7 Tips for Starting Your Remote Job

The coronavirus pandemic has given the job market an unexpected shakeup, with millions of workers across the globe filing for unemployment. However, many companies have successfully transitioned to remote work despite these alarming figures, even hiring new employees through digital recruitment.

If you’re one of those lucky people who have recently landed a job during these unprecedented times, chances are you’re wondering how you can get used to a new work environment without meeting your employers and colleagues face-to-face.

Here are TopMBA’s top seven tips to successfully start your remote job and ensure that you have a smooth and successful transition.

Investigate the company culture

A virtual office is a strange place, and it can be hard to find out what your new company’s culture is. Make sure you research your employer extensively and ask yourself: what are the values that I need to comply to? How should I approach other employees? What attributes are people rewarded for in this specific workplace?

Once you’ve familiarized yourself with these, it’ll be easier for you to feel part of the company and your dedicated team.

Get to know your line manager

Having a good relationship with your line manager is crucial and will also aide you successful transition into the company. Make sure you consistently schedule one-on-one calls to get to know them better and talk through the ambitions you have for your new role. They might even offer you some additional development and training opportunities that’ll allow you to progress quicker within the organization.

Explain the way you work

In normal circumstances, it’d be easy for your managers and colleagues to find out how you work. However, starting a job remotely means that you won’t have those in-person interactions that allow people to get to know you, which might cause some short-term difficulties.

For this reason, we recommend that you be proactive and talk through your work preferences with your new team. Some of the topics you might want to cover include scheduling, teamwork, communication and commitments outside of work hours.

Make sure you have the right equipment

This might seem like an unnecessary step, but don’t underestimate the importance of having the right set-up at home.

If you feel like you lack specific equipment, such as desk chairs, microphones or screens, bring it up with your employer. They’ll likely provide it for you, or at least give you enough allowance to purchase it yourself.

Schedule calls with colleagues to build relationships

A harmonious team requires honest relationships between colleagues, and the same applies when working remotely. We recommend setting up informal calls with other members of your team to find out important information about the company and the roles everyone has within it. Once you’re more comfortable talking to them, you’ll likely feel more valued within the team and you’ll have made new friends who will make the transition easier.

Keep communication going

It can be hard to stay on top of things when working from home, which is why communication is a key component of remote work. Make sure you keep your manager in the loop and don’t let any problems slide – it’s perfectly reasonable to ask for help, especially in an unusual work environment.

Expand your network

And finally, try and expand your network as much as you can. During company-wide meetings, take note of the employees you’d like to speak to in private and schedule one-on-ones with them to find out more about their role within the organization – this will foster collaboration and allow you to nurture meaningful relationships.

Virtual events are also a great way to make new connections, especially if you’ve changed industry or sector. Take a look at what you can find online, and make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date so that others can easily find you.