By Amanda Ghysel

Just a few short years ago, the term “hybrid” more often referred to a Toyota Prius than it did to a work environment. But now, as we sit in this strange purgatory between working completely remotely and being able to be in the office – sometimes, sort of, under certain conditions – “hybrid” is the working world many of us are living in.

For me, I was previously in a position where I had been going into the office every day beginning in August 2020 and had gotten used to being back to work in person full-time. Then, this past September, I accepted a new position that is a hybrid role – something I had never truly experienced before. Here’s what I’ve learned being the newbie in our “new normal.” (Are we sick of that phrase yet?!)

1. Understand the expectations

When you’re not always physically around your boss or team, understanding what’s expected of you can be challenging. If your boss or supervisor doesn’t initiate the conversation when you first start your new role, consider asking some questions yourself because it will be beneficial to both of you to reach out for a candid discussion about what your job looks like in a hybrid format. How many days a week are you expected to go into the office? What does your day look like when you’re there? When you’re home, do you need to be online during certain hours or can you complete your work at any time during the day? Having those conversations when you first start will help prevent any misunderstandings or frustrations for either of you.

2. Find an office buddy

In some companies, teams are required or encouraged to go into the office on the same days. If this isn’t the case in your role, consider finding someone from your group and sharing an in-office schedule with them. Not only will it allow for in-person collaboration with someone you’ll be working closely with, you’ll also both get to know each other better. They may also be able to introduce you to others around the office.

I am fortunate to have someone my own age on my team who I work very closely with, and he and I always go into the office on the same day. We’ve done training and brainstorming sessions together in the office and now text each other coffee recommendations when we’re not in the office. The connection we’ve made has helped me assimilate into the team more seamlessly on both a professional and personal level.

3. Plan accordingly

If you know ahead of time which days you’ll be going into the office and which days you’ll be working remotely, consider planning your schedule to fit your work environment. For example, I try not to schedule a day full of Zoom meetings when I’m in the office because I can easily take those from home. Similarly, I have access to better technology in the office, and therefore save tasks that require those tools for the days I’m at work. Planning ahead will allow you to optimize your time in whatever environment you’re in (yay productivity!) and help you stay organized.

4. Be human

One of the most challenging aspects I’ve found in working in a hybrid model is the loss of casual conversations when you’re sharing a physical space with coworkers every day. When you’re only seeing your colleagues over screens or only for a brief time in person each week, it can be easy to stick to work-related conversations, especially when you’re new!

For me, my boss is working from home indefinitely – we’ve never met in person! But we have a one-on-one meeting every week, and we always spend the first five or so minutes talking about life outside of work. It can certainly feel clunkier when it’s not the natural “water cooler chatter” in the office, but making an effort to getting to know your colleagues on a personal level will help develop and improve your working relationship – and help you all enjoy work more!

Starting a new role while working in a hybrid model can certainly add an extra challenge to your transition. In my experience so far, communication and connection have proven to be the keys to making the transition as smooth as possible. In fact, I’ve come to love hybrid life – now I just need the Prius to match.