Whether it’s in the midst of a global pandemic, or just with the goal of maintaining a better work-life balance, if you find yourself working from home, the rules are generally the same across the board. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of tips and advice to keep you as productive as possible and keep your workflow moving.
If your office job is 9am - 6pm with an hour for lunch, then maintain those hours as best you possibly can. Even if your boss is easy going, and just happy to receive your work by a given deadline, these hours are in place to benefit you. There’s nothing worse than falling down the slippery slope, the end of which involves you spending all day playing Call of Duty, then finishing off your workload at 11pm each night. Discipline across the board is key - and that goes for creating boundaries too. Just because you’re working from home, doesn’t mean you’re available to help out with that pitch at any given time of the day.
When it comes to working from home, it’s not as simple as the stock photos might have you believe - especially for parents who might face regular interruptions and demands. The key to maintaining best work practices is creating discipline and structure and that goes double for your desktop. If you’re tempted to open random tabs in your browser, find the right app or plug-in to block them. Also, creating a new login to your computer so you can access and manage your work files with ease is important. This is also where that dedicated space will come into play - but more on that later.
Maintaining good work relationships is essential, perhaps not always for getting the job done - that all depends on the task at hand - but certainly when it comes to communication within a team. Carve out time to check in with your co-workers; find time for a post-meeting chat or even a digital drinks session if you can’t be there in person. It’s a great way of gaining more insight into the workings of the business, and how you can best contribute - as well as paves the way for maintaining your sanity when times get busy or tough!
Working from home can restrict your daily movement considerably, which can in turn affect your mood and energy levels. Even if you have a stationary desk job, don’t underestimate those extra steps you’ll have accrued walking to the bus stop or going to the local shop to pick up your lunch. Take your breaks as scheduled and spend them away from your desk, incorporating some movement if possible. Don’t underestimate the toll that sitting in one place and staring at a screen can have on your body.
When it comes to online meetings, professionalism and courtesy is vital. Even in a larger group conference call, it’s not the done thing to munch on a bowl of cheerios while carrying on a conversation with your partner when your colleague is talking. If this is a meeting that really doesn’t apply to you, don’t be afraid to flag this, and just follow up with the minutes/highlights afterwards. If this is something that you absolutely have to be involved in, then be present. Make sure your mic and camera are working and be ready to contribute where appropriate.
If there’s one major difference when it comes to working from home, it’s that you can’t simply knock on your colleague's door and ask them those mundane daily questions, such as: ‘Where is that file located?’ or ‘Have you been chatting with the client about their numbers?’ and those bigger questions, such as asking for a raise, or support in an area you need it, are hard to bring up at the best of times. This is where maintaining a good relationship with your boss and team comes into play. Just because you’re at home, doesn't mean that you’re off the grid, and there’s plenty of free technology out there to facilitate this; check out Discord, Slack or the vast number of other options available to make sure you stay connected and don't get left behind!
Once you have your schedule locked into place and are happy with your daily routine, this is the perfect time to introduce an online training course, or some practical learning to your working from home regime. You can use this time to hone your Excel ability, or even to complete the professional CBD or Postgrad that you’ve had on your bucket list for years now. Discuss this with your boss today, as many companies or businesses might be able to provide you with a training bursary.
Your immediate environment has a big impact on your productivity - so think hard when compiling that list of items you need, be it a potted plant, a desk, a comfortable chair, a screen at just the right height, and find a space in your home where you will face minimal interruptions. And perhaps most important: if it’s at all possible, make sure this isn’t the same space you’ll be relaxing in with your loved ones later as you could find yourself checking work emails after dinner, or just finishing off one final thing when you should be winding down for bed. We can't stress this enough, maintaining those boundaries are so important for creating a sustainable and efficient relationship with your job.
We’re all human, we all make mistakes or procrastinate from time-to-time. Don’t set yourself up for failure by beating yourself up over a simple error. The important thing to remember is that this is a process. Keep on track, and don’t be afraid to reach out if you find yourself struggling at any point.
We hope you find those tips helpful. If you need additional help or support or want to take the next step in your career, make sure to join us for the next Jobs Expo event.
