For people who have spent a very long time working onsite, taking up a remote job can be an entirely new story and this also means that they may need to catch up on a whole lot of “to-do”. A remote role means that you get to fulfil all of your obligations from the comfort of your home which is not an activity you are used to. While some people may find it really cool to experience such an opportunity, other people may think they would have preferred to continue working from the office. To some people, it’s not the jackpot that everyone preaches it to be. However, if you find yourself in such a position, a bulk of information should help you navigate the role.
What do you need to know about your remote role?
A remote role allows you to work from home but you need to know about the following too:
You may have to be more disciplined
Working from home comes with a lot of flexibility and it may be quite easy to get carried away. To do things the right way while you work from home, create a workspace that can help you focus better and have a productive day. There is a different feeling you get when you just sit on your bed to work because you are home and sitting by a comfortable workspace to get work done. Ensure that you do not allow leniency to set in as this could affect the quality of your work.
You need to get familiar with remote work tools
Since you now have to work remotely, you may no longer have access to your colleagues or teammates in person which is why you need to learn how to use certain tools. These tools can be Communication or collaboration tools such as Google Meet, Slack, Teams Zoom, and the like. The essence of these tools is to make sure that you match up to the same productivity as if you were in the office environment. Many organizations that use Slack/Teams as a communication tool refer to it as their office because everyone is expected to be on it and present.
You may have to take caution from overworking
Many times, people have jokingly said that ” remote workers do not have a closing time.” While this phrase may have surfaced a lot of times, the truth is that it is dependent on the remote worker. Every work has a closing period and no one expects you to work round the clock without taking any rest. It is quite easy to stay by your workspace all day but it is equally important to know when to break from work. The opportunity to work from the comfort of your home doesn’t mean you can work for as long as possible. Breaks are important and they get you ready for the next task.
Meetings may come up very frequently
You are not seeing the people you work with in person from time to time, so you might need frequent meetings to collaborate and solidify decisions. Being at the office gives you the luxury of strolling into your colleague’s office to fix one or more tasks. But, while working from home, if you need projects to work as they have been planned and designed, meetings must happen from time to time to that effect.
Know your company’s expectations about working remotely
There is a different way that your company expects you to deliver even as a remote worker and you need to know what their expectations are. How they expect you to turn in your work and when you need to sign in at work. Your company’s expectation may exceed yours which makes it paramount for you to act accordingly. The inability to align with your company’s remote policy may make you feel out of place. So, do all you can to be on the same page with them as regards what is required of you.
By far, remote opportunities are the most flexible type of job. But, it is not just about staying home to work, it is more about knowing how to use your time working from home.
