Having friends at work is always nice. These individuals can support up when we are swamped with work and lend a helping hand if we need it. Friends at work are there to give you the honest advice that your family members may be scared to say. Since no one truly wants to work all the time, having friends at work gives us that extra motivation to get up in the morning and head into the office.

Your coworkers can become your friends pretty quickly because you see them for 40 plus hours a week. Normally you will make friendships with the co-workers you interact with the most. You might share an office with them or you are in the same department. These co-workers are the easiest to be-friend and a friendship almost develops naturally.

There is no such thing as having too many friends so it is important to spend some time getting to know all of your co-workers. Don't just limit yourself to the co-workers that sit next to you. Branch out to other departments. You can meet these individuals in the break room or in other social gathering areas of the office. Don't be a wallflower and expect them to talk to you, reach out to them first. If you can make yourself known as a social butterfly, everyone will get to know you and many of them will try to be like you. An office filled with friendly staff members has a lower turnover rate and a higher employee satisfaction rating.

One of the easiest ways to make friends is to smile! This doesn't take too much effort on your part. When you introduce yourself to your co-workers, smile at them and be genuinely interested in them. Give them eye contact when you are having a conversation, this is an easy way to let them know you are interested in them.

Another way to make friends at work is to remember their names! You probably hate it when someone cannot remember your name, how do you think it makes your co-workers feel when you can't remember their names? It is embarrassing if your co-workers can address you by your name, but you have to respond with a "oh hey there....how are you?" because you have forgotten their name. Try to associate your co-workers with a celebrity or another thing that can help you remember their name.

A great way to make friends with your co-workers is to invite them to lunch. Even if you both go outside and eat your sack lunches, you will have some time to talk and get to know them better. If your co-workers invite you to lunch, don't turn down their invitation. This is a sign that they want to get to know you better and you should acknowledge this by going to lunch with them.

Bring something to work that is a conversation piece like pictures. If you are allowed to decorate your workspace, a picture of your family is a great way to break the ice and start up a conversation with your co-workers. This provides them with the opportunity to get to know you a little better and it will help you break out of your shell a little bit.