Advice for Starting a Job Remotely
Starting a new job can be both exciting and intimidating. It’s not only the challenge of a new company and company culture to understand, but to starting a job remotely can be even more of a learning curve!
How to Make the Most of Your New Remote Role
Company Expectations: Ensure you understand the company’s expectations and the tools you’ll need to do your job effectively. This can include communication policies: How does the company prefer employees to communicate with each other and clients? Is email the primary means of communication, or are other tools like chat apps or video conferencing software commonly used? Become familiar with meeting expectations. Will you be expected to participate in regular team meetings? If so, how will these meetings be conducted (e.g., via video conference, phone call, etc.), and what is expected of you in terms of preparation and participation?
Dedicated Workspace: Create a dedicated workspace in your home. Having a designated place to work will help you stay organized and focused. Choose a quiet and comfortable location. It’s important to find a place where you can focus without distractions, so try areas with a lot of foot traffic or noise.
Make sure you have a comfortable chair and a good desk or table. You’ll likely be spending much time sitting, so it’s important to have a comfortable and supportive chair. The same goes for your desk or table – ensure it’s the right height and has enough space to work comfortably.
Invest in the necessary equipment. Depending on your job, you may need specific equipment or tools to work effectively. Ensure you have everything you need, such as a good computer, monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
Keep your workspace organized. Having a cluttered workspace can be distracting and make it difficult to focus. Take a few minutes daily to tidy up and organize your space.
Routines and Boundaries: Establish routines and boundaries. It can be easy to blur the lines between work and home when you’re working remotely, so it’s important to set aside dedicated time for work and ensure you have time for breaks and relaxation.
Set boundaries with family and friends. Make it clear to your loved ones that you are working and may not be available at certain times.
Take breaks and step away from your work. Taking breaks and giving yourself time to rest and recharge is important. Try to take a few minutes every hour or so to stretch, get some fresh air, or do something enjoyable.
Be Connected: Stay connected with your team. Always check in regularly with your coworkers and stay up to date on team projects. Take advantage of virtual collaboration tools. Many tools are available to help remote teams stay connected and collaborate effectively, such as video conferencing software, chat apps, and project management platforms.
Working remotely has benefits and drawbacks in these changing times and workplace opportunities, especially when working remotely. If this is your first time working remotely, the added learning experience and new company culture can be challenging. We hope the above tips helped; if we can help you further in your career, reach out to the Signature Source team anytime!