Although Jobs Expo Dublin has now rescheduled from from April 25th until October 17th, we are working to make this our biggest event yet. We are expanding our seminars for the day. The Interview Tutor, Orla Donagher, will be coaching in our Career Clinic for the day. In addition, Orla will be giving her talk Feel the fear and do it anyway: Everything you need to know about returning to work on our Agenda stage.
About Orla DonagherOrla Donagher founder of Interview Tutor has over 15 year’s industry experience in Personnel management, Staff recruitment and Career consultancy. Orla offers her services regularly as a Career Coach and seminar speaker at the Jobs EXPO.
She has contributed to articles in Irish times, the Sun newspaper, Stellar Magazine and has appeared as a Career Coach in the RTE 2 series “The Unemployables”. She has also given radio Interviews on Today FM and Dublin City FM to discuss various Career topics.
Orla has a Degree in European Business and languages, Diploma in Public relations and advertising. She is also CIPD certified in Personnel Practise
Tracy Geraghty returns to speak at Jobs Expo Dublin this summer in Croke Park. Her talk, 'Grit: The Power Of Passion & Perserverance' will take place at noon in the Hogan Suite on 17th October. You can get your tickets for FREE ADMISSION right here.
About Tracy
Tracy Geraghty is a mindset coach, her passion is helping others life easier lives with less complications and problems, leaving more time for pursuits that bring joy and fulfillment.
Over the years she has discovered a natural ability towards problem solving and reinvention, but it didn’t come easily!
She started her career as a Nurse and after 10 years in a variety of roles she moved into the Pharmaceutical sector where she worked as a Medical Sales Representative for over 13 years.
Then a series of life changing events lead to a major shift in circumstances. Starting with the break down of her marriage, then being made redundant and faced with becoming a single parent of two small children. Her son had also been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease around this time and required regular medical intervention and home schooling when he had a flare
up.
The whole process took a major toll but it never stopped her from working to create a successful future for herself and her children. It took a few years to get back up on her feet again and her first venture was running workshops on Interview Technique for teenagers in
schools. Her interest in personal development, and a strong desire to help others who have
underestimated their potential, lead her to pursue a career as a Life Coach and she is
trained in Strategic Intervention through the Robbins Madanes coaching school.
We caught up with Noel from ASML at the Jobs Expo Galway. Catch their recruitment team again onApril 25th at Jobs Expo Dublin in Croke Park.
Jobs Expo Galway has come and gone now. It was a busy day at the Galmont Hotel & Spa with a great turnout and diverse line-up of employers. We received some very interesting feedback from jobseekers from our recent survey sent out to Galwaygians.
The Connacht Tribune reviewed our Galway Jobs & Employment Survey on the 21st February. The survey showed that more than half of Galway workers have not felt any benefit from the recent upturn in the economy. Read more about the survey right here.
The Connacht Tribune is Galway's most trusted source of news for over a hundred. For all the latest news in the region read their print or online editorials.
We're excited to have LotusWorks exhibit with us again at Jobs Expo Dublin. Their recruitment team will looking to recruit from 10am to 4pm at Croke Park's Hogan Suite on 17th October 2020. You can register for your FREE TICKETS today.
LotusWorks, engineering and technical experts, work with some of the world’s leading companies and household names. They have 30 years’ experience at the cutting-edge of various industries. Furthermore, their 500 staff across Ireland and the US gain exposure to the very latest technologies and innovations. Their people are at the heart of their business. Therefore, LotusWorks care about investing in them, their health and making sure they are happy as part of the team.
People who love making a real difference and relish new challenges. If you enjoy putting your knowledge and experience into practice; you will love working with LotusWorks. Recognised as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for three consecutive years, LotusWorks employ people who want to be the best and work with the best. They strive for people who have a passion to understand the latest technologies and manufacturing processes which save and transform lives. The team are looking for future LotusWorker’s with an appetite to work in engineering and technical disciplines. Join their teams on the client sites - across Ireland & the US.
· Controls Technician
· Process Technician
· Quality Technician
· Graduate CAD Technician
· Manufacturing Engineer
· Quality Engineer
· Validation Engineer
· Automation Engineer
· Mechanical Design Engineer
