Congratulations! You just landed your first remote role, after tens and hundreds of applications, interviews and rejections. It feels unreal and you’re filled with so much excitement and possibly anxiety about what your first week would look like. 

Let’s be honest, your first week might not be as smooth and possibly overwhelming, rightly so because you’re getting into something new.  You have new tools to learn and adapt to, new coworkers to meet through screens while you’re thousands of kilometers away and new work processes to understand, it can be really overwhelming and we understand that. 

This article is going to walk you through what to expect from your first week at work and how to fit in seamlessly into your new job.

Preparation Phase

One mistake you shouldn’t make is beginning without putting everything in place before your resumption date. This would help you minimize hitches on your first day and reduce your anxiety. Ensure you test all your gadgets before your first day. Turn on your computer, run an internet speed test, install all communication apps required for work and communication, make sure your webcam is placed clear and at the best angle for video calls and also ensure your microphone is working and audible. Nothing creates anxiety more than technical difficulties during your first video call. 

Setup up your workspace how you’d want to use it. Arrange your desk and adjust your chair to the most comfortable height. Also make sure your stationery are in the right places for easy notetaking and better documentation during meetings. This might sound simple but starting your first day in a comfortable organized space reduces tension and stress. 

If your new employer sent you any onboarding documents, read them thoroughly. Look for information about their communication tools, work hours, meeting schedules, and who your direct supervisor is. Write down any questions that come up so you can ask them on day one instead of struggling silently.

Day One: Your First Impression 

Your first day will mostly consist of introductions , an onboarding session and less of actual work. This is expected as they’re trying to get you up to speed with all the company protocols, duties and your responsibilities. 

Ensure you log in early. If the meeting is scheduled for 9am, ensure you’re ready by 8:45am. This shows professionalism and gives you another opportunity to test run your computer, internet connection, webcam and microphone.

During your initial meetings and introductions, turn your camera on unless explicitly told otherwise. Remote work relies heavily on building human connections, and people remember faces better than names in a chat box. Smile, make eye contact with the camera, and introduce yourself warmly. Mention your location, your role, and something brief and professional about yourself.  

Take extensive notes. Your brain can’t retain everything, write down names and roles of key people, login details for various apps and sites, who to meet for certain challenges and deadlines or other expectations. Also make sure you ask questions where necessary, to ensure everything is clear to you.

Understanding your Tools

Most remote companies use a combination of tools, your main goal should be to get familiar with them. You’ll encounter tools like Trello, Asana and Google Workspaces where tasks are assigned and tracked. Spend time exploring these tools so you get a firm grasp of them before you start getting your tasks assigned there.

Communication tools are your lifeline in remote work. Whether it’s Gmail, Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Discord, learn the etiquette. Understand which channels are for what purposes and to whom, when to send direct messages versus posting in channels, and how your team uses threads and mentions. Pay attention to response time expectations. Some teams expect quick Slack responses during work hours, others are more asynchronous. 

Emails remain a very important tool, even in remote companies. Understanding your company’s email culture is very important for effective communication. Do they prefer long elaborate emails or do shorter bullet-point emails? This would help you get a grip of their communication system.

Video conferencing will become part of your everyday life. Whether it’s Zoom, Google Meet or Microsoft teams, ensure you know how to mute and unmute yourself, share your screen, use the chat feature and raise your hand in virtual meetings. 

Your First Tasks: Start Small and Build Momentum

Don’t expect to revolutionize the company in week one. Your first tasks will likely be small, possibly even busy work, and that’s intentional. Companies use these early assignments to see how you follow instructions, communicate progress, and handle feedback.

When you receive your first assignment, make sure you completely understand what’s being asked before you start. Clarify the deadline, the expected format or outcome, who needs to review your work, and where the final deliverable should go. It’s better to ask clarifying questions upfront than to deliver something that misses the mark.

Keep your manager updated on your progress without being annoying about it. A simple end-of-day message saying what you completed and what you’re working on next goes a long way. If you’re stuck, say so early rather than struggling silently until the deadline arrives.

Pay attention to how your colleagues structure their work. Notice how they format documents, how detailed they are in project updates, how they phrase requests, and how they handle disagreements or corrections. This unspoken culture is just as important as the written rules.

Managing Time Zones and Communication

If you’re working with international teams, time zones will be one of your biggest adjustments. Install a world clock app on your phone or computer that shows where your key colleagues are located. Learn to think in their time when scheduling or expecting responses.

Be clear about your working hours from the start. If you’re in Nigeria working with a US-based team, they need to know when you’re available. Add your working hours to your email signature and calendar. Set your status on communication platforms to reflect when you’re online and when you’re away.

Understand the difference between synchronous and asynchronous communication. Synchronous means real-time; video calls, quick Slack conversations, immediate responses. Asynchronous means delayed emails, recorded video updates, detailed project comments that don’t need instant replies. Most remote work is asynchronous, and learning to communicate clearly without needing real-time back-and-forth is crucial.

End of Week Reflection

By Friday of your first week, you’ll probably feel exhausted. Remote work is mentally draining in different ways than office work. The constant video calls, the effort to stay visible and engaged, the learning curve, it all takes energy.

Take time Friday evening or over the weekend to reflect on what went well and what was challenging. Write down systems or routines you want to establish going forward. Identify any tools you need to get more comfortable with. Note any questions that are still unclear.

Celebrate making it through week one. You showed up, you learned, you contributed, and you took the first step in building your remote career. It gets easier from here as you develop your rhythm and confidence.