Best Practices for Working Remotely
Due to COVID-19, the world of internships and jobs has changed dramatically. With
so many advances in technology over the past decade, many employers have seen the
benefits of employing remote workers. Today, with the current pandemic, more remote
internship and job opportunities are available than ever before. In last week’s newsletter we discussed the Pros of Remote Work and Finding the Right Opportunities .
This week, we'll provide tips on ways to make your remote experience a success.
Top 7 tips for working remotely:
- Set a regular work schedule.
Creating a plan each day maintains a sense of order. Organizing your time and breaking projects into small, attainable goals will help you stay on track. Depending on the work involved, it may be possible to create a flexible work schedule during those times when you feel most productive. If team work and regularly scheduled meetings are part of your day, a regular 9 – 5 work schedule may work out be best.
- Maintain regular communications with supervisors and co-workers.
Communications are more important than ever when working remotely. It is important to discuss concerns, expectations and overall project assignments to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
- Complete assignments in a timely manner and adhere to all deadlines.
With the flexibility of working from home, it may sometimes feel easier to procrastinate or feel overwhelmed. Self-motivation is key to completing work on time. This is actually time to make yourself shine by completing projects early and even asking for additional assignments that could end up in a full-time job offer or even a promotion.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
It's important to ask questions to ensure that the expectations of the organization are being met. Once an assignment is clear, it will be much easier to move forward with confidence and your motivation will be strengthened.
- Be an enthusiastic member of the team.
Be creative, offer new ideas, and immerse yourself in the company. Keep a list of upcoming and ongoing projects to keep on target. Organizations are continually evaluating new interns and employees and it’s a great time to highlight and strengthen your skills and add to your accomplishments.
- Ask for feedback.
There’s no better way to know if you are meeting the employer’s expectations than to ask for honest feedback. Identifying personal strengths as well as weaknesses can greatly improve productivity.
7. Build relationships.
Successful careers are not just based on the work that you do, but also on the relationships you build with supervisors and co-workers. Building relationships and networking with key constituents both inside and outside of the organization can provide wonderful opportunities and help get your career off to a great start. Schedule a way to communicate with co-workers on a regular basis in order to build your network of professional contacts. Skidmore’s Career Advisor Network is also an excellent way to network with professionals in the field.
Ready to find a remote opportunity? Check out Skidmore's Resources for Finding Remote Work.