These tips for starting a new job remotely will help you be successful in the first few weeks of your new job so you don't have to improvise or feel unprepared.
Starting a new job remotely definitely comes with its own set of challenges.
Sure, you don't have to worry about having bad coffee breath on the first day. But maybe you show up as a cat or mute yourself on your very first video call with your new company and colleagues, which is just as awkward.
While it may seem like you can just "show up" and improvise in your new role, it's better to be a little more prepared, as you'll learn in this guide.
We'll show you how to get your new one Remote-Job Start off on the right foot so you can impress and succeed with ease in the first few weeks.
If you follow these four tips, the first days and weeks at your new job will feel less intimidating.
Not only will you make a good first impression, but you will also fit easily into the team and feel at home. All of this can make the transition easier for you and everyone involved, even if this is your first time working remotely.
#No. 1: Prepare for this new role as you would for a personal position
Even if you don't physically go to an office, that doesn't mean you shouldn't prepare. You may find - especially after reading this guide - that you need to prepare even more when starting a new job remotely.
That's because you don't have the luxury of being trained in person like you would in an office. Instead, you'll probably spend a lot of time figuring out what to do on your own based on a guide.
So how can you stay ahead of the curve?
First, make sure you have the right equipment for the job This could be a computer with enough hard drive space, a better internet package, or a working microphone and camera.
You don't want to be faced with frustrating technical difficulties on day one. This would leave everyone feeling agitated and telling their colleagues that they are not on top of everything.
Next, you should know which tools you need to use and download them in advance . Uses your new company Zoom or Skype for virtual meetings ? What about the project management tool used there? Is it Asana, Basecamp or Trello?
Most likely, your HR department or manager will contact you in advance to give you access to the tools the company uses. Once you receive this, you should start downloading and using it before your first day at work.
This gives you time to get to know them and ask questions before things get serious. Then you can get started on the first day.
Fill out all important forms and documents in advance so you can get straight to work. . Typically, you will sign the paperwork on your first day. But when you work virtually, you can do these things well before you start.
Whether you need to fill out W-9 forms or submit copies of your IDs, try to get this done sooner rather than later.
At this time, it is also a good idea to review important documents, company procedures, and remote work policies.
Bring your knowledge up to date . Find out about the skills and abilities you will need on a daily basis. This way you can ensure you are up to date on the latest trends and can get started straight away without the need for training.
If you e.g. B. as Social-Media-Koordinator Before you start, you'll want to familiarize yourself with each platform's latest features and best practices before your first day.
Additional research will also help you gain confidence in your abilities. And it can open your eyes to new ideas. These are two things that every external company values.
Don't be afraid to ask questions . Keep a notebook handy and write down any questions that arise during these final steps. Set them as quickly as possible so you don't fall too far behind or make a mistake in the first few days or weeks.
No one expects you to be perfect or know everything right away, but your team will appreciate that you took the time to learn about their processes and that you ask insightful questions.
You can later address these questions remotely with future new hires, so you might even help them improve their virtual onboarding process.
Find out about your company and your employees so that you don't go into this blindly. . You may not have enough time on your first day or week to learn more about your colleagues and the company. That's why it's worth doing some of this research in advance.
Check out your employees' LinkedIn profiles, take a quick look at the articles they share, or browse their digital portfolios. This information will help you quickly form relationships, find common interests, and delve deeper when the time comes.
#No. 2: Create your own office space and keep it free of clutter
If you show up for a job in person, the company will usually provide you with a nice, clean office space in which to work. But since you will be working remotely, you will have to create your own workspace.
Even if you only use a small corner in your kitchen, you should make it feel like you're in a real office. Make sure you can sit down comfortably and work, concentrate for long periods of time and be productive.
Consider background noise and whether you too Video calls have to do. You don't want a loud, cluttered or distracting environment to get in the way of your calls.
If you need to print something, consider keeping a small filing cabinet nearby to keep everything organized and within easy reach.
Using a whiteboard and calendar near your office can also ensure you stay on top of your tasks and never miss an appointment.
#No. 3: Dress for the role as if you were going to the office
The phrase “dress for the role you want” also applies to working remotely.
Even if it's a casual company, that doesn't mean you should show up in your pajamas.
And only covering the upper half of your body is not recommended. What if you need to get up during a video call to open the door or free your cat from your modem?
You'll feel more productive when you dress up for work, and you'll also have a more professional appearance. This makes it feel less like you're working remotely and more like you have a "real" job (with great flexible work arrangements!).
#No. 4: Do a test run before your first day
One of the best tips for starting a new job remotely is to do a test run before your first day of work.
Normally this would involve getting up early, getting dressed and planning your commute to work.
For a remote role, the first two steps remain the same, but from there you can test unknowns, such as: E.g.:
Updating your programs and system
Login to your software and email
Try a test video call
Establish and stick to a flexible schedule
You don't want to be busy with all of these things on day one. Practice these tasks in advance so that you feel like you have everything under control.
You can also check the upcoming tasks in your project management software to make sure you know what is expected of you in the first week. Then you can get started right away or ask questions.
If you follow these four tips, you'll be in a better position to start your new remote work job on the right foot.
You'll also find that the transition is easier than expected and that the first few weeks are a breeze rather than a stressful period of trying to figure everything out at once.
If you've never worked in the field before, this preparation will make you feel so comfortable with your new work style that you'll wonder why you didn't take a virtual job sooner.
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be turned off in our systems. You can set your browser to block these cookies, but then some parts of the website might not work.
Security
User experience
Target group oriented cookies
These cookies are set through our website by our advertising partners. They may be used by these companies to profile your interests and show you relevant advertising elsewhere.
Google Analytics
Google Ads
We use cookies
🍪
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, optimize the user experience and to indvidualize and evaluate advertising. By clicking Okay or activating an option in the cookie settings, you agree to this.
The best remote jobs via email
Join 5'000+ people getting weekly alerts with remote jobs!