The “New Normal:” Position Yourself for Success in a Post-Pandemic, Virtual Workforce

Social Distancing.  Self-quarantine.  The “new normal.”  Chances are, we have heard these phrases over and over, and they have now become part of our everyday vocabulary.  Many of us are eager to return to some sense of pre-pandemic ‘normalcy.’  The pandemic has affected all of us in one way or another, including the way we work.  With telework becoming the norm for many of us over the past several months, we’ve had to adjust given the current environment.  Will we ever see a full return to the pre-pandemic workforce?  The future is unclear, but regardless of whether you prefer to work remotely or in a more traditional office setting, it is crucial to set yourself up for success in a virtual world.

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Why Wouldn’t I Want to Work from Home?!

Undoubtedly there are clear benefits to working remotely, as you have inevitably discovered if you have engaged in telework for any part of your career.   It is easy to see why many employees may be reluctant to return to a more traditional office setting in a post-pandemic world, with benefits such as:

• Time and cost savings due to lack of a daily commute
• More autonomy for employees, including the potential for a more flexible work schedule and a more personalized workspace
• Increased time at home with family Increased job satisfaction and productivity, according to a recent study by the American Psychological Association
• Cost savings for employers as well, due to reduced office and supply expenses ‍

‍So, What’s the Catch?

As in any scenario where there are benefits, there are also costs.  Working from home offers many perks for employees and employers alike, but there are also drawbacks.  Whether the past few months have been your first introduction to remote work or you have been successfully teleworking for years, it is important to think about and execute your own solutions to the disadvantages:  

• Decreased opportunity for communication and interpersonal interaction with team members
• Feelings of isolation or lack of integration with the team, especially for new team members
• Decreased visibility by senior leadership within the organization, which may present difficulties in receiving promotions or growth opportunities
• Less work/life balance, as it can be easy to work late into the evening when your home doubles as your office, making it more difficult to “unplug” at the end of the workday
• Potential for increased distractions that would not be present in an office setting (pets, kids, spouse, etc.)

What Does This Mean for Me?

Whether you plan to work remotely for just the next few months or for the long-term, it is crucial to position yourself for success in the transition into a largely virtual workforce.  To ensure utmost productivity and success while working from home, there a variety of strategies that can help.

• Many of us were thrown into remote work overnight, assuming it would be short-term and temporary.  If you didn’t (or couldn’t) take the time to adjust to the transition—now is a good time to reassess how to make the most of  this new and unique situation
• Take scheduled breaks for lunch, stretching, or a walk
• Set a routine to start your day, including dressing and grooming in a professional manner, as you would for the office
• Set “in office” hours to ensure that you are not logging hours late into the evening—work/life balance is just as important when working from home
• If possible, designate a home office or workspace to create a physical separation between your work life and home life
• Communication is crucial, now more than ever!  Establish a plan with your manager, teammates, or direct reports to determine how often to check in with each other
• Create a platform for sharing documents, such as Google Docs, Microsoft Teams, or Dropbox, to ensure that everyone has access to the latest version of a file
• If virtually interviewing for a new role, be sure to dress professionally as you would for an in-person interview, and test out your video chat system to ensure no technical issues
• Keep the “water cooler” chat—building and maintaining a personal rapport with your teammates is critical in boosting moral and staying connected, even from a distance.  Instant messaging or video chatting are great ways to stay in touch.

Moving Forward

The current environment has impacted the way we live and work in drastic ways – and for many of us working remote will be our “new normal” for the foreseeable future.  While we will surely get through these challenging times, it is important to understand the long-term changes that may take effect.  Whether you are a job seeker or an employee still adjusting to a new virtual work environment, it is critical to position yourself for success.   We would love to hear of any additional tips that have helped you adjust to the new “normal!”

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