Starting your new job remotely may make it more difficult to hit the ground running and it might take you longer to feel comfortable in your new role. But there are proactive steps you can take to make starting your new job remotely go smoothly.
10 tips for starting your new job remotely
Set up a workspace
Before starting your new job remotely, you’ll need to set up a workspace at home. Whether that’s at your kitchen table or a desk in a spare room, you’ll need to create a dedicated work environment at home. Ask your company to get all the equipment you need sent to your home before your start date or if you’re using your own equipment such as a laptop, talk to your manager/ IT and make sure it’s all set up and ready to go with the technology you’ll need for your new role.
Start on time and dress appropriately
This seems obvious, but you need to show up on time for your remote job. Even though you’re working from home, you can’t sit in your pyjamas all day. Bear in mind you will likely take part in video calls with your new colleagues so dress appropriately to make a good first impression.
Be confident
Your first day in a new job can be nerve-racking but as long as you remember why the company hired you, you’ve nothing to fear. So be confident and believe in yourself, remember it’s your first day – no one is expecting you to know everything from the get-go.
Do your homework
Make sure you’ve taken the time to understand your new job responsibilities, research the company again and understand as much as you can about the company culture. Find out who you will be working with and what they do then make a list of key contacts.
Learn how your new team communicates
Does your company use a certain video conference tool? Are there weekly video meetings you need to attend? If so, make sure you have the relevant software installed on your laptop. Learn how everyone in your new team communicates – do they prefer video calls or chats on Microsoft Teams, emails or phone calls? It’s a good idea to align yourself with your new team as knowing their preferred method of communication will make it easier for everyone to get to know each other.
Get to know your colleagues
When starting your new job, it usually involves meeting your colleagues. As you can’t meet them face-to-face at the moment due to current restrictions, your new manager may set up a video call to introduce you to the team. It’s also worthwhile getting to know your colleagues on an individual level too – schedule quick ‘get to know each other chats’ with your new co-workers and try to hold them regularly to mimic the informal interactions you’d have in the office and to help build stronger relationships.
Make notes
Make notes of people’s names you are introduced to remotely, your login details and passwords so you only need to ask once.
Keep busy
First days can go slowly as you won’t have an established routine and may be waiting on training or managers to give you work. Keep yourself busy during these periods by studying your new company’s systems and learning everything you can about your new company.
Ask questions
Starting a new job is incredibly intimating but don’t be afraid to speak up and ask questions. Prioritise your questions with what you need to know immediately such as company procedures. It may be worthwhile keeping a running list of non-essential questions to ask when the time is appropriate.
Develop a routine
Even though you’re more flexible at home, create a daily routine. Wake up, eat lunch, take breaks and start and finish your working day at the same time every day just like you would if you were in the office.
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