Students/Guidance3/StudentOnboarding

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Student Guide: Onboarding Remotely During COVID-19

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Introduction

The public service is committed to hiring students during these exceptional times created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it has had to re-think how work gets done in a remote context, your energy, fresh perspective, new ways of solving problems, and savvy in the use of technology is refreshing and rejuvenates the workforce.

If this is your first time working for the public service as a student, welcome aboard! The onboarding process you are about to experience may differ from your other work experiences in two ways. First, working with any level of government comes with some new processes and procedures. Second, you may be experiencing the onboarding process as a remote worker, and in some cases, a combination of remote and on-site worker. 

If you are a returning student, welcome back. You will notice that your onboarding experience will be different than in past years. Although you may not be greeted in a physical workplace, given a tour of the office, and taken to your workspace, you are joining a virtual workforce that presents opportunities to get work done in new ways.

Why is onboarding important during COVID-19?

This is an opportunity to connect with your teammates, employees outside of your team, develop relationships, understand the work of the team, and get to know your department and the government of Canada, all within a virtual context. It is an exciting time to work with new technologies and showcase your talents. Set yourself up for success by keeping an open mind, learning from the people around you, and contributing your ideas. You can make a difference!

This guide is designed to provide you with a positive remote work experience, to support your meaningful work and help you explore future career paths within the public service.

Have a Voice

Your questions, views and ideas matter, and the more you become engaged in the process, the more you will learn about your job, the workplace and how you fit in.  

Connect with your Manager and Team

At the beginning of your work term, discuss with your manager the way that you will stay connected to each other, based on whatever is most comfortable for both of you. Consider exploring new communication methods and tools beyond email and telephone to add variety to your communication. Do the same with your team members. Remain flexible throughout your term – the platforms and tools may change during your placement depending on network access, tools available, etc. Feel comfortable talking with your manager about what tools work for you, how often you’d prefer to connect with your manager and in what way (i.e. videoconference, phone call, text, etc.). Don’t forget, you may already be an expert in this area.

Ask Questions

Don’t hesitate to ask your manager, teammates, and new colleagues any questions you might have about the workplace, working in the federal public service, or anything else that’s on your mind. Remember that every person in your office was once a new employee and they’ll be happy to help!

Take Care of Yourself

There is no one right way to manage your mental health while working from home during a pandemic. The public service has many resources to help employees deal with stress. The Centre of Expertise on Mental Health in the Workplace has resources, tools and services to help employees maintain their mental health. If you are experiencing personal difficulties during your work placement, speak with your manager. They are there to listen and help you find the right supports.

Write it Down

Ask your manager to confirm tasks and decisions in writing and you do the same. Choose a single location to store and manage these tasks. This makes sure that work is clear, you understand what is expected of you, and you have a guide for measuring your progress. When a lot of information is exchanged with you in a conversation, it could be overwhelming, especially when starting a new project. Writing it down will help you stay organized and help document your accomplishments.

Ask for Support

Working remotely comes with its own set of challenges especially when juggling between school, family, friends and work. Let your manager know your circumstances and what assistance you may require at this time to succeed. If you are taking university courses while working, you may find it challenging to balance both, especially during exam time. Talk to your manager about your situation and what flexibilities would be helpful for you to be productive.

Invite Feedback

Ask your manager for preliminary feedback on your performance and take time to clear up any misunderstandings or confusion. This will help you stay on track.

Seek Opportunities

Gaining work experience in the public service goes beyond physical tasks and projects. It is about creating and maintaining connections that will keep you engaged and motivated to work. By expanding your network and building relationships, you will begin to feel part of the workplace, even if it is done remotely.

Reach your Potential

There is a wealth of information and resources for students and new employees and it is growing all the time. Take the time to explore these early on as this will give you a good head start in understanding how the public service works and how to navigate it in a virtual environment.