Starting a new job remotely? there are some things you should remember to do to help you get started on the right foot, especially if this is your first time working as a virtual employee.
Here's what you need to know to succeed on your first day of your new remote job:
Set up a workspace: before starting your new job remotely, create a dedicated work area.
Start on time and dress appropriately: getting dressed for work shifts your brain also bear in mind you will likely take part in video calls with your new colleagues so dress appropriately. Keeping up appearances, especially your own, will bolster your self-esteem and improve your work ethic.
be confident: 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: remember that you're at your new workplace because you were selected—among all the dozens of candidates—as the best person for the job. Your employers have faith in you and want you to succeed, and their job is to help you flourish in the role.
Check your tech: if your new employer sends you any equipment, don’t delay in checking it out to make sure everything’s in working order. If something’s wrong, ask your manager for IT support and follow up with them. Your IT rep can also give you direction on setting up equipment if you’re using your own devices. Besides email, don’t forget to ask them about file sharing, online collaboration and anything else you might need to interact
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.
Introduce yourself: starting a new job always involves introducing yourself to a lot of new people as they learn who you are and what you do. That process might take a little longer and require a bit more effort on your part when you start remotely, even if your manager or HR sent out some kind of introduction email. In your first days and weeks, pay attention to how your manager, teammates, and other long-time employees talk to one another and use that as a guide.
Learn how your team communicates: having a sense of your new coworkers’ communication preferences will make it easier and more comfortable for everyone to get to know one another and foster positive and productive interactions.
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. Prioritize 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.
And last but not least you should remember to give yourself a break: as you look back on your first day as a remote worker in your new role, don’t be too hard on yourself. Even if you didn’t achieve everything you hoped to do, take a deep breath, relax, and remember that you’ve got many more days to come. What you learned on day one will help you on day two, and that process will continue as long as you prepare well, work hard, ask questions, and learn from your mistakes.