4 Tips For Making a Good First Impression When You Start Your First Job Remotely

Traditionally, making a good first impression during your first job meant dressing appropriately, showing up to the workplace on time, and demonstrating your work ethic early on. But as more jobs transfer to a remote setting, there’s a good chance that your first job could also be an entirely remote one for the foreseeable future. Making a good first impression is just as important in this case, but it comes with some challenges, too. When you start your first remote job, there are several things to consider on your first day and the weeks following. 

Practice and Test Your Technology Ahead of Time

Your first day at your first job is going to be stressful, and discovering that your laptop’s camera isn’t working or that your internet connection is strong enough will only add to that stress. While technological challenges come with the territory when you work remotely, test and troubleshoot all of your equipment ahead of time to minimize the chances of something going wrong. Your new employer may supply you with some or all of the equipment you need, but be sure to ask questions so that you can get yourself set up correctly from the start. Find out which types of programs you’ll be using daily so you can download and practice using these programs. 

Take some time to test out your video conferencing, too. Enlist a friend to speak with you during the calls so you can perfect the lighting, your background, and find appropriate camera angles. Use this time to familiarize yourself with all of the features of the program that you’re using, including how to mute yourself, share your screen, and turn off the video function. 

You may also want to consider upgrading your wi-fi plan, especially if you experience slow speeds or lagging during your test video calls. If you’re sharing a space with others who are now working from home, you may need higher speeds to support the increased usage. 

Even with all of your preparation, technical issues will occur, so put a plan in place now. Take initiative and ask your employer about available technical support in case you do run into issues. You’ll want to come up with a backup plan in case the internet goes down in your home, like ensuring you can use your phone as a hotspot. 

Create a Distraction-Free Workplace

While you may be working from home, taking the time to create a professional, distraction-free workplace can help you to make an initial good impression. Establish a space in your home that’s dedicated just to your work. Ideally, this should be a space in a room where you can close the door when you’re working, keeping distractions like pets and roommates out during your work hours. Even if you need to work in your bedroom, set aside a designated area and create a professional background for video calls. 

Now is the time to make your home conducive to working. Talk with roommates and family and establish a signal that will help them understand when you’re working, such as having the door to your room closed. Discuss your work boundaries and in which situations interruptions are acceptable. If you have pets, start getting them used to being in a different room and spending time away from you during the day. Some pets will take to this transition more easily than others, so start ahead of time so you know how your pets will react before your first day. 

Your cell phone is another potential distraction, so get in the habit of putting it on silent while you work, unless you use it for your job. Turning off push notifications for social media apps can also help. Creating a dedicated, distraction-free workplace will help you to make a positive impression during conference calls, and it will also help you to do your best work. 

Focus on Active Communication

Communicating with your supervisor and with your coworkers can be one of the more challenging aspects of working remotely, but it can also give you a chance to shine. Because you’re not able to check in with others in person, you need to be more deliberate about using technology to check in and stay connected. Be active with your communication, including asking questions and participating in group chats or conversations. Try to speak up during every conference or video call to demonstrate that you’re engaged and invested in the discussion.  

If your employer regularly uses collaboration and communication tools like Slack or Trello, take some time to familiarize yourself with them so you can get the best benefits from them. Most programs have introductions that guide you through basic functions, though there are also plenty of guides and tips available online and on YouTube. 

When you’re working, focus on responding to emails, text messages, and phone calls promptly, even if it’s just to acknowledge their receipt while you get the information you need to provide a more detailed response. Prompt, active communication can show employers that you’re engaged and that you take your work seriously. 

Set a Schedule and Stick to It

You can make a good impression by following your work schedule and being both available and focused during work hours. Just like it’s essential to arrive at work on time, you’ll need to make sure that you’re at your desk and logged in for work at your scheduled start time – even if you only have to commute from your bed to your desk. While working remotely sometimes comes with some scheduling flexibility, you’ll need to be fully committed to your work hours – turn off the TV and log out of social media. Get dressed for work as part of your daily schedule, too. It will help to avoid awkward situations if you unexpectedly have to hop on a conference call and is a great way to mentally prepare yourself to start work each day. 

Be sure to ask your employer about any messaging apps or inter-office calendars they use to share your work availability, and then use these resources daily. In addition to your set schedule, maintain your own personal calendar to track your long-term deadlines. These habits can help you to get used to your work schedule and can make you more productive, too. 

Making a good first impression when you’re working remotely requires some deliberate actions, but it’s well worth the effort. By taking these steps in your approach to your work, you can demonstrate your dedication and drive to your employer, even from a distance.