By Melissa Perri · melissaperri.com · @lissijean on X · LinkedIn
The author, who onboarded fully remotely at Produx Labs during the COVID-19 pandemic, argues that starting a job virtually is daunting but has real upsides. Remote hiring signals the company values the role, offers flexibility, and gives the company experience with remote work. Companies are often willing to co-design an onboarding experience, and culture still comes through. The piece offers practical dos and don'ts for working from home, handling awkward silences, and proving yourself through outcomes rather than visible busyness. It matters because many new hires face this situation and need a practical, optimistic playbook.
01Key takeaways
- Treat your remote hire as proof the company values your skills and role.
- Ask for resources and asynchronous learning materials, especially in week one.
- Schedule real breaks, change locations, and get outside to protect your energy.
- Save questions for live video check-ins where you can ask follow-ups and build relationships.
- Measure your early contribution by outcomes and team impact, not by visible activity or reports.
02Key sections
- The positive side of remote onboarding
- Being hired during a downturn signals real value, remote setups offer flexibility, and the company's remote processes are already tested. Employers are open to co-creating your onboarding.
- Practical dos and don'ts
- Use asynchronous learning materials, take real breaks, vary your workspace, and get outside. Share something of your home life, and keep questions for live calls rather than chat.
- Handling awkward pauses
- Use saved questions to fill silences, ask about shifting priorities, and find out where you can add value. Quiet moments in one-on-ones are also a chance to know colleagues personally.
- Proving yourself remotely
- Visibility is not the same as impact. Focus on outcomes and on becoming a better teammate rather than producing status documents to show effort.
03From the post
“Remote onboarding completely changes your first month experience. You have no natural way to meet coworkers. There are no first week outings or get-to-know-you coffee chats. Most of your video call interactions are with your direct superior. While all of this makes it particularly nerve-wracking to start a new job virtually, I promise there are also wonderful aspects about your…”
Summary and takeaways written by PM Atlas; quotes are short excerpts. © the original author.