As the newest member of the Inclusive Consulting team, I am in the strange situation of working for a company that I’ve never been to the office of.
At face value, starting a new job in the middle of a global pandemic might sound ludicrous. But for many of us, 2020 has made us assess our careers and really think about our priorities and career goals. This was certainly my experience and is why I eventually took the plunge and started my new position with Inclusive.
Here’s my own experience of onboarding remotely. Including the application and interview process, so that if you now find yourself wanting to make your next move, you can gain some insight and know what to expect.
The Remote Application Process
Like many of us, I was under the misconception that the pandemic would mean that companies would not be hiring. However, a recent CareerPlug survey found that almost 40% of companies’ hiring goals have not changed at all during the pandemic, and that 20% reported that their hiring activity has actually increased.
I quickly learnt that it is how companies are searching for new people that has adapted. With so many new external stressors, a streamlined hiring process is now more favourable than ever. My advice: speak with your recruiter. As well as them being the most ‘in-the-know’ people when it comes to new positions, they can offer you unparalleled advice on your search and guide you through the entire journey. You don’t have to go it alone.
I was lucky enough that my recruiter, Emma, also happened to be my future manager. Emma’s wealth of knowledge and experience not only put me at ease about the prospect of starting a new role, she also made the whole process astonishingly straightforward; normal, almost.
Top Tip: Have an honest discussion with your recruiter about exactly what you want. Any good recruiter will help you consider everything from your day-to-day duties, to flexible working arrangements, to your longer-term goals.
The Remote Interview Process
We’re now all too familiar with the world of video calling, and this is most likely how your interviews will take place. Treat the video calls as you would face-to-face interviews. The only difference is that the person in front of you is pixelated.
I’d worked with Emma before, and I’ll admit that this made the initial video interview less awkward. But even the subsequent interviews with other Inclusive directors were just as simple. Video calling will always be a little awkward, but I quickly learnt that the best thing to do is smile, maintain eye-contact, and – most importantly – focus on the conversation.
Onboarding Remotely
Without a doubt, I fretted over this the most. How will I get to know my colleagues and feel part of the team? What do I do if I have a question? How will I know if I’m doing things right? If there’s one thing you can learn from my experience, it’s to relax. Onboarding remotely certainly requires us to adapt, but it also has some unexpected benefits.
My induction was completed via video and Emma was always on-hand to answer any questions I had, no matter how trivial I thought they were. Emma regularly checked-in on how I was settling in and to see if there was anything I needed. The whole team at Inclusive welcomed me and made me feel as if I had spent my first day in the office with them all.
There are also several benefits to onboarding remotely:
- I’ve established a greater level of understanding between me and the team. Everyone trusts each other to get their work done and to communicate with each other regularly
- I can work and learn on my own terms. I have more flexibility with how I work, enabling me to be more efficient with my workload
- There’s no commute! Undoubtedly the most noticeable benefit to remote working is that I now have an extra free hour every day that I would normally spend in the car
Top Tip: Your employer should provide a clear point of contact for you. If this isn’t made clear to you then ask who you should contact should you have any queries.
I am still excited for the day when I can finally visit the Inclusive office and meet my colleagues face-to-face. But for now, I can honestly say that I am so glad not to have let the pandemic halt my career progress. Don’t let it stop you either!