Five tips for starting a new job remotely
Starting a new job can be exciting. The first day jitters and eagerness to jump in are often amplified by getting to know the office and your new colleagues. However, starting a new job from home might lack that same luster, especially when your whole team is spread across the province (or beyond!).
We all know that the last year has been challenging and (dare we say it?) unprecedented. We have all had to pivot, adjust and mitigate our risks in ways that we haven’t had to before.
Luckily, at Agnostic, this pivot has been seamless. Our team has nearly doubled since the pandemic began, and while onboarding may look a little different, our ability to communicate and strategize as a team has only been made more resilient by the challenges this year has brought with it.
After speaking with our new teammates about how they’ve adjusted to starting a new job from home, we’ve made a list of tips to help those starting a new team, without being able to meet or work in-person:
1. Ask questions
The days of turning around in your seat to ask your colleague a question may seem to be long gone, but that doesn’t mean that being curious is any less important. Whether your questions are about the work you’re doing, your team’s communication style or even just how your coworker’s weekend was, your colleagues will appreciate your interest, and you’ll thank yourself for asking down the line.
2. Keep a routine
Though you won’t need to worry about late trains and packing leftovers, keeping a routine is still important in setting yourself up for success. Wake up at the same time as if you were commuting and use that 'commute' time to do something productive - work out, meditate, journal, make breakfast - the time is yours to set your day up for success.
3. Meet your colleagues
Happy hour may be on hold, but getting to know your coworkers is now more important than ever. Establish a connection with your teammates by scheduling a quick, virtual chat where you can get to know their interests and introduce yourself on a personal level.
At Agnostic, we ask new teammates to give a brief presentation about themselves, sharing their interests and previous experiences to the broader team. This way, our team can ask questions and understand our newest teammate’s specialties in a fun and engaging way.
4. Be patient
It can be challenging not to jump into new work right out of the gate. From onboarding, to meeting new teammates, to learning the intricacies of your new workplace, it may take more time to get you off the ground than usual. With that in mind, be patient. You’ll be well on your way into your new gig in time, but embrace a quiet beginning to do some research and book meetings with your new colleagues.
5. Check-in
Flexibility and patience are always crucial virtues, but even more while joining a new team remotely, checking in when possible can help to ensure your team is truly integrated. Set up some times to check in with your team, either one-on-one or as a group to ensure that you’re meeting your goals, and that everyone is on the same page.
Outside of one-on-one meetings, the entire Agnostic team meets briefly every week to discuss projects, celebrate successes, and check-in with each other, keeping our team tight and ensuring we’re all working together.
Starting a new job remotely may seem daunting, but setting yourself up for success is key to making working from home work for you. Read more about how our team works here.
