There’s no question that remote work has significantly changed workplace dynamics. Before the work from home or WFH model became commonplace, most professionals could expect to commute to the office, clock in, and finish their tasks within their given work hours.
Now that more people have the option to seek out work from home jobs with flexible schedules and output-driven job requirements, they can enjoy various benefits that aren’t easily available from traditional onsite 9-to-5s in their home countries. Included among these are the chance to earn more competitive salaries and work with teams from different countries.
If you’ve just applied for or gotten accepted for a WFH position based in another country, it probably won’t be as difficult for you to perform well and stay connected to your team given how fast, convenient, and reliable modern-day messaging, video conferencing, and web collaboration tools currently are. But it may be another challenge altogether to adjust your routine to the time zone of another country or region.
How will you be able to stay alert and productive for a remote job that requires you to work outside your native time zone? Here are five tips that will help make the adjustment period less stressful on you:
1) Immediately Notify Third Parties What Time Zone You’re In
When working with others who live in a different country, it will be important for you to immediately notify all relevant parties of what time zone you’re in. This step isn’t just a courtesy to them, but a practical necessity for all parties involved.
Clearly communicating your time zone helps prevent confusion about your availability and other constraints you may have, thus ensuring that expectations are properly set from the beginning. Your colleagues, clients, and partners need to be aware of when exactly you’re available so that you can avoid any misunderstandings that may lead to missed deadlines, delayed responses, or unnecessary frustrations.
Your forthrightness about your time zone will also set a good precedent for a transparent working environment—one that encourages others to plan their interactions with you more effectively. For instance, if you're in a time zone that's ahead or behind most of your team, they can adjust their communication methods accordingly. They might choose to send emails or messages during the overlap of your working hours and theirs to make sure that their requests are seen and addressed promptly.
2) Clearly Establish Time Zone Boundaries with Clients and Teammates
Once you’ve properly declared your time zone, the next step is to establish clear boundaries regarding your availability. Working remotely, especially across different time zones, can blur the lines between personal and professional time, making it easy for work to seep into your personal life and potentially affect your health in adverse ways.
To prevent this from happening, set specific working hours that align with your time zone and communicate these hours to your clients and teammates. Your colleagues should know when to expect you to be online and responsive, and you should also keep track of the same for them. Respecting these boundaries on both sides will set the tone for a more amiable and productive working relationship down the line, as everyone will be able to understand when they can collaborate for work purposes without overstepping into personal time.
3) Take Advantage of Asynchronous Communication When You Can
Asynchronous communication is beneficial in remote work setups where there are significant time zone differences. This type of communication allows team members to message each other and work on tasks without requiring everyone to be available simultaneously, enabling work to continue without interruption—regardless of the time of day.
First, make an effort to sort out which tasks must be done in real time and which tasks can be done asynchronously. Come to an agreement with your employer and your colleagues so that all of you know what to prioritize and which tasks you can either do ahead or postpone. Next, figure out which tools—like email clients, project management software, and shared documents—will allow you to achieve your asynchronous tasks most effectively.
Don’t forget to leave detailed messages, updates, and instructions that your colleagues can review and act upon when they are online. Doing so won’t only keep projects moving forward, but also reduce the pressure of needing to be constantly available for real-time discussions.
4) Include Time for Synchronous Communication When Possible
While a lot of your tasks for your remote job may end up being asynchronous, it’s also important to carve out time for synchronous communication whenever this is possible. Real-time interactions, such as video calls or live chats, allow for more free-flowing and dynamic exchanges of ideas. They’re also opportunities to gather immediate feedback about your performance and to address issues as they arise. These interactions are also the best at strengthening your relationships with your colleagues and clients, as they will allow for more personal and direct communication.
Schedule regular synchronous meetings, even if they’re infrequent, to bridge the gap that time zone differences naturally create. For example, you might want to arrange a weekly or bi-weekly check-in during overlapping hours that work for both you and your team. Such meetings can be used to discuss project progress, clarify any misunderstandings or discrepancies, and align on goals.
To ensure the success of your synchronous communication sessions, remember to be mindful of everyone's time zones—especially if you’re in charge of scheduling. Also do your best to demonstrate respect for your colleagues' time and ensure that everyone is fully present and engaged during the meeting.
5) Consider Working in Split Shifts
Lastly, if you’re working in a time zone that significantly diverges from your team's or clients' working hours, you and your employer may want to consider adopting a split shift schedule. Split shifts involve dividing your workday into two or more segments, allowing you to be available during critical overlap times with your team while also maintaining a more traditional work-life balance. For example, you might start your day early to coincide with your colleagues' working hours, take a break during the middle of the day, and then resume working in the late afternoon or evening.
This approach will not only maximize your availability during peak collaboration times, but also help you manage your energy levels more effectively. Breaking up your workday may give you better chances of avoiding the fatigue that often comes from trying to stay online continuously for extended periods. In addition, split shifts may allow you to make the most of your personal time, ensuring you can still rest, recharge, and engage in non-work activities while being fully present in the moment.
As a new remote worker, few things may be as tough on you at first than adjusting to a different time zone. But the strategies listed above are sure to make the transition smoother and more manageable, thus setting you up for success and an enjoyable stint with your new company.
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