Navigating the New World of Work

Remote working is not just a phase, but a necessary reality now. As such, it is important to be aware of how to manage the challenges of working from home to ensure the best possible start to your career.

The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic has led to more businesses adopting telecommuting and remote working. If you are just new to the job market, chances are this will be the arrangement you will find yourself in.

On paper, getting to work from home sounds like a dream — no need to deal with dress codes, avoiding crowded commutes and having a flexible work schedule. But in reality, remote working comes with its own set of challenges. From staying motivated, knowing when to unplug and technology hiccups, these can and will impact your productivity if you do not tackle them quickly.

Worried about what to do? Here are some tips that should help make your transition a little easier.

Be selfmotivated and disciplined

Be inquisitive Be resourceful

Learn to work independently and without too much prompting from your supervisors. You can start by effectively managing your time and making sure that you adhere to deadlines and meeting times. Keep track of your progress by jotting it down — these notes will serve as a reminder in case you forget anything.

Speak with your supervisor on how best they would like to receive updates from you, and be sure to follow through accordingly. If they prefer getting emails, consider preparing weekly reports that you can send at the end of each week. If they prefer video calls, come to those meetings prepared with notes, questions and potential ideas. Do some pre-reading and research on the company, and familiarise yourself with where things are, from the location of the online library to how some standard procedures work. Remember that if you are not sure about where anything is, just ask your co-workers or supervisors — no one expects you to know everything from the get-go, but be sure to remember once they tell you!

Be proactive Talk to people

Do you have any doubts or concerns? Be sure to clarify with your supervisor before the next meeting. Ask for regular feedback on your performance and make adjustments accordingly. Consider setting up a system so that you know who and when you can refer your inquiries to.

Remember that in the workplace, you should be the one to take control of your learning! Get feedback from your supervisor and colleagues on how you are doing, and what you can work on. Whether with others or on your own, prepare yourself to learn something new every day. Getting to know people in the workplace will not only make you feel like you are part of the company, but is vital to professional success. After all, a good quality network can pave the way for new opportunities for you. For starters, you can consider your supervisor as a mentor and get to know them personally. Learn as much as you can from them, but also about them, such as how they chose this career. The same can be said for your colleagues as well — take part in lunches with them and chat with them whenever you can.

Even if you are shy, you should not just stay in your own bubble either. Meet up with colleagues who started out at the same time as you, or ask your supervisor for some introductions to people from other departments who might share the same interests as you. In some companies, especially multinational ones, you might find yourself interacting with people from not just different departments, but from different countries as well. With this in mind, be conscientious of how you speak to others from different cultures and races. Even if it is not face-to-face, take the effort to know them — you might be able to gain some cross-cultural perspectives from them. Be an active participant in discussions, or even request to attend departmental meetings to get a better feel for the meeting culture.