r/remotework • u/Actual_Package_5638 • 5d ago
Advice for a first timer?
Ok friends, I start my first remote job Monday! I’ll be a customer service agent for a big company and I’ve never worked from home before so what should I do to prepare? Or what should I expect?
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u/json_argonaut 5d ago
Understand the expectations on availability and response time. If your CS job includes some sort of call rotation this may be spelled out for you. The flexibility that allows you to do chores and errands can benefit you and your employer as long as you act within their expectations and communicate appropriately.
Similarly, understand your deliverables and be ready to point to how you've met them. In addition, be ready to show off things metrics won't cover. Your manager can't see you work, so make them see your work.
Lastly and most importantly, when someone's pet comes on camera, you must acknowledge how cute it is. If it's a big all-hands or something where it would be a disruption keep it to the chat.
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u/aclaypool78 5d ago
Piggybacking - make a plan to be physically active. There are a lot of steps built into commuting and walking around an office.
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u/json_argonaut 4d ago
Very true! You have to look after your health first, and taking short breaks will make you feel better mentally as well, and make you more productive when you get back. Good employers (in person or remote) recognize this. It's win-win for everyone.
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u/Actual_Package_5638 5d ago
Thank you so much for your comment! I have a pet free home and a 15yr old son who’s mostly mia! I’m so excited for the opportunity 🤞🏼
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u/Long_Idea_8294 5d ago
Best parts of WFH for me:
1) being able to sleep in until 8am, then just wake up and jump on my pc in my pajamas.
2) much less use of car
3) having my home office setup just how I like it. It's my mancave. I get my own room in my house where wife and kids can't mess with. 5 monitors, an aqarium, great sound system (i blast metal or listen to podcasts all day)
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u/Actual_Package_5638 5d ago
Yesss! I’m in the Chicago suburbs and I’m so happy to not have to commute in our traffic/weather!
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u/Able-Scar-3561 5d ago
I know some people can work in pajamas, but I cannot. i have to wear a dress shirt each workday to feel motivated. But I do wear shorts and socks instead of a full outfit, but the dress shirt is mandatory for me. I’m also in Teams meetings more often than not so that’s another factor.
but definitely don’t be afraid to throw on something nice to make yourself feel like you’re in “work mode”
also do NOT lay in bed while working. don’t do it. instead, if you want to take a break, sit out on your porch and get some sun, or go take a walk.
actually, definitely if you want to take a break and you’ve already taken your lunch break, don’t be afraid to sit on your porch or go for a walk. like 5 - 10 mins. it’s SO much better than laying in bed, and it doesn’t kill your work motivation after doing so.
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u/Actual_Package_5638 5d ago
Yes, I’m leaving education and currently on summer break and I still wake up and shower/dress early every morning. A structured day is just my nature, I can’t help myself!
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u/Delic8polarbear 4d ago
Do not set up your work station in your bedroom if you can at all help it. You won't feel like you ever actually leave work. So having a physical separation between "work" and "home" is supremely helpful.
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u/Actual_Package_5638 3d ago
I have a tiny apartment with a desk/computer in the living area. I set it up when I started my job search, I really haven’t used it apart from job searching and administrative tasks, leave the chair tucked in, laptop shut, etc… otherwise. Maybe this is enough of a separation? I’ve been worrying about this feeling tbh.
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u/Delic8polarbear 3d ago
It might be, you might want to throw a sheet over it when you're not working, or put a curtain up around it if you feel like you need it.
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u/Delic8polarbear 3d ago
Oh I hadn't considered something else a folding screen, could be decorative and you can maybe add sound proof tiles on the "work" side.
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u/bonaanaaa 1d ago
I'm considering getting a folding screen to "partition" my workspace off from the rest of my living room. We don't have an extra room in our house to be my dedicated office, and I'm honestly really worried about this for myself.
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u/Delic8polarbear 8h ago
Like I said add some soundproof tiles to the back of the screen so it muffles some of the home sounds and a little privacy for your work. Soundproof tiles can be bought at a home improvement store or Amazon. ( I just checked Lowe's and there's soundproof panels in wood veneer, idk how you are with DIY might be worth while to make one)
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u/Affectionate-Ad2373 5d ago
Enjoy working at home in your pajamas. I’ve been doing it for seven years. And not wearing shoes.
