How to Work Remotely
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- Hello and Welcome!If you are reading this, congratulations on your remote from home job!Let's set up your home work station for your career's success!
- First you'll need to set up your work station. It is important to confirm what working at home supplies your job is able to offer. The IT department typically loans a laptops, monitors, and computers. Most people typically already have a comfortable office chair, reliable internet, and a desk.If you have a personal budget and know you plan to work remotely long term, consider investing in a filing system (or use desk storage), a standing desk for movement, and noise-canceling headphones!
- Now that your workstation is ready for your first day, it is important that you set up a routine for your work day.Your routine may include:Making breakfast, showering, getting dressed, and making yourself a cup of coffee or tea. Set your lunch break and take effective breaks throughout the day with a quick stretch or walk around the block.
- It's important to maintain a healthy work life balance schedule, set expectations for yourself and others around after-hours emails or Slack messages. Letting your emails sit until the following day is perfectly OK and in line with healthy boundaries.
- When you work remotely it is important to prioritize your mental and physical well-being. You can easily slip into a routine that doesn’t include healthy movement and daily self-care or a focus on your nutritional needs. You’ll build a love-hate relationship with your coffee pot if you’re not intentional with your boundaries from the beginning.From day one, you should establish and maintain a routine that includes focused mental and physical health exercises. If you get off track, you can create a weekly check-in to review and tweak.
- Phase 2: Launching Your New Role Successfully:Once you have your workstation set up and daily work routine, you’re ready for your first day. Remember that first impressions matter, so communicate while balancing initiative.Review and Clarify Expectations and Resources:Your new manager has probably scheduled meetings and introduced you to your team. Make a list of questions after reading up on the company’s remote work and communication policies.Make sure that you’re clear on the expectations. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. Even if it feels like a small thing, ensure you’re on the same page before missing a deadline.
- Connect with Team Members: Reach out and say hello to a few coworkers. It can be simple and brief. It’s OK to send, “Hi! I’m looking forward to working with you!”Share your interests and respond to team-building questions. The key to building virtual relationships is to seek information, rather than simply sharing yours. Ask open-ended questions and express interest in the posts they’ve shared.
- Schedule Routine One-on-One Time:Your manager should have scheduled regular time with you to discuss workload assignments, timelines, and goals. This is your opportunity to ask questions, review progress, or provide feedback or ideas on current projects.Meetings are also great to build rapport and a relationship with your manager.Discovering common ground or expressing interest is a great way to grow a respectful and professional relationship.
- Revisit Your Time Management and Workflow:Include routine assessments of your processes and workflows. Are you still managing your time well? Do you need to adjust your strategy at a particular time of the year? How are you staying focused when distractions flare up? Asking yourself these questions can help you keep ahead of any potential derailment and make sure you remain productive.
- Phase 3: Maintaining Long-Term Career Success: Remote work can be isolating, so you must stay on top of your career development.Create a Career Development Plan:Make time to research career paths, attend online workshops, or reach out to mentors or peers who are further along in their professional development. Look into other roles that you can use to gain experience and move up in the company or your industry.
- Review Your Flexible Options:Once you’ve had some time to establish your routines and blend your work-life balance, you can determine if there’s extra flexibility that might meet your needs. You may be working a flexible schedule but need the accountability of required hours. Evaluate where you’re at and if your job is still the right fit for you and your work style.
- Grow Your Network: Virtual networking can be intimidating, but remember that you’re simply having a conversation. Start with coworkers and others inside your company. After that, ensure you’re investing time regularly to update your LinkedIn profile and interact in industry groups.Take advantage of volunteer and freelance opportunities to increase your experience and connections.
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