Because of coronavirus, a lot of people are suddenly finding themselves working from home for the first time. Technology makes this possible. But beyond the technology you\u2019ve already used in your job on a regular day, how can you use tech to make it easier to work remotely?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are a few tech tips, tricks, and hacks\u2014from Muse employees, Muse career coaches, and other experts\u2014that will make working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic easier and a little more fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking for general work-from-home tips? Read more here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Many workplaces already use Slack<\/a> for text-based communication, but the software does much more than that. (Full disclosure: Slack<\/a> is a current client of The Muse.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shayne Sherman, CEO of TechLoris<\/a>, recommends using Slack for online meetings as well. \u201cThe video calling with Slack allows you to easily transition from a chat to a video call while the chat remains open so you can still take notes.\u201d In addition, Slack\u2019s screen share function allows everyone on the call to make notes on the screen, cutting down on misunderstandings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Outside of meetings, Slack can also be used to recreate some semblance of being in the office. \u201cWhenever possible, ask your questions in a group channel,\u201d says Richard Dillman, Senior Application Developer at The Muse, who works remotely full time. \u201cAsking in private chats is like whispering in someone\u2019s ear, while [doing the same] in the team room is the equivalent of spinning your chair around and asking. The ability to overhear conversations and possibly contribute is the biggest thing missing in WFH.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Loom<\/a> is a browser extension that lets you share your screen and record video messages. You can do both at the same time with their camera bubble feature that shows you talking off to the side of your screen recording.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhether you need to present something, ask for help on something, or just share something that you came across, you can use Loom to send it to your team and they can view it at a time that is convenient for them,\u201d says Kiara Martilla, founder of the public relations and social media agency Kiara Jennifer & Co<\/a>. That can mean fewer video conferences for you and your team, and it\u2019s also more inclusive of anyone who can\u2019t be online all day\u2014folks who have to step away to take care of their kids, for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also use Loom to \u201csend progress updates [and] morale boosting messages to managers, clients, and teams,\u201d suggests Muse career coach Evangelia Leclaire<\/a>, founder of Ready Set Rock<\/a>, which offers business and job search seminars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another use for Loom: building out a repository of how-to, training, and FAQ videos, Leclaire says. This can be especially useful now, when in-person trainings are impossible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Loom has made their technology much more accessible<\/a> in response to COVID-19, by increasing what you can do with the free version, reducing prices, and even eliminating fees for the education sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your company uses Google Drive and Slack, you can integrate them to automatically import any files when you share them. Just share a Google Drive link on Slack and Slack Bot will automatically ask you if you want to integrate. If you do, Slack will notify you if anyone in the channel you\u2019re sharing with doesn\u2019t have permission to access the document. You can also get Slack notifications of comments and changes to the document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Installing Slack\u2019s Google Calendar App<\/a> will connect your schedule to the platform so it can let your coworkers know when you\u2019re in a meeting if they try to message you\u2014helpful when there\u2019s no in-person visual cue (you\u2019re not at your desk) that you\u2019re not available. You can also turn on Calendar notifications to receive Slack messages when your next calendar event is about to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asana<\/a> is another tool that can integrate with the Google Suite to boost productivity. \u201cThere is a free version that you can integrate with Google Calendar to keep on top of all of your to-do items and priorities along with due dates,\u201d Martilla says, allowing you to see at a glance on your calendar which tasks and projects you need to complete when. \u201cThat way when a Netflix binge feels tempting, you won’t leave anything forgotten and undone.\u201d (Full disclosure: Asana<\/a> is a current client of The Muse.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zenware is a type of software that cuts out all the excess bells and whistles (toolbars, icons, side rails, etc.) and only shows you what\u2019s important, says Kathryn Vercillo, author of Internet Addiction<\/em><\/a>. For folks who need to do heads-down writing work, try WriteRoom<\/a> ($9.99 in the Mac App Store), which blocks out your whole screen so all you see is the text you\u2019re writing, or OmmWriter<\/a> ($6.69 for Mac or PC), which turns off email and chat notifications and lets you choose a soothing background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOne of my favorite tech apps is called \u2018SelfControl<\/a>,\u2019\u201d says Muse career coach Joyel Crawford<\/a>. \u201cI can put all of my websites that I frequently visit that rob me of my productivity time and set a schedule for the app to block those sites. It\u2019s terrific when you have a tight deadline to make.