The world of virtual work is here to stay. Most workers, around 80%, who don’t do “hands-on” jobs have adapted to a fully, or partially, remote work environment.
But what does that mean for HR professionals, recruiters, and employees?
The bottom line is that you need to stay connected to your teammates regardless of your role.
Staying connected to a virtual team can seem challenging at first, but it’s easier than you might think. The experts at Forbes had some great high-level thoughts in a recent article:
“HR leaders need to get creative to help their teams maintain and build connections while working remotely, especially if you have new hires. Design opportunities to step out of the day-to-day grind of work to discover a more personal side of colleagues.”
Let’s talk about how you can put that into practice and improve your remote work experience. Here are a few simple suggestions.
Get together for a happy hour—virtual or remote—and get to know each other personally.
This is one of the tried-and-true ways that workers have always gotten to know each other better. Virtual happy hours are a thing now. They can be fun and personally rewarding.
You can forge workplace friendships and collegial relationships for a lifetime, and some after-work socializing can be a great place to start.
Getting together on a video call with your teammates can be an excellent way to connect, have some fun, and enjoy your favorite beverage with your colleagues. No one has to worry about driving home since they’re already there!
Get to know each other better professionally with one-on-ones.
Maybe you can’t walk down the hall and talk to one of your coworkers, ask them a question, etc. But you can jump on a video call with them and do a screen share. Remember, all of your teammates have different roles, responsibilities, reporting structures, deadlines, etc.
Get to know what your team members are up to. Ask them questions and share your experiences. People typically love to share what they’re doing with their colleagues, so give them the opportunity.
Building trust and respect is critical to having a cohesive team. One-on-one sessions are a great way to build that mutual trust.
Change your work environment if it’s not right for you.
Are you happy with your work environment? If not, change it! Ask your boss if they can accommodate your choice for remote, in-office, or hybrid work. If your company has policies that don’t work for you, it may be time for a change of scenery. A great recruiter can help you get started.
Are you a candidate looking for your next awesome job opportunity?
At 619 Recruiting, we help clients just like you find their dream job every day! We might just have a great employer looking for a great candidate like you right now. Our team will help you find employment opportunities that align with your skills, experience, short-term employment goals, and long-term career objectives. Call us today at (866) TEAM 619, or get in touch online.
