When you start a new job, it’s always important to make a great first impression. How your new colleagues see you initially is often how they will perceive you moving forward. If you are joining a new company in a remote role, you might be wondering how to start your job on the right foot. Without a getting-to-know-you team lunch and an office walk-though with introductions, you may feel uncertain about how to make a solid impression on your first day.

Kate Bratskeir, a writer for The Muse, says that although starting a new job remotely can feel scary, you can still make a great impression behind a screen. In this issue of Promotional Consultant Today, we share Bratskeir’s best tips for starting a remote job.

1. Get to know the company culture. When you log on to various meetings on your first day and first week, pay attention to how others behave in group settings. Does it seem like everyone feels comfortable speaking up, or do people share ideas only when they are asked? Do people tend to interrupt each other on Zoom? You can also get a feel for company culture by browsing Slack channels or group emails.

2. Make room for conversation. Oftentimes, virtual calls feel transactional. Once attendees discuss the topic at hand, everyone signs off. You can help get to know your new colleagues and start building trust right away by requesting quick video meetings with no formal agenda. The idea is simply to say hello and put a face to a name. By making them quick—no longer than 10 minutes—you take the pressure off the other person. They don’t need to block off a huge part of their day to visit with you.

3. Respect your new colleagues’ boundaries. As the new person on the team, you will probably be eager to meet as many people as possible. However, not everyone wants to chat one-on-one over Zoom. Keep in mind that some may want to message via Slack or talk over the phone instead. When you stay mindful about how your coworkers prefer to communicate, you show that you are perceptive and considerate.

4. Let your colleagues know you’re listening. When you start a new job remotely, you can help build new relationships immediately by listening to what your colleagues have to say. For example, rather than saying, “It was great to meet you!” after a meeting, try saying, “I was so excited about what you mentioned today! I’d love to hear more about how you came up with that.” The other person will likely be more than happy to share their thoughts with you, and you come across as authentic in your conversations. Just don’t overdo it with this approach—make sure you only ask for more details if you are truly interested about something. Otherwise, you can lose credibility among your new teammates.

5. Find the connectors. Every company has someone who seems to know just about everyone else very well. When you’re the new one, it helps to find those connectors. You can start by asking your new boss who you should get to know well and then work on building a relationship with that person.

While it can be intimidating joining a new team from a distance, remember that you were hired for a reason. Your new boss sees value in what you will contribute, and with some thoughtful effort, you can help your new colleagues see what you bring to the team, too.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers

Source: Kate Bratskeir is a journalist who writes often about the environment, food, health and psychology. Her work has appeared in Fast Company, HuffPost, Health, and more.