Starting a new job can be a nerve-wracking (and exciting) experience for anyone. However try starting at your first full-time job out of university, remotely – during a pandemic! When I accepted my job offer to be a Human Capital Management (HCM) Consultant at Covalence Consulting, I was super excited to start my career in HCM & HR technology. And then COVID-19 hit and the world changed. While I was eagerly awaiting my first day at work, it was soon apparent that the reality of how we work had changed, seemingly overnight. Below I share my experience and how other new hires can get the most out of their onboarding experience, even when there’s a global pandemic underway.
A New Experience
As a Queen’s University graduate with a degree in Engineering, I was recruited to Covalence Consulting through my alma mater’s hiring fair. When I met Covalence employees at their hiring booth, I really appreciated how open they were to answering questions, but also genuinely excited to work in Human Capital Management software consulting. Travelling to downtown Toronto to do interviews at the company’s amazing office, I remember feeling that a new world of possibilities was opening up to me. Not only was I directly starting a new job in a field that would allow me to use my analytical and technical skillset, it would be my first ‘official’ and full-time job!
When I received the job offer, I felt elated. The offer meant I was embarking on a new career path, rather than simply taking a job. Soon, however, my excitement turned into nervousness. In March, COVID-19 was beginning to ramp up and my start date was scheduled for May! The pandemic wasn’t only affecting people’s health, it had begun to impact the global economy, too. Was my job still going to be there in May?
As it turns out, it was! I was reassured that Covalence Consulting was continuing to pursue their growth plans for 2020 and beyond, and that my role would be a big part of that. My job offer was secure and the team was eagerly awaiting for me and other new hires to join the staff. To say I was relieved is an under-statement.
I felt back on track and ready to take on this new challenge. Then I asked myself: how would onboarding and settling into my new team be from afar? I’ve learned that there are a few key things that those starting new jobs during COVID-19 can do to make the experience smooth and successful.
Get To Know Your Team
Under normal circumstances, new team members may ask to sit with colleagues at the lunch table or make jokes with their cubicle neighbour. But for me, those weren’t options. Instead, I made the point to take up new colleagues on their (really kind) offers to orient me. At Covalence, there really is a group of people who not only want to deliver real value to their clients, but also aim to create a congenial atmosphere where everyone works as a team. That team spirit came through video calls, online chats, emails and more. Sometimes, new hires are hesitant or too polite to take part in office socializing. Don’t be! Whenever a work supervisor or a colleague prompted a conversation, I fully took on the opportunity to learn more about them and Covalence’s work culture. Doing this really helped me meld with the team quickly and perhaps prompted me to get to know everyone even more than in normal circumstances.
Yes, it’s definitely an interesting and unique experience starting a new job during this crazy time in the world. But I do feel incredibly lucky to have this opportunity to work with people who have built good working relationships with co-workers. They really take the time to both ensure that you’re equipped with the knowledge and skills to be successful in your job, as well as that you feel confident in performing that job. If you’re starting a job remotely, be sure to get to know your colleagues and supervisors, even more than you would under normal circumstances!
Be Agile
Being an HCM Consultant is all about being nimble. You have to change your priorities and workflows in accordance to client needs and project goals. Being agile is a necessity – it’s part of providing clients with that personalized service that really sets us apart. Being adaptable is also highly important in being a good Human Capital Management Consultant. Client needs change constantly and so do the requirements organizations have for their HCM software. As such, we are always on our toes and ready to move with the changing tide of client asks!
Well, as I have learned, working from home while starting a brand new job requires a high level of adaptability as well. As I’ve shadowed calls and colleagues, attended online workshops, webinars, training classes, and company info sessions, one thing that has always stood out to me is that everyone is calm in the face of changing priorities. Even with the added pressure of having to deliver during a pandemic, Covalence consultants keep their cool and also provide excellent HCM consulting services.
I believe that comes down to the fact that they are inherently agile and move swiftly with oncoming changes. If you’re starting a new job during COVID-19, try to be adaptable as well. Meetings may be rescheduled, your role may evolve, your workload may increase. It may not be easy, but it’s all part of excelling in your new role, despite taking it on during these strange times.
Also, if you or your organization needs any HCM software consulting services, reach out to us! We are always excited to talk about all things HCM!