[imagesource: Getty]

It’s tough to think of any sector of business that hasn’t been impacted by the pandemic.

In some cases, jobs were lost or salaries cut, and there aren’t that many opportunities for those looking to change professions or start somewhere new.

If you are one of the lucky few, however, who managed to score a new job, you’re probably going to find it a little more challenging than you would under normal circumstances.

In industries where working remotely is an option, most companies have made it the new norm to limit the spread of the virus in the workplace, which means that you could find yourself in the position of starting a new job, at home.

Lifehacker put together some tips to help you adapt.

If you’re managing a team remotely

Slotting into a managerial position where you don’t know your team is already tricky. Doing it when you can’t meet them in person is something else entirely.

Here’s what to do:

• Get in touch with your team individually: When leading a team remotely it’s important to make contact with and get to know each team member, their challenges and needs. You should also contact them personally to address concerns or assign tasks.
• Partner up with a long-term manager of staff: Ask your boss to team you up with someone who knows the ropes. Their advice will be invaluable and can help you find your bearings. They can also fill you in on company culture.
• Set clear expectations: Part of communicating with your team is setting clear expectations for them. Explain your work style, and ensure that you set things up to maintain a proper work-life balance.
• Lead as if you are in the same room as your team: A team needs clear leadership. You need to motivate them to do the work you want done as if you were in the same room as them. Tone is tricky via digital platforms so make sure that you balance positive and negative feedback, otherwise, they’ll see you as nothing more than an angry email, message or Zoom chat.

General tips for anyone starting a new job remotely

Slotting into an existing team, with an already-established dynamic, can also be tricky. That dynamic, which you’re new to, was probably key to developing patterns and communication when they switched to remote working.

Here’s how to ease into things:

• Start on time: This might seem obvious, but showing up online, on time, is even more important when you’re working remotely. It helps develop trust between you, your manager and the rest of the team.
• Keep a running list of questions: No matter how much training you receive there are still going to be things that you don’t know. You will have questions, and when you do, write them down. Then ask your manager about their preferred method for answering questions. They might be happy answering things as they come up, or might prefer a meeting where they tackle everything at once. Bombarding the group chat with questions every five minutes is not ideal.
• Get to know your co-workers: You don’t have to become besties with everyone, but put some effort into finding out who they are. Take the time to reach out to them, and especially those you’ll be working with directly. Suggest a meet and greet via Zoom, and continue face-to-face video chats on a regular basis to stay connected.

You can see that starting a new job remotely can be tough, but ultimately doable with a bit of effort.

Good luck out there.

[source:lifehacker]