Since we’re still in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, many continue to adjust to the new working environment. Working from home or anywhere else in the world may give you a sense of freedom but it comes with its fair share of challenges too.

The freedom to wear your pyjamas all day is both convenient and comfortable. The problem is that distractions abound and they become hard to endure. From children screaming for snacks to pets fighting for your attention, there’s always something to deal with.

Working with a remote team

In this modern age of globalisation, it’s common for companies to have a presence in different countries. This has resulted in the increased need for remote collaboration. You’ll likely be working with counterparts who’re located elsewhere so you have to learn how to work together virtually.

Learning to collaborate remotely

This means knowing how to engage with a team from across the globe. Gone are the days when you need to work in the same physical office as your superiors and colleagues—working together is now done anywhere. It removes distance limitations through various methods and tools.

When you’re new to the scene, working online already feels like a huge hurdle. Things get more complicated when you add collaboration to the equation. To make your transition into remote work easier for you and your team mates, consider the following tips:

1 – Celebrate your new remote role

Landing a new job, even in a traditional sense, takes much time and effort. It’s a very good reason to celebrate, especially if you’re coming off a long search. You might feel nervous as you may be entering an unfamiliar industry or returning to a field that you haven’t done in a while.

Don’t let impostor syndrome get the best of you and cause you to doubt your ability to succeed in your new role. List down the things you know you do best and display it in your workstation so you’re reminded of your strengths along with areas in need of improvement.

2 – Set up a physical workspace

It doesn’t mean that you have to rent a spot in a co-working space, but it does help to have a designated workstation at home. If you have an existing setup, refresh it with a new plant or piece of art. Maybe repaint your desk or buy a more ergonomic one.

Something as simple as this will help you psychologically. It allows you to look at your position with new eyes, like “OK, I’m now working for a different company with a new set of people”. Even if you’re working in the same house or room, you’ll see that a workstation refresh gives it a new feel.

3 – Establish communication standards

In a remote work setting, communicating with your colleagues digitally becomes even more important. As you get to know your team mates, ask them what would be the best way to communicate with them. Know their preferred method, time of day, and frequency of getting in touch from the get-go.

You might have to revisit these conversations later on. Keep in mind that written text is more prone for misinterpretation than other modes of communication. Just remember that it’s not personal but more likely just lacking information or a prior working relationship with the person.

4 – Speak in-depth with your manager

During your first week in your new role, ask your supervisor if you may have an in-depth conversation about their expectations for you. Find out what they hope you will accomplish during the first six months to a year of you being in the position you were hired for.

If the organisation has experienced challenges over the course of the pandemic, it’s all the more important to ask big-picture questions like these. For instance, if your boss says they’re prioritising online operations, you might provide solutions of how your skills will help the team meet the new goals.

5 – Get to know your team mates

Since you can’t run into them by the water cooler or in the pantry, it’s harder to get to know your colleagues in a remote work setting. We suggest that you dedicate at least 30 minutes each week to just get connected with the people in your team and in associated departments.

As you get to know more people in the company, ask them if they believe there’s someone else you should know within the first few months. They may arrange for an introduction to the said person or provide you with the necessary contact details.

6 – Know the effects of the pandemic

If you’re joining an organisation that’s experienced personal losses or budget cuts from the virus, understand that team morale won’t be high. Realise that low spirits isn’t because they’re not happy with you joining. Show compassion for the people who have had to make major adjustments in their life due to the pandemic.

Talk to your boss on how changes in the organisation will affect your responsibilities. Get information about what’s happening in the company from reliable sources rather than the rumour mill. Your hiring might bring a fresh perspective to the business in these trying times so don’t limit your creativity either.

7 – Build strong foundations for relationships

Scheduled interactions can’t build the same level of rapport as in-person interactions. Make up for this by asking your team mates how they’re doing in their personal lives without overstepping your boundaries. For instance, find out if they have kids or if this is their first remote job too.

By expressing an interest in their personal lives, you build a more relational connection rather than a business-like one. This also helps with the team dynamic since it’s easier for everyone to understand the reasoning behind communication or schedule preferences, e.g. a mother preferring mornings to spend time with their infant in the evenings.

8 – Realise there’s a learning curve

Remember that this is an entirely different working environment to the one you’re used to. Hence, cut yourself some slack if you make mistakes with the communication and the like. It’s normal to feel unsure or disjointed when you’re entering a new job during a pandemic.

Take the first few months in the role to ask as many questions about the company, the project, the team, and so on. Give yourself a year to really settle in the position before you decide whether the role is for you or not. Take every opportunity to learn the company culture when you’re new.

Where to work with a remote team

Connecting with team members over the internet takes some getting used to. As you must have realised from above, it’s not impossible to work with a virtual team though. It takes time and effort but starts with the opportunity to work remotely.

If you’re wondering where you have a chance to work with a remote team, we at Remote Workmate can be of service. We’re connected to employers from all over the world and provide online professionals with many opportunities to work from home.