How to succeed in a new remote job, with a startup?
May 15, 2022 10:00 AM Subscribe
Tomorrow, I start a new remote job with a startup as a data analyst. I was hoping some of you kind folks could pass along your best tips and tricks for succeeding in a new remote role, or in a successful startup environment? I've been remote for the past two years, but I had three years under my belt at my job before the switchover happened.
I'm mainly concerned about making a good first impression, making connections with my coworkers (although many, including my boss, will be remote as well), and learning the material and the culture. Thank you!
For starting in remote roles, hopefully the company will be proactive in introducing you to people, but if they're not then try to set up short meetings with all your co-workers to say hi and just get to know them a little bit like you would if you were meeting them in the office.
I'm guessing they will be using Slack/Teams or similar. Learn how they use it and be visible on there - there may well be a social or hangout channel.
If at all possible, try to meet at least some people in person or go into the office if they have one. May not be applicable of course if they are fully remote or you are thousands of miles away!
For startups, its really hard to generalise as the culture depends so much on the individuals. The main things I'd say are to be flexible - startups by definition don't have tons of people doing specialised roles. That can be good as you get to have more influence and you can potentially get to do new things just by taking something on when they need it. The flipside of that is to be aware of your boundaries - there's a difference between a company where people are excited about the prospects and willing to work hard together, and one where a small group exploit newcomers and burn them out as quickly as they can. It can be hard to tell the difference - trust your gut!
posted by crocomancer at 10:20 AM on May 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
I'm guessing they will be using Slack/Teams or similar. Learn how they use it and be visible on there - there may well be a social or hangout channel.
If at all possible, try to meet at least some people in person or go into the office if they have one. May not be applicable of course if they are fully remote or you are thousands of miles away!
For startups, its really hard to generalise as the culture depends so much on the individuals. The main things I'd say are to be flexible - startups by definition don't have tons of people doing specialised roles. That can be good as you get to have more influence and you can potentially get to do new things just by taking something on when they need it. The flipside of that is to be aware of your boundaries - there's a difference between a company where people are excited about the prospects and willing to work hard together, and one where a small group exploit newcomers and burn them out as quickly as they can. It can be hard to tell the difference - trust your gut!
posted by crocomancer at 10:20 AM on May 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
Be chatty / friendly on slack (in the right way)
If slack conversation is not going well be the fist to call for a quick 5 min chat
posted by St. Peepsburg at 3:45 PM on May 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
If slack conversation is not going well be the fist to call for a quick 5 min chat
posted by St. Peepsburg at 3:45 PM on May 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
Make sure your Zoom frame looks good! It is a huge representation of you and your organization and life approach. You want it to be bright and tidy, camera at eye level, something nice in the background, and at least one plant or painting. Invest thought, time, and money into making your Zoom look good and represent you, just as you would wear appropriate clothing that represents you for office work.
Always be the first one to sign into zoom meeting, so you can use that extra couple minutes to chitchat with others.
Make your Zoom "camera off" screen photo of you smiling gently (mine is actually a webcam selfie of me that I took during another zoom just for this purpose). It means that when my camera is off, it still feels like I'm in the zoom, in my home office, looking work-appropriate and smiling gently - not just a black screen or a photo of me from some other context.
In general, keep your zoom camera on, and choose video calls rather than voice calls or emails. Even though video is exhausting, it really does build intimacy and connection.
Choose who you want to be friends with, and, early on, ask if you can quickly call them when you have a question. Within 24 hours, text them to say thanks with a little joke. Now you've broken the ice and you can occasionally text them a meme, or text hi during a big group zoom meeting. That jump in intimacy from email to text is huge in helping you feel connected to others.
If you have a pet or baby or something cute / interesting at your home, show it on Zoom once in a while (during low-stakes meetings) to help build joy and smiles and good feelings.
If your boss is super busy, make sure your emails are efficient - break emails into headings, keep it short, end with a "NEXT ACTIONS" section, and write the subject line last to ensure it's concise and useful.
Send a short email periodically (weekly, biweekly, or monthly) with a summary of your projects, like this. Helps boss realize what a great worker you are, and Boss may want to shift your priorities so this helps them see what you're doing.
Working on:
- Deck - waiting on copy revisions from Marketing
- Budget - waiting on supplier quotes
Completed:
- Contract with Ducks Incorporated is signed, & work has started
Questions & Next Actions for Boss:
1. Would you like me to do A or B?
2. Can you sign the new contract, PDF attached
My remote boss HATES email so I got their phone number and for quick stuff I just text instead. I also send emails for a paper trail but in my texts I'll say "I sent an email about this but breifly, just need to know, Is the thing approved?" Then I reply to that thread "documenting that Thing was approved over text today".
Minimizing email for overloaded people is a good tip. In a real office, dropping by for a quick chat can FILL the social bank with good feelings, but email only DEPLETES that bank. Emails NEVER feel good. They just feel like work. So try not to send too many.
If you can ever send an email that feels good, send it! Client feedback, compliments, etc - try to fill the bank of goodwill whenever you can.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 10:15 AM on May 15, 2022 [10 favorites]