Finding Success as a Remote Worker

Written by Chelsea Schroeder, Transition Specialist for Hire Heroes USA

Over the last two years, some of the most frequent comments I hear from clients are: “I really want a remote job,” or “I think remote work is the best option for my career.”

Along with many other professionals around the world, my work environment changed drastically in March of 2020. I went from making a 20-minute commute, working in an office and collaborating with my coworkers daily to working remotely from home with a single day’s notice.

Now that I am in a permanently remote position, I have learned some things along that way that set me up for success in this environment.

Here are three key tips on how to make a seamless switch to remote work:

1. Set the scene

 I started my first day as a remote worker opening my laptop and kicking my feet up on the couch. I quickly realized that this was the perfect set up for distraction! The temptation to turn on the TV, grab a snack from the kitchen or give in to my dog’s attempts for a game of fetch was high. My home did have an office that was primarily used for my husband’s military awards, certificates and both of our college diplomas, but it definitely wasn’t my idea of an inviting setting.

With an unknown timeline of how long I would be working remotely, I dedicated my time to upgrading the desk, chair, adding some decor and setting up an additional computer monitor.

While a full office makeover isn’t necessary, creating a designated work area made a big difference in setting the tone for a comfortable and organized workday in a space that felt like “my own.” 

2. Create a schedule

When I was working in an office, the day was fairly structured from the time I arrived until the time I packed up to drive home.  I found that I had created a routine for myself in the office, but the comfort of home left me thinking of all the laundry piling up in the next room or what items I needed from the grocery store throughout the day.

I decided to get a planner to write down deadlines, meetings and appointments to help keep me on track at home. I also maintained the same working hours that I had at the office. While I no longer had to factor in a commute, I built in time at the end of the day to use that extra 20 minutes to run an errand or fold that laundry.

Make sure to schedule in short breaks and lunch throughout your day!

3. Develop new habits

I became more efficient at my job through some reorganization of my habits once I had the newfound independence of working from home. I’m the type of person who will read an email as soon as my Gmail lets me know I have a new message. It quickly got overwhelming and the half-written emails started stacking up whenever I would be interrupted by a phone call or meeting.

To fix this, I created a new system for myself: If an email cannot be responded to right away, I mark it as unread and circle back to it once I have enough time to address it. If it needs additional information, requires a lengthy response, or includes another colleague, I’ll start a draft email as a reminder that I’ll need to put more time into it and I can carve out opportunities to reply. This solution prevented emails from getting sidetracked and helped me prioritize time in my workday.

Remember, everyone’s work flow and habits will vary, but your skills and strengths landed you the position, so now it’s time to shine as a remote worker! 

Chelsea Schroeder is a Transition Specialist with the Serving Spouses Team at Hire Heroes USA. She is married to her husband who is currently Active Duty in the United States Space Force. As a Military Spouse, she has a direct understanding of the unique challenges Military Spouses face and as a former client of Hire Heroes USA, has firsthand experience with their mission. She received her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and worked in academic and behavioral health settings before joining Hire Heroes USA in 2019 where she has helped over 390 Veterans and Military Spouses find meaningful employment.

*For more articles on resume and career advice, visit https://www.hireheroesusa.org  or check out one of HHUSA’s earlier posts about remote work, https://armywifenetwork.com/3-tips-to-help-you-find-remote-work/