Yes, there are certainly benefits of not having to report to the office (less chaotic mornings!), but when you’re a new hire trying to learn the ropes, make a stellar impression, and prove yourself—the lack of water coolers and true face-time makes settling in particularly tricky. How are you going to strike up a casual conversation, build relationships with colleagues, or present an idea in a brainstorm? Who do you go to if you have an HR-related question? Luckily, there are ways to ensure your first few weeks (and months) are successful and enjoyable. Career experts and leaders offer their best solutions for navigating a new job when you’re totally remote. The best way to handle this tricky spot is to ask for some basics up front, Christou recommends. This includes an organization chart, a list of internal and external resources, and a hiring buddy if they can offer it. “This should be a tenured, existing employee who can be a single point of contact to direct, ‘Who can I ask about X?’ questions,” she says. “Preferably, this is someone who can also provide historical context on how and why the business operates the way it does.” (This might be the person on your team, for example, who’d meet you at the elevators and show you around on your first day, if you were in the office.) Alioto recommends adding an agenda item about communication styles when you connect with managers and teammates for the first time. This sets the expectation that you want to work effectively. “Make sure you’re also exploring different platforms to reach people,” she continues. “You may find that even though some teammates are more formal over email, they might be very casual on the phone, so you can use this knowledge to form more personal relationships and communicate more effectively.” RELATED: How to Thrive When You’re Working From Home Permanently She suggests directing questions to HR about how the organization follows through on its core values. “Ask the leaders of your team how they embrace these values. Take this as an opportunity to get involved in groups or non-profit initiatives in which the organization is involved. This will also support you in growing and developing a strong network within the organization,” she adds. RELATED: Why Impostor Syndrome Gets Worse While Working Remotely (and How to Silence the Self-Doubt) To get started, she recommends taking advantage of business communication platforms, like Slack, that often allow employees to connect through dedicated channels, based on interests, goals or shared situations (New Parents, Yoga Fans, and so on.) “If you see an opportunity to create a new group or channel, talk to your leadership about creating one,” she continues. “By participating in these communication channels to connect, relate, and share feedback with your peers, this will enhance your engagement and visibility within the organization.” Much like buying new clothes to celebrate your new gig that’s in-office, consider this your opportunity to splurge on necessary essentials to create your at-home area. “You’re going to be clocking a lot of hours in your home office space; make sure it’s comfortable,” she continues. “Find a chair or stand-up desk that works best for you. Find out if your company will send you a headset or some noise-canceling headphones to ensure you can hear and be heard during meetings.” RELATED: 4 Ways to Take Advantage of Job Benefits While Working From Home
