Suzie’s advice on preparing for working remotely, avoiding burn-out, and adjusting to an at-home office.
According to Forbes, 16 % of companies around the world are offering remote positions and one in four UK employees have said that they are working either remotely or in a hybrid position. These kinds of roles are something that service leavers need to consider. In this blog, we spoke to our in-house expert, Suzanne Conaghan.
Together, we’re unpacking two big questions: Is remote work the right option for you? And how do you prepare for it? And as always, key takeaways are at the bottom.
Dive in:👇
[Jade] Hi Suzie! Can you tell me a bit about your military experience and how you came to work remotely for a tech start-up?
[Suzie] I spent 14 years in the Royal Air Force (RAF), working across varied HR and talent functions. I spent the majority of my time in generic HR roles and the last five years of my time in the military in recruitment. Throughout my career, I did various roles overseas, such as accounting in the Falklands Islands, and force protection in the Middle East and was also the movements lead in Afghanistan booking all of the fixed wing and helicopter movements.
So, super varied, but all under the HR umbrella, which is what led me to move into talent acquisition after the forces, I was especially interested in tech recruitment. Tech was something that always interested me. I had friends who'd moved into the tech space and it always looked appealing, especially with all of the new tech that was coming out. I think so much has evolved in these last few years that it just was something that I was really keen to get into. Even though I'm not massively technically minded, it's nice to work in that space and have an eye on what’s happening, whilst in a HR function.
[J] Amazing! How did you find the transition from working in the military to working in a fully remote role?
My first two roles after leaving the forces were remote. My first role out of the forces was with Amazon Web Services which was completely remote because it was the back end of the pandemic.
Whilst it was a huge learning curve, I felt that was more so in terms of the new tech and new processes, rather than the physical environment. I think working remotely is what I was ready for and something that I got used to pretty quickly.
[J] Well, remote and hybrid work seems to be here to stay. Everyone has to seriously consider these roles. How would you suggest that they prepare?
[S] I think what's not actually common knowledge to companies employing ex-forces is that there are quite a few remote roles already in the military, not every role is practical or on the ground so it may not be a huge transition for some service leavers.
That being said, for a lot of people, it will be new and different and, they’ll need to rely on their adaptable skill set. There's a saying; “I want solutions, not problems.” It’s quite well-known in the military. It sounds so savage, but actually, that helps people prepare for this because they will have to think for themselves a bit more.
It's really easy in that office environment to just grab someone when they're walking back from a break or whatever and ask; ‘can show me how to do this’. But actually, [working remotely] you’ve got to figure stuff out yourself because you're more conscious about messaging somebody during their day to find out how to do something, that you could likely look up yourself. And I think in the military, that's what you tend to do anyway because you are expected to. So I think working from home isn't a huge issue for people with that mindset.
[J] Awesome. So do you think that these remote positions or hybrid positions offer purpose, challenge and progression? And how do you think veterans can ensure they’re getting these things?
[S] Yes definitely! When you're talking about purpose, I think it just opens up so many doors for people to go into a second career that they’re passionate about. Veterans and service leavers can research mission-driven companies or roles that align with their values or interests. Whether that’s with a specific company or industry, you can go for it, even if it’s not locally. You’ve got a ton more options.
Or, consider volunteering. Working remotely allows you to structure your time very differently so you can tick purpose off that way, and it gets you away from your desk.
On the other hand, if family time is your driving force, working remotely could help you focus on that. Especially if you have a young family and don’t want to miss out on any important moments. There’s a lot of benefits.
[J] What about challenge and progression?
[S] In terms of challenge, there's the self-discipline and time management element, there's learning new skills in that new environment and being more reliant on yourself.
A way to overcome that is to seek roles that will stretch your current skillset. Set yourself productivity goals as well, and challenge yourself to meet more ambitious deadlines. That keeps you motivated throughout the day, the weeks, and months. Also, ask for feedback from your manager on areas to improve and challenge yourself to hit those goals and achieve more to keep moving forward.
For progression, the companies that you're working for should still have the right frameworks for professional development and career progression. During your interviews, ask about mentorship and career paths for remote employees and if that's any different, it shouldn't be, that should all still be in place. Network with other people in your desired career progression path as well. LinkedIn is great for that. The Redeployable community is also for that. What we’ve built is the perfect way to connect with people who are taking similar paths to yourself.
[J] Building off that, what would you say are the key skills that can help veterans succeed in remote roles, even though each role is different?
[S] I think communication is key. When working remotely, you need to lean on those skills so much, because you really need to be able to relay your point across virtually, rather than having those in-person conversations. Sometimes meaning can be lost or misunderstood via message, so just always be clear and consistent.
Discipline is another key skill. As well as our work ethic. Those in the military can knuckle down and crack on with their work without being micromanaged or having someone prompt them to get things done.
[J] What else should veterans consider when looking into these remote positions? Any other general tips that they can walk away with?
[S] I would say it's not going to be for everyone, but some will know if it’s the right choice for them. But, if you're not sure whether it will work for you, try and find a company that offers remote working, but has a local office so that you can always go into the office if you're not feeling like it's working out for you.I think setting up a home office and treating it like an office is key to succeeding in a remote role. You’ll be tons more productive.
On that though, you need to remember to take breaks. I know it seems like you'll get loads of time to do your stuff, but actually, you can find yourself at your desk even more than you will be at an office. So yeah, remember to take breaks and also staying connected with your team is key as well.
[J] How do you stay close to your team, when you’re working remotely? Because I can imagine that the team aspect is really important to veterans.
[S] The feeling of loneliness can be real for a lot of people. So, I would suggest building connections with co-workers and getting to know as many people from the wider team as you can. Put time in with them when you first join and ask them if they’re keen to go for coffee chats.
Look at company-wide virtual events as well and get involved with that. You can meet new people that way, and communicate openly with your peers. These events can also help you build good relationships with your managers. Equally though, I would say set boundaries to protect your own time to avoid over-committing to virtual activities if you don't have the time.
I think it's natural when you first join a company to want to join everything, but actually it can just eat up all of your time and take you away from your primary goals. So look after your own time as well and commit to the additional bits that will help you, or where you can help someone else.
[J] Brilliant. Thank you so much for your time, Suzie
Key Takeaways:
The military mindset will help you adapt: Lean on your self-discipline, manage your time effectively and treat work time like ‘work’. Your communication style will also impact how close you feel to your team, so pay attention to that.
Take advantage of your options: Explore opportunities in companies and industries that serve your interests and passions. With remote work, you can work anywhere, this will help you find purpose beyond serving.
Be proactive: Look for roles that stretch your skill sets and set productivity goals to stay motivated. Identify any mentorship and career progression opportunities for remote employees, and actively build your network with fellow vets.
Steps for success at home:
- Set up a dedicated home office or work space; shut the door, and make it your focus spot. Take regular breaks; don’t burn out. Take breaks, get outside, and structure your day.
- Stay connected with your team through virtual coffee chats and company-wide events, and communicate clearly
- Consider hybrid roles or companies with local offices if you’re unsure about full-time remote work.
Working remotely, either full-time or under a hybrid model, isn’t going anywhere, if you’re going into an office-based role, the chances are you’ll work remotely in some capacity.
If you prepare, there’s no reason why you won’t smash it in a remote role.
Join the community now to connect and network with veterans who’ve made the transition to remote working. You might even find your next role. Go go go.
