Skip to main content

How to start a new role remotely

Written by: Charlotte Rogers
Published on: 11 Nov 2022

Remote working image for engineering careers

Remote working has become increasingly popular over the last couple of years, for a number of reasons. Some people find it easier to work from home and others don’t really have much choice. It also provides employers with a larger and more diverse talent pool when hiring for a new job. If there’s no need for employees to come into the office at all or at least on a less frequent basis, their range of applicants becomes a lot bigger. So, it can be a win-win for everyone. 

However, starting a new job from home can feel odd to begin with. Especially if it’s not something you’re used to. In this article, we discuss what you can do to make working remotely on a permanent basis easier for you and your employer. 

Make sure you have suitable office space

If you are working remotely on a permanent basis, it’s a good idea to have a suitable and comfortable office environment. Whether this is at home or in an external office space, find something that works for you and allows you to work to your best ability. Remote working doesn’t necessarily mean you have to work from home every day, it can simply mean you are too far from the employer’s office space, and you have to work elsewhere. Some people find it easier to get a remote office space they can work in. But whatever suits you and your working style is best!

Do you have all the equipment you need?

When starting a new job there can be a lot of different things to consider, which can sometimes mean you forget certain things. Make sure you have everything you need to do your job. There are things the employer should provide you with. Such as:

  • Your computer / laptop
  • Any other technology you need to fulfil the needs of your role
  • Training essentials 
  • Safety equipment for working onsite & offsite (this is usually provided when you are working from the employer’s workspace)

However, there are things you’ll need to get yourself as well:

  • Notepads / pens / stationery
  • Good Wi-Fi connection so you can keep in touch
  • Your qualifications / ID scanned and ready to send over

When working remotely, you may have certain agreements with the employer. So, they may reimburse you for the things you have to provide. 


Talk to your new colleagues

Working remotely can sometimes feel very secluding for some people. It may initially feel like you are being left out of conversations or you haven’t been able to get to know people as well as you would like. If this is the case, get online and start talking! Thanks to applications like Skype, teams or zoom, you can see when your colleagues are online and have a chat whenever you feel like you need one.  

You don’t have to feel left out. If you think you could be more involved in conversations, then get involved. Make sure you are working when they are, joining meetings and being as involved as you would be if working in person. 

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

It can be easier to hide when working remotely. No one is there to see you struggling and sometimes, the easiest option can be to walk away and forget about it for a while. But likelihood is, it will be the same when you get back. It can be very easy to jump on a call with your line manager or a colleague when things aren’t going completely to plan. Talk about your worries, what you aren’t understanding, and the perk of technology means we can show them what we’re seeing. 

My point is, talk to someone! If you need them, they’ll probably be more than happy to jump on a call for anything. Even if you’re just finding it hard to adjust to a new role. Never keep anything to yourself. When you’re working remotely and on your own for the majority of the time, it can seem easier to keep it to yourself, but it’s not always the healthiest option. 

Have virtual ‘coffee sessions’

When starting a new job, there can be a lot of different people to meet and when you can’t put a face to a name, it can be hard to remember who is who! It might be a good idea to set up a few coffee sessions or mini-introductions with people that are in your team or wider team to make sure they know who you are. Also, if you need them in the future, it’s easier to message them!

Even 15 minutes to introduce yourself, your role, where you work and a bit about yourself (if you want to share) can really help form good connections within the team. It may take quite a bit of time to have introductions with everyone you feel necessary, but it can help you not only feel like a more active member of the team, but just makes it easier to work with them! Show your interest in becoming a valued member of the team. 

Be confident in yourself

It can sometimes feel very overwhelming to start a new role remotely. It can just be easier to go into the office and get to know everyone from there. But it’s not always an option for everyone. Having opportunities to work remotely full-time is really allowing people to get the roles they want! You were hired for a reason and your abilities will shine through; you just have to believe you can achieve it. Be confident, get to know people and don’t give up. If it’s your first fully remote role, it can feel impossible. But with time, practice, and patience, you can get to where you want to be. Plus, your employer will train you! So, anything you don’t know, you will!

Working remotely is an opportunity that should be available to everyone if possible, and more and more companies are opening up to this idea. So, if you don’t already but would love a remote role, take a look at employers on our site! They may just have the job you’ve been looking for.