In ordinary circumstances, starting a new job can be nerve-wracking, but starting a new job in the midst of a global pandemic is a whole different ball game. A virtual interview is something I’d never done before, never mind a virtual staff Christmas party! Here I share my experience and tips for starting a new job in a pandemic.
I began working at ThreeRooms as an Account Executive in August 2020, after being unemployed for 2 months enjoying lots of Netflix and gardening projects. It’s been an experience to say the least, but a great one. So, let me tell you how it’s going…
Starting a new job in a pandemic
Meeting the team
I was definitely anxious about not feeling ‘part of the team’, with no opportunity to have a casual chat at the coffee machine or after-work drinks to break the ice, I was unsure if I’d be able to connect with everyone.
Luckily for me, our Director, Ian, suggested my first day is spent in the office with him and a couple of other team members (socially distanced, of course!) so that I could collect my laptop and go through some onboarding so I was all set to from home. Ian set up one-to-one calls with me and each member of the team so I could get to know them too.
Once the rules had relaxed, we had a few team lunches together outside the office, followed by a few virtual games nights. And just like that, I felt part of the ThreeRooms crew!
Training
Naturally, I was apprehensive about how the onboarding process would work, having to absorb tonnes of information and learn new software over video calls was pretty scary. Will I understand everything? Will I pick things up as fast as I usually would? These were just 2 of my millions of worries.
Over time this became the norm, I was surprised at how quickly I’d adjusted to learning from screen-sharing and recorded meetings. Rosie, our Senior Account Manager who carried out my training was amazing and made me feel comfortable enough to ask as many questions as I needed… and 6 months later I still do (Sorry Rosie!)
Tips
Adjusting to the ‘new normal’ has been difficult for us all, so if you’re worried about what to expect starting a new job remotely, here are 3 lessons I learned…
Think about the positives
Keep reminding yourself to be grateful that you have a job, something that so many people have spent months and months praying for. As well as the positive effects this will have on your personal development, you’ll become a more effective communicator and a pro at adapting to new situations!
Take care of yourself
‘Working from home’ can feel like ‘living at work’ at times, it can be easy to slip into bad habits like only getting dressed from the waist up (guilty) or staring at your computer until your eyes are sore. Try and switch off the same way you would when you leave the office, set a routine, take walks on your lunch breaks and most importantly, create a space where you feel relaxed.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
We’re all in the same boat, experiencing the same emotions of worry and confusion. Cliché I know, but there is no I in team, it’s all about supporting each other. For me personally, the daily team catch ups in the mornings and evenings discussing random topics or having a good moan about the state of the world has been a life saver!
Whilst this wasn’t the start I planned or hoped for when I accepted this role, it wasn’t all doom and gloom. Thank you to Ian and the rest of the team for making this entire process a breeze!
Stay safe everyone!
Want to work together? Get in touch today.
A specialist Brand Agency
An award-winning branding agency, Threerooms has spent over 15 years making brands stronger and businesses more successful. Whether modernising brands with meaning or crafting effective marketing campaigns, our amazing team is focused on delivering brand transformation while providing exceptional customer service.
