Of course, we want to make a great first impression when
starting any new job, but virtual work
can pose its own challenges.
After all, you don't get to directly speak
with your colleagues or make that in-person impression,
which, yes, can make onboarding that much more difficult.
But luckily, we've got the inside scoop just for you.
Hey, everybody.
I'm Sinéad.
And coming up in this video, we're
going to share five steps for how to succeed
at your new remote job.
Because trust me, working from home
can be more difficult than you think.
Raise your hand if you have kids, pets,
or simply just get easily distracted.
Keep it raised if your answer is all of the above.
Yeah.
I get it.
So be sure to stick around until the very last step,
because we'll unveil some not so obvious work
from home wisdom that could save you
from the work-from-home burnout.
All right, let's get started.
Step one, define success early and set goals accordingly.
So your first day or two will likely
consist of training with human resources
and reviewing general information about the job.
Now, during this period, set some time aside
to speak with your manager about expectations.
They will likely set this meeting with you.
But if not, be sure to remain proactive and initiate one
yourself.
Your goal here is to gain clarity
around their definition of success for your role.
And in this meeting, consider asking
questions such as are there any existing goals
for this position?
What would exceeding your expectations
in the first 90 days look like?
What am I expected to accomplish in the first 30, 60,
and 90 days of this job?
How does my role align with the larger goals of the team?
And because some remote positions
provide flexibility and scheduling,
maybe ask, are there any times in which I should definitely
be online?
And which time zones should I be paying attention to?
After your discussion, set a series
of smaller goals for yourself as you begin work.
I highly recommend using the SMART goal method,
meaning that each goal should be specific, measurable,
achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
And for even more information on how
to set effective SMART goals, be sure to check out
this video right up here.
All right.
Now, before I move on to step number two,
if you've watched this far, please give us a like,
subscribe to our channel, and of course, hit that notification
bell to get more career advice.
And then head down to the comments
and let us know the steps that you've
taken to be successful in your new remote job.
We'd love to learn what's working for you.
All right.
Let's move on to step number two, prioritize communication.
One of the biggest barriers to success in remote work
is communication.
You're not working in an office where you can just
turn around and ask someone a question
or build relationships during your lunch break.
So reaching out and communicating
is critical to your career growth
in the virtual workplace.
First, you'll want to gain access
to all necessary communication systems that your team uses,
and this includes company email account, messaging platforms
like Slack or Microsoft Teams, company VPNs,
and any important workflow documents that
include processes and reports would be helpful to gain access
to as well.
It's worthwhile to make sure that you're
familiar with any ticketing systems and IT support.
Once you gain access, you should also
make efforts to understand how your team communicates.
Part of this process is observing and learning.
But you can also save time by just asking someone how
they prefer to get in touch.
So here are some questions to ask
to learn more about your coworkers communication
preferences.
What's your preferred method of communication,
such as video calls, phone calls, email messaging systems,
basically how do they like to be communicated with?
Is this the same method you prefer
for quick or urgent questions?
At what intervals would you prefer to check in?
Should we set a standing meeting for that time?
Which decisions would you like to approve?
Which decisions should I make on my own?
Who would you recommend that I meet with in the coming
weeks and months?
And that last question about networking
is a great transition to step number three.
Meet everyone that you can and then some.
So we've already covered how working relationships
are the key to your success in any job.
So cultivate those connections.
When you enter a remote work environment,
it's typical for a team lead to welcome and introduce you
to your coworkers.
If that doesn't happen after the first week,
go ahead and do it yourself.
Include a photo, your role, your key responsibilities,
and if you feel it is appropriate,
a few of your hobbies, and then seek out other ways
to connect with people.
There may be a mentorship group or other programs
to support your remote networking needs.
If not, aim to introduce yourself personally
to people, including those on other teams
that you will be interacting with.
When you identify someone that you'd like to meet
or get to know, drop them a line to explain that you're new
and you would like to introduce yourself.
So a quick message, such as, Hello, Tom.
My name is Caroline and I'm a new project
manager on the enterprise team.
I'm looking forward to working with you.
I would love to meet for a short one-on-one
to get to know you and your work and how we can work together.
Is there a specific day or time that works best for you?
When you meet, ask questions about their career path,
work goals, and the best ways to support your work together.
Even if it's just a quick intro, the effort
to make that personal connection goes a long way.
And for even more advice on making connections at work,
be sure to check out this video right up here.
But here is a good takeaway, a pro tip for you.
Try scheduling a virtual team lunch
or an after-work virtual hangout.
It's crucial to build connections
with your coworkers considering that you won't likely get
to work with them in-person.
Step four, seek out opportunities to learn.
Chances are you are thrilled to get started and do
the best work possible.
So take every opportunity to learn as you go and ask
questions along the way.
Let's face it.
The first few weeks on the job is information overload.
But after you get started and you've introduced yourself,
take steps to prioritize your learnings.
Start by reviewing information about the company,
their products, goals, competitors, vision,
and structure.
Then refine your learnings and ask your teammates
for their expertise.
Beyond that, don't be afraid to ask to be included in meetings.
Getting inside happens more easily
in the office, of course.
When you're sitting in the same area and most of the team
gets up to go to a meeting, it's easier for people
to realize that they should include you.
But since they can't see you, it's up to you
to self advocate.
When you're still learning and you don't have a lot of ideas
to contribute, sitting in on team meeting
can help provide context on how the team functions.
And it will also give you good insight
on who you should contact for related projects.
All right.
Now, let's move on to our final step.
Step five, just breathe and be patient with yourself.
Starting a new job remotely, though exciting,
can be challenging.
There's usually a lot of information coming
at you and fast, and you're left wondering
how to process it all.
Plus, given that this is a new virtual job,
remote work is already kind of a different ballgame.
It can take more time to receive answers to questions.
It may take longer to build relationships when
compared to working in an office setting.
And it might be tough to gauge how much
or how little to communicate with the team.
But just be sure to give yourself
some time, time to ramp up.
And remember that you are not expected
to be an expert in anything right away.
Also, while proving yourself is a natural instinct, especially
early in a new position, it's also
OK to set boundaries about when you are available.
It's better to assume a sustainable workload,
so that you can avoid burnout in the long run.
Slow and steady always wins the race.
Now, we know video conferencing can get exhausting too.
So one thing you could try is speaking
with your manager about slow meeting Fridays
or some alternative that will allow
you to work independently.
This is crucial to staying remotely energized.
Is Zoom fatigue a thing?
Because it definitely feels like it might be, so
be sure to take the time to re-energize perhaps
with a walk, some good music, or whatever helps
you feel refreshed and your day on a productive note.
All right.
Now, let's recap the top five steps for succeeding
in your new remote job.
Step one, define success early and set goals accordingly.
Use SMART goals to set achievable benchmarks.
Step two, prioritize communication.
Communication can be challenging in a virtual world.
So make sure you have access to all communication systems
and learn the best ways to stay in touch with your manager
and team.
Step three, meet everyone that you can.
Build your network starting with key stakeholders.
Step four, seek out opportunities to learn.
Knowledge is power.
So don't be afraid to get advice from others or to self advocate
by asking to be included in meetings.
And finally, it's step five, be patient with yourself.
Getting adjusted to a new job takes time.
If you're feeling behind, give yourself some grace
and remember that a remote job poses
its own set of challenges.
If you found this video helpful, please, please give us a big
thumbs up.
And, of course, subscribe to our channel
so you never miss out on our weekly career advice.
And for even more information on how to succeed at your new job,
we have covered with our career tips playlist.
And we've also got you covered if you
are looking for remote work.
I'm Sinéad.
Thank you all so much, and I'll see you next time.