Even as workplaces open up, many employers are seeing the benefits of a virtual workforce and a large number of new jobs may very well be remote positions. How can you make your mark, though, when you don’t have regular personal contact with your boss or your
co-workers? The Make It website tells you how:

• Set up your space. Take a look around the room where you do your work. What does it say about you? People who see you in virtual meetings will notice the pictures on your wall, the books on your shelves, the clutter on your desk, and more. Clean up before your first day to ensure you show a neat, professional profile.

• Communicate with your manager. During the first few days and weeks, make a point of communicating with your manager often. Don’t bug him or her, but talk
in depth about your role, the manager’s expectations, how you’ll be evaluated, and other crucial elements of doing your job well. Learn his or her priorities and get a solid idea of the organization’s big-picture goals.

• Learn how to communicate with everyone. You can’t peek over a cubicle or stroll down the hall to talk with a co-worker or manager, so you have to know how best to contact them. Does your boss prefer phone calls or emails? Are team meetings held via Zoom? How quickly do people expect responses to emails or texts? Figure out the best way to communicate with each person on your team to avoid misunderstandings.

• Get to know people. Your boss probably can’t take you to lunch on your first day to know your new team, so you’ve got to take a different approach. Reach out to team members one-by-one to introduce yourself and find out what makes them tick.

• Understand the pandemic’s impact on your organization. Chances are your employer has been through some big changes in the past year– layoffs, new products, shifting priorities, adjusting to remote work, and many other issues. As you talk to people, find out what’s changed and what has stayed intact. This will give you a good idea of the organization’s values and priorities.