Elevator I never imagined starting a job from the comfort of my own home. The “new normal” hit me on my first day as an Account Coordinator at ELEVATOR, when I was getting ready in the morning with first-day jitters in full effect. I started my long commute to work, which was just the mere length of the hallway away.
COVID-19 has impacted everyone on different levels, and I am one of the lucky ones who was able to stumble upon a fantastic opportunity during a time of uncertainty.
Naturally, going into my first day, I was nervous about being onboarded digitally. Knowing it was not only a new experience for me but also my employer, as I was ELEVATOR’s first new hire during social isolation and distancing, eased my nerves. Gratefully, my first week went smoother than I could have hoped. I was not only able to connect with my coworkers as a result of going through this new experience together, but I also learned a great deal about what the “new normal” work-life entails.
Here are 5 tips to help you navigate starting a new job remotely:
- Set up a workspace in your home
I found having a dedicated workspace in my house helped me separate work life from my personal life. I was lucky enough to have all of my equipment delivered to me before my meetings started, allowing me to be set up with everything I needed to be productive from day one. - Be Patient
While this is a new experience for you learning how to navigate working digitally, it may be a new experience for your employer. Things may not run as smoothly as you are used to, you may experience technical glitches or onboarding may take longer than expected, but your ability to be patient and adapt will go a long way. Remember, patience is a virtue. - Get to know your coworkers
In an office setting, you can take a coffee break with your colleagues to get to know them personally, but it can be harder while working from home. While it may be harder to get to know your coworkers and connect with them on a personal level, it is still critical in a work from home setting. I recommend joining group calls early, so as people start to enter the call, you can start a conversation. Putting in a little extra effort will go a long way. - Communication is KEY
Being a hand raiser is critical during your first week of a new job, especially while working remotely. Without being together physically, it is hard for your coworkers to see if you’re struggling to understand or keep up, making it up to you to speak up and communicate that to them. I found it helpful to ask urgent questions via email and set up a call at the end of the day with a colleague to answer all of the other questions I compiled throughout the day. - Don’t be hard on yourself
There are going to be times you make mistakes or get down on yourself. Your new coworkers are not expecting you to know everything during the first week. Remember that everyone has found it challenging to pivot during this “new normal” at one point or another.
Congratulations on your new job!