How to Join A New Job While Working from Home

Since the pandemic, many people’s working lives have changed completely. We’ve now gone from being in the office full-time, to either working from home full-time or following a hybrid model. Either way, a shift has occurred. And although working from home can be great for productivity, there are a few instances where we greatly benefit from being in the office – especially when starting a new job.

First days are all about meeting your team, getting a tour of the office, being set up with your PC and generally easing yourself into a new atmosphere. So, what happens when you join a company remotely?

It’s much more difficult to get to know your colleagues and if there isn’t a support network already in place, you can easily find yourself isolated from the rest of the group. And with so much flux happening within the jobs market right now, we decided to put together a helpful guide for joining a new team while working remotely, to make sure you get off to a great start.

8 Tips for joining a new job remotely

1) Set up an office space

Make sure you have a good, supportive chair, your desk is at the right height, you have enough light and also have a pair of noise-cancelling headphones for calls and concentration.

And finally, remember to have a professional background to ensure you make a good first impression when joining video calls.

2) Dress smart

Home life has made for a more relaxed approach to work. There’s no commute and there’s less of a need to dress smart. However, remember your new colleagues are still getting to know you and it’s important to make a good first impression.

Stay smart and have your camera on when on calls so that you can start to build a professional rapport with people around the business.

It doesn’t just help to demonstrate that you are serious about your role but it also helps others to feel confident in your abilities.

3) Get to know your colleagues

Help others get to know you when you speak to them. Of course, stay professional, but when the time is right, there’s no harm in sharing a few interests, to give others the opportunity to learn more about you.

This way, you can start to connect with everyone you are dealing with on a daily basis and start to relax into your role.

4) Jump on the phone

Meaning can sometimes get a bit lost over emails and direct messaging. And especially when you are getting to know others, it’s really important to pick up the phone so you can properly engage over a call.

Again, video calls are great for doing this. So much of our communication happens through our facial expressions and body language so it’s important to remember that this is going to be the best way to connect with others – as well as stay connected while we are all outside the office.

So, jump on a Teams call and remember to take with you, one of your most valuable assets – your smile!

5) Build your support network

If you haven’t been assigned a work buddy, then it might be a good idea to ask for one – depending on your role. Where, in an office space, you might be able to look around and see who’s free or is willing to help, when you’re at home, there’s no way of knowing this.

And without knowing anyone or knowing their workloads, it’s difficult to know who to ask or who you can go to regularly for help. After all, who doesn’t have questions when they first begin a new role?

6) Take notes

When you start a new role, you might have someone with you or next to you who can help out when needed. Perhaps, to catch you when you might be on the wrong screen or just to help guide you in an unfamiliar situation.

This isn’t going to be possible when joining a new team remotely. So, it’s important to make notes every time you learn something new. That way, when you come across it again, you have your own materials to be able to refer back to.

You can also ask for training materials or good online courses to help you with any gaps in your knowledge so you can learn in your own time.

It might even pave the way for your own guide which can be used in the future for other new starters who onboard remotely.

7) Organise a coffee morning

If there isn’t already one in place, ask your manager if you are able to organise a regular coffee morning with your team. That way, you have an appropriate informal setting to be able to get to know your work colleagues.

It also gives your mind a break – which is important when starting a new role. There is often a lot to take in – and this, coupled with wanting to perform well can make you stressed.

Often, one of the best things about any particular role, is the people. Get to know them and let them get to know you!

8) Go easy on yourself

Remember that being productive doesn’t come from working constantly – this is unrealistic. Give yourself a proper structure and stick to it. Ensure you take breaks and that you have a balance of focus time and time where you can just tune out for a few minutes in the garden with a cup of tea. Taking a walk at lunchtime is also a good way to make sure you don’t get too stressed while working at home.

Read more in our feature entitled, how to be more productive and you can also get some great tips from our blog on how to avoid burnout.

 

Just started a new role with us?

If you have just started a new role with us or are about to take on a new position and you need some help or advice, just get in touch!

Over the phone

Like everyone right now, we’re working from home, but we’re still just as connected with the world. We’re available Monday to Friday 9am-5.30pm, just call: 1890 911 211

Video calls

Perhaps you would like a chance to practice talking on a video call before an interview? Just drop us a line and let us know. Call us on 1890 911 211 to arrange.

Email

Of course, you can get in touch with us via email and send us your CV at:

info@itcontracting.ie

Live chat

We also have a Live Chat box on our website – and just in case you’re wondering, it’s our lovely team at the other end of the messages, not a chat bot. So, feel free to send us a query on there too. Just click the speech bubble on the bottom right hand side of the screen.

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