It's tough being the new hire in a workplace that's been hit by layoffs and budget cutbacks in the past few years. Although a number of companies are starting to rebuild their staff, employees are likely to feel insecure about their jobs well into economic recovery, say experts. And new staffers might find existing employees wary of newcomers and resentful of the extra workload they've had to take on during the downturn. That can make it difficult for new employees to fit in and be productive. But if you've landed the job of your dreams at a demoralized workplace, you can find a way to fit in without being brought down yourself.

• Keep a level head. Anxiety is an emotion that's easily picked up from others, says Paul Baard, a professor at Fordham University and a workplace psychologist. He says it's important to work to keep yourself from feeling the same anxiety current employees have been feeling.

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Working in a demoralized office can be tough for new employees.

He recommends new hires "keep putting ideas out there," keep moving forward. "The less dependent [you are], the less vulnerable [you will] be to going into an atmosphere that is anxious," Dr. Baard says. Don't get caught up in looking back at the bad times that have plagued the past year or two.

• Stay neutral. A demoralized workplace can be factionalized so it's critical not to take sides, says Margaret Morford, president of HR Edge Inc., a management and training consultancy in Brentwood, Tenn. "Stay out of the conflicts. If a co-worker needs to vent, tell them that you prefer not to hear anything negative about other employees since you have to work with them," she says. "Whatever you do, don't join in on the negative talk."

• Take initiative. Your new coworkers may feel resentful and overworked from trying to fill gaps in staffing. Offer to lend a hand early on in order to demonstrate that you're there to help make the job easier. But don't be surprised if you're first met with suspicion in your attempts, experts say. To workplace survivors, "everybody is a competitor," says Dr. Baard.

The key, he says, is to engage your new colleagues often and establish ongoing collaboration on projects or department initiatives. If you're particularly concerned about being seen as a threat, invite your coworkers to lunch-but do it one-on-one says Ms. Morford. "As a group, they are used to relating in a way that doesn't include you," she says. "Groups may also bring tension with them to lunch."

• Find a lifeline. If you're having trouble connecting, find somebody-a mentor or senior colleague-who can help you navigate the workplace and break the ice for you. It can even be somebody outside of your department. Look for a mentor who doesn't speak ill of other employees or the organization and who has a track record of working to mediate conflicts.

• Stay positive. Do your best to stay positive about your new role and the new office. Experts say it can take up to four months to truly get a picture of a new workplace and the underlying social dynamics. And as established staffers recognize that new hires often signal a positive turn for their company, their attitudes are likely to change, too.

Write to Dennis Nishi at cjeditor@dowjones.com

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