We've all experienced onboarding, but doing it in a totally remote environment is a different challenge — it can either give you the foundation to thrive or ruin the whole experience and leave the hiring team questioning whether they made the right choice.

When you learn and incorporate the right strategies for your remote onboarding, you can build the right connections, gain clarity on your role and expectations, and set yourself up to thrive long-term.

Forge your connections

Unlike an in-office environment, remote hires miss out on spontaneous “water-cooler” interactions that help build relationships and provide context to the company's inner workings. That’s why you should be proactive and prioritize meeting as many people as you can during your first 3 months.

Take advantage of coffee chats and all other online team activities, which are often organized by HR to help everyone get to know each other. Don't overlook these chances—they’re about more than just getting familiar faces. It's not just about delivering great work and impressing your colleagues with results—you also need to build meaningful relationships. Personal connections lead to people liking you, offering you their support, and sharing insights that can save you from hitting unnecessary roadblocks.

Get clarity on your role and expectations

Check that you have your 30-60-90 days goals, even if they weren’t officially presented to you. You can still clarify the expectations of you - just make sure you fully understand each point and task.

Without in-person casual opportunities to clarify things, you need to be intentional about gaining this understanding. Ask what success looks like, with specific examples of what’s acceptable and what’s not. Since neither your manager nor colleagues will see you daily at your desk, you need to proactively manage the visibility of your role and the clarity of expectations.

This is the time when you can schedule frequent meetings with your manager or buddy—they are interested in your success and are there to support you. Show your progress regularly, even if it’s just learning the basics during the first weeks; it’s important to demonstrate that you are actively learning and contributing.

Don’t be afraid to ask all kinds of questions. Many of us fall into this trap where we’re afraid to sound unprofessional. Yet the longer you wait, the harder it will be for you to overcome this hesitation. It is during the first few months that your team expects you to ask questions no one else has come up with in a long time. You will often unveil critical issues that people weren’t aware of. Like “Why am I on this project? What are the expectations of me shadowing someone? Is this your typical client/project, or is it off?” You can even help people understand their work better, believe it or not.

Leverage technology wisely

While some companies have already incorporated AI, ML and other abbreviations, you should still be mindful when using any AI tools or automation.

Your organization might have specific policies, but even if they don’t, it’s always better to align with company guidelines or check with HR before introducing anything new. For instance, inviting your automated note-taker to a meeting might seem harmless to you, but some colleagues may be uncomfortable with AI involvement. They may not express it directly and build potential resentment instead. That's not something you want, especially early on. Always seek permission before integrating new tech, even if it’s just for your own workflow.

Take time to observe how the team uses current tools and collaborates before suggesting any "fancy" new solutions. Understanding existing culture, processes, and what the team actually needs will help you make practical suggestions that will be welcomed by your team.

What onboarding is really all about

Effective onboarding in a remote workplace is about more than just understanding your role—it's about creating an environment where you feel connected, informed, and valued. By cultivating positive relationships, gaining clarity on your responsibilities, using technology thoughtfully, and actively integrating into the company culture, you can navigate remote onboarding smoothly and truly thrive in your new role.

Remember, you are the most interested and responsible person for your successful onboarding. You have the freedom to make it work, even if some processes weren't established before you. Embrace it fully, and don't hesitate to ask for the support you need to thrive.