Five tips for starting a new job while working from home

In 2020 we saw a surge in remote working in different sectors. Both employers and employees have had to adjust to operating on new platforms as we hoped that things will resume as usual in the next couple of months.

This shift was also made for those who are self-employed. The fact that we all can’t travel feely for business meetings and other necessary needs has caused so many people to get used to working from home.

With these new working environments, there are certain things that people are still adjusting to. One of them is how to successfully push through when starting a new job remotely.

Luckily, we have just the right tips to help you out. 

Do practice runs on the different applications

One of the best ways you can ensure you present yourself well is by getting familiar with the different applications and platforms you will be using.

You will probably have some training but it’s good to prepare yourself before your first day to make sure everything is running smoothly. In case of anything, you’ll still have time to communicate with someone who will get the issue sorted out.

This is better than experiencing problems a few minutes before your first meeting.

Create your working space

Choose a specific area in your home where you’ll be working from. There are usually many distractions at home so you should separate where you work from other areas.

Make sure it is somewhere presentable because you might have to do some video calls often.

Also, remember to shop for a comfortable seat and desk beforehand so that you won’t struggle with back and neck pain in the middle of a busy schedule.

Be on time

Showing up late for your first day at work or for any meeting for that matter isn’t a good look. It’s very easy for others to notice that you’re constantly late, which is why you need to organize yourself when it comes to time management.

And considering you’re working from home, there really isn’t an excuse for being late. Gone are the days you would blame it on traffic and car trouble.

Get to know your workmates

Before the pandemic, it was easier to embrace your new job and bond with your workmates. You could simply introduce yourself and freely interact with your new team.

Now that most of your meetings will be online, you have to open up more and adjust on how you approach people so that you can at least form a bond with some of your workmates. 

Find out the different ways your colleagues would like to be approached whether it’s through emails, direct messaging or any other mode they prefer.

With time, you’ll get to know other important details such as when they’re usually available as you settle in.

Practice active listening

Effective communication and active listening keeps remote working running. Your attention needs to always be on your work to prevent misinterpretations. Things won’t always run perfectly but it’s possible to avoid major communication mistakes.

Prepare a notebook where you’ll jot down important notes and don’t be afraid to ask for clarification whenever you need to.