurance-Management) - [Specialty Programmes](https://iii.ie/Programmes/Specialty-Programmes) - [Insurance Practitioner Apprenticeship](https://iii.ie/Programmes/Specialty-Programmes/Insurance-Practitioner-Apprenticeship) - [Certified Insurance Director](https://iii.ie/Programmes/Specialty-Programmes/Certified-Insurance-Director) - [Certificate in Climate Risk](https://iii.ie/Programmes/Specialty-Programmes/Certificate-in-Climate-Risk) - [Micro-credentials](https://iii.ie/Programmes/Specialty-Programmes/Micro-credentials) - [Affiliate Programmes](https://iii.ie/Programmes/Affiliate-Programmes) - [Non-General Insurance Qualifications](https://iii.ie/Programmes/Affiliate-Programmes#non-general-insurance-qualifications) - [Certified Diploma in Loss Adjusting](https://iii.ie/Programmes/Affiliate-Programmes#cdip) - [ACII to FCII](https://iii.ie/Programmes/Affiliate-Programmes#acii-and-fcii) - [Exemptions](https://iii.ie/Programmes/Exemptions) - [Exams](https://iii.ie/Programmes/Exam-Information) - [Membership](https://iii.ie/Membership) - [Membership Categories and Fees](https://iii.ie/Membership/Membership-Categories-Fees) - [CPD](https://iii.ie/Membership/CPD) - [Local Institutes](https://iii.ie/Membership/Local-Institutes) - [Careers](https://iii.ie/Membership/Careers) - [Register of Compliant Persons](https://iii.ie/Membership/Register-of-Compliant-Persons) - [Employers](https://iii.ie/Employers) - [About Us](https://iii.ie/About-Us) - [Our History](https://iii.ie/About-Us/Our-History) - [Leadership Team](https://iii.ie/About-Us/Leadership) - [Blog](https://blog.iii.ie/inside-track) ![Blog Banner 2](https://blog.iii.ie/hubfs/Blog%20Banner%202.png "Blog Banner 2") # Your Handy Guide To Office Speak 16/07/19 10:20 / by [The Insurance Institute](https://blog.iii.ie/inside-track/author/the-insurance-institute) ![The Insurance Institute](https://blog.iii.ie/hubfs/TII_Simpl_Horiz_Blue_Favicon.ico) So you've landed the job. Congrats! Easing into a new position can be daunting, especially if its your first full time job. You may find yourself in a meeting, or reading through emails and not having a clue what everyone is talking about. We've all been there. But don't worry! We're here to help you to get to grips with office lingo. Here's a breakdown of the top 7 phrases you need to know before starting your new job!   ![office1](https://blog.iii.ie/hubfs/office1.jpg)   **1. On-boarding** This is what is currently happening to you. It is the process by which new employees are brought into the company. It can include everything from showing you where the bathrooms are to giving you training in the various software programs you will be using. **2. Bandwidth** This isn't just a term used when you transmit a signal. in office speak, it means not having the energy, time or mental capacity to deal with a situation. it's also sometimes called 'head-space' and is commonly used in sentences such as - 'I don't have the bandwidth to take on that project today'. Cautionary note: this is not something a new employee shouldn't say out loud in their first week! **3. All-hands** When an all hands meeting is called, it means everyone is invited and/or expected to attend - as in the naval order 'all hands on deck'. Many companies want their workers to feel included and in the know, so they hold these big meetings and include people from all departments. **4. Circle back** This is a version of 'checking in', albeit with a slightly more passive aggressive punch. if your boss is circling back with you, it means she wants a progress report. it's good to make sure you have one for her. **5. Touch base offline** let's say you're in a meeting and something like a private personnel matter is raised. your manager may suggest that the conversation be moved offline - in other words, go private. to touch base offline is to have a one-on-one meeting. **6. Drill down and deep dive** If you’ve been asked to “drill down,” your manager wants more information. To drill down is to dig deeper, investigate more fully, or explore the situation in greater depth. And when you do all that, it will be said that you took a “deep dive” into the problem. **7. Pain points** Most businesses create opportunities by coming up with solutions to problems. Those problems are pain points. Your manager also may ask you what the pain points are for your job. She’s asking what’s bothering you, and giving you an opening to discuss ways to streamline company procedures and work more effectively. > If you're interested in starting your career in insurance, head to [our website](https://www.iii.ie/qualifications) to view [our qualifications](https://blog.iii.ie/inside-track/our-qualifications-each-one-explained-in-less-than-50-words) and find out more about how you can get started.     The Insurance Institute of Ireland Insurance Centre, 5 Harbourmaster Place IFSC, Dublin 1, D01 E7E8 01 645 6600 | [info@iii.ie](mailto:info@iii.ie) The Insurance Institute of Ireland is registered in Ireland. 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