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Bonnie Johnson
December 31, 2020
Newsletter Article
By Bonnie Johnson, AgCareers.com
You’ve landed a new remote, work-from-home job, and set your start date; how do you make sure you start on the right foot? Your first days and weeks on the job can set the tone for your success or failure with the organization, even from afar. Working remotely has benefits, but the transition and onboarding process differs than a traditional job. Although some organizations may bring remote workers in-house for training and onboarding, the process may be entirely virtual because of COVID limitations.
Like virtual career fairs and virtual interviews, there are some standards to set for yourself before you start: declutter your background, make it clean and simple; you need to look the part (dress as you would if going to work in-person); minimize noise and distractions; and ensure your devices and internet are working properly.
Unlike driving to work where traffic, car trouble, or weather may hinder your commute, there really aren’t many excuses for being late when starting a remote job. Communicate with your supervisor prior to your start date so you understand expectations, including hours, meetings, and lunch breaks. Login early so your new employer isn’t waiting on you! Also, ensure you are reachable until the end of the workday. Your new supervisor may check in on you to see how things are going and answer additional questions. Be ready for an unscheduled message, chat, or phone call!
Keep in mind you’re also receiving a flexibility benefit simply from remote work. Don’t expect and don’t request additional flexible work hours in your first month on the job. Unless your job offer clearly defined it, flexibility in work hours is usually an earned perk and shouldn’t be anticipated by a new employee. First you need to learn about the company and gain insight by spending time with coworkers and managers during regular work hours, when they’re readily available to answer your questions.
Employers give autonomy to an employee once they’ve had time to understand the organization, can be a good representative of the company, and function independently. As a new employee, don’t assume that you will receive the same privileges as more tenured employees.
Getting to Know You
Starting a new job can be overwhelming. You’re learning a new company, new role and meeting many new people. Virtual networking takes more effort than it would getting to know your coworkers in an in-person environment—no water cooler talks or office parties. Hopefully you and your new employer will take advantage of video technology like Teams, Zoom, or GoToMeeting where you’ll have both audio and video to enable a more personal experience. You probably won’t memorize every new face, but since virtual meetings are usually accompanied by a “nameplate” for each participant, it may make it simpler to put a face with a name.
New employees are often the center of attention, but remember it’s not all about you. Ask questions to get to know your coworkers; don’t take for granted the wealth of knowledge you can gain from them.
Showing your enthusiasm also takes a bit more effort in a remote environment. Besides strong verbal communication skills, you also must take advantage of non-verbal body language. Using head nods or shakes can reiterate your agreement or disagreement without interrupting.
Always be prepared with a paper and pen for note taking. The employer won’t expect you to understand each task assigned, but they expect you to take notes and keep track of deadlines. Taking notes helps you recall details, reminds you of your responsibilities, and sends a positive message to your supervisor. An employee that follows directions is better able to work independently and builds trust with their manager. Go over your notes and set reminders for yourself when projects are due. Your supervisor won’t be sending reminders for deadlines looming.
Follow-up with your manager on action-items and let them know how projects are progressing. Discuss options with your supervisor if you do not think you’ll be able to meet a deadline and suggest alternatives. Providing updates gives your manager a sense of comfort knowing where projects are at without having to micromanage. If you’ve finished a project, don’t be afraid to ask for more to do; take initiative.
Put Your Right Food Forward
Be engaged in your new remote work environment—commit yourself to learning all you can about the organization and your position in order to take a big step towards your future success. Expect a few technology snafus; you may notice some room for improvement in the communication department especially if this position is newly remote because of the pandemic.
Starting a new remote job successfully comes down to communication, and most importantly, asking questions and requesting clarification if needed. Do your part to ensure you’re actively listening and taking notes, so you don’t continue to ask the same questions repeatedly.
For more advice on remote working, check out our Remote Teamwork Strategies article. If you’re looking for remote opportunities, use the AgCareers.com Advanced Search and click on the “Include Remote / Work-From-Home jobs” checkbox.
