Starting a new job is demanding and overwhelming under the best of circumstances. But doing it amid a global epidemic complicates things a little more, even more so when much of the work of a new job is online.
Imagine being on board for a new job, a new company, and new colleagues but without meeting them physically. You’re in the comfort of your home, and you’ll be figuring out what to do and how to carry out tasks independently.
But first things first. Cheers on your achievement if you are starting a new remote job. It would be challenging, but it is an enviable position.
If you join a company with many remote employees, they will likely have a well-oiled remote onboarding procedure.
If your new employer has recently switched to remote work, things may be a little bumpier, making preparing and asking for what you require more crucial.
This article will tell you what you must do in your first week at your remote job. Use this article as a guide, especially if you are a newbie in remote work, to survive your first week and prove to your employer that you’re for the long run.
Table of Contents
Things to do in the first week of a new remote job
Make your home office ready.
If you need more time to prepare your home office before starting your new remote job, the first day is the ideal opportunity to do so. Ensure you have everything you need to be a successful, efficient, and productive remote worker within your reach.
The bullet below isn’t an all-inclusive list, but here are things that you may need to double-check before your first day at work:
- Ensure that you have the appropriate usernames and passwords
- Checking your computer and accessories for functionality and determining whether you require upgrades
- Having a setup that is both comfy and ergonomic is essential
- Establishing boundaries with friends and family
Talk with your manager on the day of or before your start date.
Take advantage of this time to learn about the projects you’ll be working on, who you’ll be working with, and whether you can use any resources to familiarize yourself with the project before your first day.
Your manager may be busy and may not think of such things ahead of time or may not want to bother you. But if you contact them before your start date and ask for information, they will most likely be happy to assist you.
Request a preview of presentation slide decks, reports, short courses, and webinars to listen to in advance. These documents will offer you an advantage and make your initial weeks with your new team more productive.
Taking the initiative and being proactive is crucial in a new job, especially when working remotely.
Get acquainted with the company’s background, as well as its rules and policies.
Your new employer has likely provided you with some information to help you get started. It could include a handbook, rules, or a list of the company’s communication and collaboration programs.
Begin by reading through available resources and knowledge bases to learn about the job and the company. Of course, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
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Make a list of your short-term and long-term objectives.
To be successful, you must first understand what is expected of you in your new role during the first few months. To set targets, you may set objectives for the first 30 days, 90 days, and six months on the job.
Breaking projects into actionable plans will provide structure and focus to your early days and weeks, allowing you to meet those expectations.
Plan to meet with your manager after 90 days to get feedback on how you meet your objectives.
Learn about your coworkers.
Getting to know people on your team and your company colleagues with remote work will take more effort. In the traditional work setup, building rapport would be easier since you would run into them daily at work.
You can start knowing them a bit better by inviting each member of your immediate team to a 30-minute virtual meeting with you to learn more about them, what they do, and how you might be able to collaborate more successfully with them.
Ask your teammates if there are any other people or groups you may interact with at work who would be beneficial to meet and reach out to them for a meeting.
During group and individual video conferencing conversations, keep your video on to get the most out of virtual meetings with your new colleagues.
Choose a professional background, maximize lighting, and pay attention to the topic, just like you would with any video engagement. This way of getting to know your coworkers can help you determine whom to seek guidance from about specific parts of your job.
It will also be easier to approach them if you have already met them before requiring their assistance.
Read Also: A Survival Guide for Remote Workers
Make expectations known to your boss.
Your boss won’t lurk over your shoulder, telling you what you should and shouldn’t do. For the most part, this is a positive thing, but when starting a new job, it’s helpful to know what your supervisor expects of you.
On your first day, request time to ensure you understand their communication, work management, and productivity demands.
Learn about the resources available to assist you.
Make sure you identify your resources to get off on the proper foot. It applies to both people and objects.
Consider the following questions:
- Where can you get IT to help?
- What kind of training do you need to finish?
- Do you have access to all the servers and platforms you could need?
- Are there any subscription services that require passwords?
- Who do you turn to when you have a question?
- Are you a member of all the necessary email groups?
Be bold about asking many questions. Your boss will probably believe that’s good because you’re taking the initiative, planning, and possibly remembering stuff he forgot.
Learn how your coworkers and team prefer to communicate.
Communication is vital in any situation. And creating clear communication channels among team members is imperative when working remotely.
Determine what tools your business and immediate team use to communicate and how they prefer to receive and share information as soon as you begin.
Your new boss would appreciate a brief message through the company’s instant messaging system alerting them of an important email you sent.
Some managers may require a weekly update in the form of an email. Your team members may prefer that all project-related communication be kept on the project management platform.
Be careful with your words until you get to know your coworkers. This rule applies regardless of the tools you’re using because it’s easy to misread your intentions in the absence of face-to-face meetings and visual indicators.
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Practice gratitude.
As you begin your new career, you’ll have many questions. While your peers will certainly be pleased to help, express gratitude to everyone who responds to your IMs and emails, whether your manager, another remote worker, or a coworker in the office. Thank you notes are an excellent way to begin creating relationships.
Take care of yourself.
Don’t be too hard on yourself when you reflect on your first day as a remote worker in your new role.
Even if you didn’t get all you wanted to be done, take a deep breath, relax, and realize that many more days are ahead of you.
Remember that we’re all learning to perform at our best in a virtual world. Be patient with yourself, your coworkers, and your boss.
Hopefully, they’ll give you the benefit of the doubt as well.
Takeaway
It’s exhilarating to start your new remote work on the first day.
These pointers can assist you in making the most of your first day on the job. As you progress, many new abilities and habits will become standard operating procedures.
Implementing such tactics now will help you prepare for your following job change and assist you in onboarding a new team member to your group when the time comes.
