Starting a new job in lockdown

Let’s be honest, starting a new job now is not ideal. Businesses are in trouble and you’ll be thrown into an atmosphere of crisis. It’s wise to acknowledge that, reframe your expectations and prepare for it.

Be aware of the finer details. As most people will be working remotely, you’ve got a small number of pixels to make an impression. So think about your facial expressions and the backdrop of your video call [also see Digital etiquette, right].

Be transparent about your challenges and don’t be afraid to ask the obvious questions. After all, you can’t pass by someone’s desk. Better to ask for clarity rather than muddling through based on your intuition.

It will be difficult to work out the company’s culture remotely so find a couple of trusted voices. Contact people who sound interesting and drop them a line. It’s about trying to replicate that casual watercooler chat and help everything feel more normal.