Adapting as a New Hire During the Era of COVID-19

My first day with Arc Aspicio was just a couple of weeks after the World Health Organization declared a pandemic for COVID-19. This crisis forced the Office of Professional Management (OPM) to announce the shift to telework for all eligible employees until further notice, and local and national leaders in the DMV area issued stay at home orders. These safety measures resulted in my first day at the desk in my bedroom.

Joining a new company can be a daunting task for anyone and replacing traditional in-person on boarding and initial interactions with virtual ones can be even more unnerving. New hires can find ways to be proactive and take advantage of the unique opportunities offered in a completely remote work environment by considering these steps:

• Tap into the inquisitive/learner spirit – One of the easiest ways to virtually connect with your new coworkers is to send a message saying, “could you tell me more about [insert thought-provoking company/project initiative here]?” Using Microsoft Teams or another instant messaging tool to ask questions allowed me to further discover more about my organization and initiatives, and open the door for me to get to know my coworkers and vice versa

• Use your time – The first few weeks at a new job can consist of unscheduled time as you are added into meetings and introduced to clients and begin your work. Spend time exploring project files, relevant websites, and company policies. This provides a more in-depth understanding of policies, processes, and procedures that can help a new joiner make meaningful contributions in both internal and client work, and prepare you for when the workload starts to pick up

• Be open and flexible – This environment is new for everyone, and there are innovative ways of maintaining productivity, company culture, and relationships. Be open to trying new initiatives such as “virtual kickball” competitions that test your “pitch” abilities rather than “kick” abilities. These exercises will allow you to learn a new skill that is relevant to your project work and build relationships with colleagues. Recognizing that this is new territory for everyone and being willing to give new initiatives a try not only contributes to and improves company innovations but allows for participation in unique and stimulating environments for relationship building

Organizations can assist in enhancing these efforts by providing spaces for new employees to gain a deeper understanding of the company culture and mission and form bonds with the many faces that represent and implement it. Going beyond a company-wide introductory email with initiatives such as hosting topic-focused online happy hours, encouraging seasoned employees from different projects to set up one-on-one virtual coffee breaks, and signing new employees up to participate in a company-wide contest ensure that an inclusive atmosphere is present despite the virtual environment, thus allowing new employees to immerse themselves in their new company culture.

Overall, increased telework has provided a unique time, and more importantly, an advantageous opportunity to be creative and innovative, even as a new employee.