#4: Be Available
This goes hand in hand with #3. While there’s no need to throw work-life balance out the window and take all random calls at 3 a.m., be clear with your coworkers about when and how they can reach you and as I said above, be flexible and adjust your hours to accommodate them, particularly your boss.
#5: Request Travel to HQ for Trainings and Events
Depending on the size and budget of your employer, they may be willing to bring you to the home office for trainings or company events. My company recently participated in a conference and they flew me back to the States to help. There’s nothing more valuable than face-to-face time with your team. These are good opportunities to learn, to build relationships, to network and find out what you can be doing to improve and make yourself more valuable to the company.
#6: Never Talk about the Distance like it’s an Obstacle
Stay positive and emphasize the benefits of your overseas work arrangement with your colleagues when you have the chance. One of my company’s clients, for example, occasionally needs attention after 5 p.m. PT and will have action items come through as late as 8 or 9 p.m. when my coworkers stateside are home or offline. Since these are my mornings, I’m able to step in and take care of that client after hours and have thereby enabled my company to basically provide 24-hour service to the client.
You never want your work arrangement to be a “problem” for coworkers or your boss for obvious reasons. So be a problem solver, focus on the good and make sure that others have a positive impression of your remote situation as well.
