How to Successfully Start a New Job Remotely

It’s hard to remember any professions that have not been impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you lost your job, moved to work from home, or had to follow new protocols as an important worker, most people have noticed significant changes in their work lives over the past few months. And while unemployment has skyrocketed in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak, believe it or not, some companies are still hiring new employees.

Let’s say you are one of them – congratulations! You did the seemingly impossible and managed to get (or at least start) a new job during the pandemic. This is no small feat. But also, you’ve probably never done this before, especially if your new role is as a manager. So how do you succeed?

Thinking is everything, according to Dr. Laurie Watley , clinical psychologist and author of Connected and Engaged , and moving into new jobs and leading a team – even in these strange new circumstances – is no exception. “This is a great opportunity to get excited for sure,” she tells Lifehacker. “When we are able to view unusual circumstances as opportunities, we can overcome anxiety. One helpful way to do this is to focus on what you want to accomplish in your new job and with your new team as their leader. ”

Regardless of the new position, Whateley said, success requires rethinking unexpected obstacles – focusing on the end result, not the problems in achieving the result. “Train your mind to be distracted from the things that scare you because where you look, you control,” she explains. We spoke with many experts to learn more about remote start-up strategies. Here’s what we learned.

Tips for starting a new job with remote team management

If you know how to lead a group of people and make sure everything works effectively, you might know how to be a manager in a physical office, but what about a virtual one? Here are some ways you can be successful.

Contact your team individually

Human resources professionals constantly emphasize that communication is incredibly important when working remotely. Of course, this is important in the office as well, but when you can’t see your team in person, some of your message may be lost or misunderstood. This is why Willie Greer, who founded The Product Analyst and led the HR team when the company first started, recommends talking to your team members individually. “When you lead a team remotely, it’s your responsibility to personally report issues or challenges,” he tells Lifehacker. “It’s also better to contact them from time to time and ask them about the problems they face in order to be able to provide a more comfortable working environment.”

Ask your boss to work with you with a resident manager in the state

Do you want to know from the inside what it is like to be a manager in a new place of work? Christopher Prasad, Marketing Manager at JookSMS , suggests asking your new boss to introduce you to someone who has previously performed the same role as yours and to get advice from him regarding your particular work situation. “[It] can stop the one-person funnel getting everything and any questions newbies need to ask,” he tells Lifehacker. “New hires should feel comfortable, ask questions honestly, and not worry about dealing with people. Trying to avoid small things can lead to bigger problems. Remember, the team wants you to be successful. “

Set clear expectations

Part of communicating effectively with your team is setting clear expectations for them. “Explain to everyone your work style and what you expect from your team,” says Lifehacker Neil Taparia, founder of Imagine Easy Solutions and former Chegg CEO. “For example, if it is important to separate your home and work life, tell your team that you do not want them to reply to emails after 6:00 pm.”

Lead as if you were in the same room with your team

If you’re starting a new job remotely, Loanry CEO Ethan Taub says you have to remember that the main difference is that you’re not in the same room with your coworkers. “The team needs clear and understanding leadership – you need to be that voice for them,” he tells Lifehacker. “You have to motivate them to do the work as if you were in the same room. This is quite possible if you also feel motivated. “

Tips for starting remote work

Whether you’re coming as a high-level manager or a lower-level employee, there are certain steps anyone can take to get started remotely on the right (virtual) foot. Here are a few.

Start on time

This sounds obvious, but you absolutely need to be on time for your remote job. Unlike in personal work, you can no longer use the “rough commute” as an excuse for being late. Just because you can work in your pajamas doesn’t mean you can be sloppy about punctuality.

Keep a constant list of your questions

No matter how much training you get when starting a new position, there is usually a lot to keep and then apply when you study a new job. Questions will inevitably arise, so when they do arise, write them down, suggests Dr. D’vorah Grezer, Founder and CEO of KISSPatent Innovation Consulting . Keep a continuous list of your questions so you don’t forget about them. Also ask your manager where they prefer to answer your questions. Maybe they want you to ask about everything as it comes in, but perhaps they prefer you bring your list to a pre-scheduled meeting so they can knock out a few of them in one sitting.

Meet your colleagues

One of the most stressful parts of starting a new personal job is getting into an office ecosystem where everyone already knows each other. When you’re not in the same office, it can be especially scary to get to know everyone – their work style, their sense of humor, and other basic information that can help you work together more effectively. “I’m not saying that you have to become friends, but know who they are, what their time zones are (this is very important!), What are their responsibilities and any other information that is important for you to do your job,” Grazer tells Lifehacker … “Basically, there are many questions! The more you ask, the easier it gets. “

When starting a new position remotely, it may seem like you are out of touch when it comes to getting to know your coworkers, but the opposite is actually true. Take time to connect with them – especially those you will be working with directly – and begin the process of getting to know each other, even if you are not in the same room. Dan Keyes, COO MyCorporation.com , recommended to get acquainted with your new colleagues across the Zoom and regularly conduct private chats , to stay in touch. “This is especially important if you are in control of their workloads,” she adds.