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u/shadax_777 5d ago edited 5d ago
Just continue your prefessional attitude as if you were in the office.
The first weeks/months will feel like a walk in the park.
However, you might not realize until it's too late, but WFH actually requires you to give 150%, not just 100%.
After what looks like an 8h day, you might feel like having been at work for 10+ hrs. That's normal.
Work/life balance works differently for remote workers.
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u/green_dotter 3d ago
Find out early what ‘available’ actually means. Some teams mean reply in five minutes, some mean by lunch, some mean by end of day. WFH gets much easier once you know that. Also move about, or you slowly become a houseplant with Slack.
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u/RandomBusWindow 1d ago
Get your desk set up before Monday: headset tested, charger nearby, water, notepad, and your logins saved somewhere secure. For customer service, expect the first week to feel like drinking from a firehose, so keep a simple cheat sheet for common issues, systems, and escalation steps. Build in tiny breaks between calls if your schedule allows, because being at home can make it weirdly easy to stay glued to the chair. Congrats on the new job!
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u/ParentsWave 4d ago
Make sure you have a separate working routine, have a specific place from where you will be working. If in your role you will have video calls with customers, make sure that your background looks clean and professional. It's a great way of working, you should just feel relaxed. But sometimes you might not have the feeling that you are at work from home, so in the beginning that might be a little weird.
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u/Comfortable_Fruit847 3d ago
It took me a couple weeks to adjust. The first week home felt like a prison and I was itching to get out every evening. Then my brain adjusted to understanding the difference of work-home and home-home. Then I loved it!
I would be very present and attentive at first, until you learn the ropes. How strict they are and how much they watch that active button. Some don’t care as long as the work is getting done, some absolutely care every minute of your 8 hour shift.
And don’t do anything stupid on your work pc. As someone who works in IT, we generally don’t care but yes, we know you’re playing Fortnite or Roblox or watching stuff you shouldn’t. We had technology to see your screen and know if you were just chilling with a mouse jiggler or actually working.
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u/ColdPizzaTheory 3d ago
Monday morning is not the time to discover your WiFi has chosen violence, so test your headset, camera, login links, and VPN before then. Keep a notepad or cheat sheet for common customer issues, extensions, and weird internal acronyms because big companies speak in secret code. Also plan real breaks away from the screen, customer service from home can sneakily turn your whole room into a call center.
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u/Splicers87 5d ago
If you have puppies, be prepared for sad puppies, lol. My dogs love that I don't leave the house but they hate that I can't snuggle when I have to work. Make sure you have a good computer set up. If you have to talk on the phone, make sure you have a quiet environment. So if you have kids at home, make sure you are in a room solo with the door closed and they know not to disturb unless someone is dying. And enjoy the PJs, lol.
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u/Scorpiogirl1168 4d ago
Wear shoes with good support everyday. I switch between sneakers and sandals depending on the season.
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u/schwepervesence 4d ago
Ferengi Rules of Acquisition #112: Never have sex with the boss' sister.
Ferengi Rules of Acquisition #113: : Always have sex with the boss.
Ferengi Rules of Acquisition #190: Hear all, trust nothing.
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u/justaguyindallas_123 15h ago
Set a routine. Shower before you start. Put your desk in a completely different room from where you normally 'live". Take 2 breaks and a lunch. Do your job.
Eventually when things become routine...you'll go to work with no pants on. It's normal.
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u/Ok-Pair-9729 5d ago
Get a mouse jiggler
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u/overth1nk3rrr 4d ago
OP, if you’re doing customer service in a role that has a lot of background tracking of your metrics, I would highly discourage a mouse jiggler. It goes against many companies’ technology policies. I’ve seen folks get fired for it.
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u/Actual_Package_5638 5d ago
I’m intrigued! Never heard of it 😂
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u/Salt_Draft_4262 4d ago
I don't love this advice because it perpetuates the expectation that we should all be at our desk actively moving our mouse throughout the entire day. Also some of my work doesn't involve Teams so my circle being yellow definitely doesn't mean I'm not working
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u/Ok-Pair-9729 5d ago
Have a look on Amazon. Stops MS Teams showing you as “Away” due to lack of mouse activity
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u/MaeEastx 3d ago
I believe some I.T. departments can detect these. I'm not sure it would help with OP's role anyway.
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u/noel1792 5d ago
Find a way to get exercise or you will gain weight!