Embracing flexible work
Now that we are working remotely more often, what is one piece of advice we could give to any recent college graduate entering the workforce?
Remote work is here to stay. Furthermore, recent research shows that flexible work will increase in 2023. The Fast Company predicts that remote work software, like mobile work tools and virtual reality conferencing, will become the preferred form of communication — even over face-to-face meetings. AI will also likely play a significant role in managing remote staff.
Albeit, flexible work is not always easy for young graduates. Particularly when you start building your connections.
Being remote can make it really hard to build your network and the types of relationships that are much more accessible when you’re in person.
My recommendation is to try to make an effort to build those relationships. It’s not easy to build a network remotely. After all, we are all humans and we are still learning this new way to socialize.
Networking is just another way to say “building relationships with people,” — and you probably already know how to do that. It’s just a matter of doing that in a new way. It can be with the people on your team, or you can start with one or two individuals. It can be with the people you work with every day. Talk to them and learn more about them as individuals. See what their job is like and what part of the business you can get more exposure to by learning from them.
When you join a new company, set up a 1:1 and get to know your colleagues and try to organize virtual happy hours. With a bit of creativity and effort (and a willingness to think outside of the box), you can build your network just as strong as in a more traditional office.
Leverage all the possibilities:
- You can join LinkedIn groups,
- Identify virtual coworking space,
- Join non-profit organizations.
I initiated a new way to connect with my network a few weeks ago. I ask them to have a morning coffee with me. It helps me to get out of my house for one hour and to meet new people! Everybody who I “cold” contacted, since I didn’t know anyone at the time, said yes to a regular coffee chat with me. That’s how I started to get to know new people!
It goes both ways! It’s not all on the new employee to figure it out. As teammates and managers, we should be attentive to new people joining the organization and try to reach out to them and say hello and offer ourselves up for help for a coffee chat or whatever you can offer at the time.
You can do it! Once you are comfortable with your strategy, the fun starts and can be powerful.
Source:
Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90267790/5-predictions-for-the-future-of-remote-working-tools
