By Jessica LaShawn, Founder of Mogul Academy and Jessica LaShawn Consulting
The landscape of work has changed drastically in the past few years. As companies continue to embrace remote work, recruiting new employees has taken on a new set of challenges and opportunities. Gone are the days of in-person interviews being the norm, replaced by virtual meetings, online assessments, and digital onboarding processes. But one of the most important aspects of this shift is understanding and implementing Remote Work Etiquette—especially in diverse companies and industries.
At Jessica LaShawn Consulting and Mogul Academy, we see the growing need to expose new high school and college graduates to the tech industry while also teaching the importance of proper remote work etiquette. This is crucial for their success as they enter a professional world that’s increasingly dependent on virtual collaboration. In this blog, I’ll break down how you can successfully recruit new employees in a remote work environment while exposing students to this dynamic work structure.
Lesson Plan: Understanding Remote Work Etiquette
Objective:
To help companies and educational institutions understand the key principles of remote work etiquette and how to prepare high school and college graduates for success in a virtual workspace.
Remote Work Etiquette is more than just logging into meetings on time—it’s about creating a professional, respectful, and productive virtual environment. In remote settings, the lack of face-to-face interaction can lead to miscommunications or missed opportunities for engagement, especially for new employees who may not have experienced a traditional work setting.
At Mogul Academy, we prepare students by teaching them how to navigate the complexities of remote work environments, ensuring they understand both the soft skills (such as communication and time management) and the technical skills needed to succeed.
Business Plan: Partnering to Bridge the Gap for New Graduates
Objective:
To outline a strategic partnership between companies, Mogul Academy, and Jessica LaShawn Consulting, aimed at introducing high school and college graduates to remote work opportunities and etiquette while preparing them for the tech industry.
As companies, especially those in tech, continue to hire remotely, there’s a golden opportunity to collaborate with educational programs like Mogul Academy to expose students to the realities of remote work. Here’s how this partnership could benefit both companies and students:
- Virtual Workshops and Webinars: We can collaborate with companies to host virtual workshops that teach students about remote work etiquette. These sessions would cover everything from email professionalism and video conferencing best practices to managing distractions in a home office.
- Mentorship and Shadowing: Companies can offer remote mentorship programs, allowing students to virtually shadow professionals in real-time. This gives students firsthand exposure to how remote employees communicate, collaborate, and manage their time effectively.
- Remote Internship Opportunities: By offering remote internships, companies provide students with valuable work experience in a flexible environment. Internships can be tailored to teach students the tools and platforms they’ll need to thrive, such as Slack, Zoom, or project management software like Asana or Trello.
- Networking and Tech Exposure: Companies can partner with Mogul Academy to introduce students to the tech industry. We can host virtual networking events where students meet industry professionals and discuss the importance of tech in diverse business structures.
Through this partnership, companies can help shape the future workforce by equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in a remote-first world. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship that not only fills the tech talent pipeline but also ensures the next generation is ready to take on the challenges of remote work.
Step-by-Step Presentation: Best Practices for Recruiting in a Remote Work Environment
Objective:
To provide companies with a clear, step-by-step guide for recruiting new employees in a remote setting while integrating best practices for remote work etiquette.
Step 1: Optimize Your Job Listings for Remote Candidates
When you’re recruiting for a remote position, be clear about the requirements and expectations in your job listings. Include information on working hours, tech tools, communication expectations, and any required remote work experience. This ensures candidates understand the demands of the role upfront.
Student Integration: Companies can partner with Mogul Academy to help students understand how to read and apply to remote job listings. Workshops can cover topics like virtual job applications and remote interview tips.
Step 2: Create a Virtual Interview Process that Reflects Your Company Culture
Your interview process should not only assess the candidate’s skills but also reflect your company’s remote work culture. Use video conferencing tools to hold interviews, but make sure to emphasize the importance of remote communication during these discussions. Ask candidates about their remote work habits and how they manage their time and productivity in a virtual environment.
Mentorship Opportunity: Students can join virtual mock interviews led by HR professionals from your company. This provides them with real-life experience and helps them build confidence in virtual interview settings.
Step 3: Emphasize Soft Skills Like Communication and Time Management
While technical skills are important, soft skills like communication, collaboration, and time management are even more critical in a remote work environment. Look for candidates who demonstrate these skills and who have experience using remote work tools.
Tech Exposure: Through Mogul Academy, students can participate in hands-on learning sessions that teach them how to use remote tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Slack effectively.
Step 4: Design a Remote Onboarding Program
Once you’ve hired the right candidate, it’s important to onboard them effectively. Create a structured onboarding program that introduces them to your company’s systems, tools, and remote work expectations. Make sure to assign a remote mentor who can guide them through their first few weeks.
Supportive Learning: Companies can offer virtual onboarding internships to high school and college graduates, helping them navigate the virtual workspace and learn the importance of building professional relationships remotely.
Step 5: Encourage Remote Work Etiquette
Throughout the recruitment and onboarding process, make sure to emphasize the importance of remote work etiquette. Teach employees how to communicate effectively in written and verbal formats, respect time zones, and create a professional virtual presence. This not only enhances collaboration but also reduces misunderstandings in a virtual team.
Real-World Practice: At Mogul Academy, we offer remote work etiquette training, ensuring that new graduates understand how to manage professional interactions in a virtual world.
Remote Work Etiquette: A New Standard for Success
Remote work is here to stay, and with it comes a need for new standards of professionalism and etiquette. As an inspirational mentor and coach, I believe that exposing students to the tech industry and teaching them remote work etiquette is critical for their success in today’s workforce.
At Mogul Academy, we prepare young minds not only to understand how businesses function but also to become leaders in a virtual-first world. By partnering with companies, we can ensure that high school and college graduates are well-equipped to enter the professional world, with the knowledge, skills, and etiquette needed to thrive in any remote work environment.
If you’re ready to inspire the next generation and create opportunities for students to enter the tech industry, reach out to Jessica LaShawn Consulting today. Let’s work together to redefine remote work and make an impact on the future of business.
About Jessica LaShawn
Jessica LaShawn is the founder of Mogul Academy and Jessica LaShawn Consulting, where she mentors youth, empowers businesses, and bridges the gap between education and industry. With a focus on holistic development, Jessica helps companies build socially responsible partnerships while nurturing the next generation of professionals in a tech-driven world.