\u201d So if you know your biggest time wasters\u2014for me it\u2019s Twitter, but for you it might be Instagram, the news, or even your personal email\u2014you can temporarily block these sites when you need deep focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The app is free, but it is only available officially for Mac. Since it\u2019s open source, however, it\u2019s been adapted for Linux and Windows<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having trouble getting a good camera angle for your Zoom meetings? Once your camera is on in Zoom, click on the small caret next to the camera icon and you\u2019ll see the option to enable one of its virtual backgrounds, including an outer space view and a shot of the Golden Gate Bridge. You can also upload your own images to use as backgrounds for future meetings. (Note: To use this feature, your computer needs to meet certain minimum system requirements<\/a>.) Not only can you have some fun with this, but your coworkers don\u2019t have to know you haven\u2019t tidied up your apartment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PinItTo.Me<\/a> is a simple (and free!) tool that lets you and a team collaborate as though you\u2019re using Post-Its on a board, Dillman says. Everyone can create their own notes and drag and drop them across the virtual corkboard. You can use it for brainstorming, scheduling, retro meetings, or anything else you\u2019d use a bunch of Post-Its for. Plus each corkboard has its own unique URL you can come back to later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like many organizations, Sina Khanifar\u2019s company, Waveform<\/a>, has moved completely remote and employees are holding all of their meetings on Zoom. \u201cWe’re having a lot of fun with Snapchat’s desktop SnapCamera app<\/a>,\u201d Khanifar says, which applies Snapchat Lenses to your computer\u2019s webcam so they can be used on Zoom, Google Hangouts, Skype, and other video platforms. \u201cIt doesn’t make work from home more productive, but it definitely makes it more fun.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n You don\u2019t need a Snapchat account to use Snap Camera, and there are tons of different filter options. In any given meeting one person might be underwater, someone\u2019s eyes might be popping out of their head, and others might show up as aliens. Plus, it\u2019s free and easy to set up. (Pro tip: Double check that you don\u2019t have any crazy filters on before<\/em> you start a meeting where that wouldn\u2019t be appropriate.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read more creative work-from-home tips here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Since a lot of our face-to-face interaction for the time being will be through video, getting your videos to look and sound better can make the experience more pleasant for everyone and ensure that you\u2019re being understood by your colleagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Think of your meetings like you would a video interview<\/a> (albeit a bit less formal). Try to use either natural or softer lighting and if possible, position your lighting source in front of you and your computer. This will cut down on glare and keep your coworkers from feeling like you\u2019re talking to them from the shadows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re on video chat, use headphones with a microphone if you have them, especially if your home has a lot of background noise (i.e. roommates or kids). And pay attention to where your microphone lands\u2014if your microphone is rubbing against your shirt or a beard for the duration of the meeting, others on the call will be able to hear it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re using headphones and a microphone but still having trouble with audio in your video calls, you can also try Krisp<\/a>. Krisp is an app that will mute background noise during your calls. They\u2019ve introduced a free tier and cut their prices during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you\u2019re used to working with a bigger screen than your laptop has, there\u2019s an easy fix that you can implement right from your couch. Consider using your TV as your desktop or second monitor,\u201d says Amanda Cross, Senior Manager at Vizio<\/a>. All you need is an HDMI cable (if you don\u2019t have a spare, check what wires you already have plugged into your TV\u2014you might already have a suitable one) or if you\u2019d like to go wireless, you can use a Chromecast, AppleTV, or other streaming device. (Full disclosure: Vizio<\/a> is a current client of The Muse.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n For video meetings, you\u2019ll want to position your laptop in front of the TV instead of off to the side. Your webcam will still be on your laptop and you don\u2019t want your coworkers to see only the side of your face for an entire meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOverworking as a remote person is a real thing and happens to most of us,\u201d Dillman says. Without the visual cues provided by people around you packing up and leaving for the day, it can be easy to get absorbed in your work and stay at it far longer than you would have in the office. \u201cI personally have smart lights to brighten and dim along with the sun,\u201d Dillman says. \u201cSo I have visual cues when I should start [and] stop work. Or I will forget and work till 2 AM.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t have smart lights, or can\u2019t get them while still adhering to the public health guidelines in your area, try to work in a room where you can get natural light, so the fact that it\u2019s starting to get dark outside will tell you it\u2019s time to shut down for the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Originally posted at The Muse Blog<\/a> by Regina Borsellino<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>https:\/\/www.themuse.com\/advice\/tech-tips-work-from-home-coronavirus<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Because of coronavirus, a lot of people are suddenly finding themselves working from home for the first time. Technology makes this possible. But beyond the technology you\u2019ve already used in your job on a regular day, how can you use tech to make it easier to work remotely? 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Try a Different App for Meetings<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
2. Recreate a \u201cLive\u201d Office Environment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
3. Share Video Messages<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
4. Create Training and Presentation Videos<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
5. Share Files Easily<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
6. Make Your Calendar More Visible<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
7. Stay on Top of Your To-Dos<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
8. Increase Your Focus and Productivity<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
9. Block Your Biggest Distractors<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
10. Pretend You\u2019re in Outer Space<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
11. Brainstorm Better<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
12. Liven Up Your Video Calls<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
13. Pay Attention to Your Lighting<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
14. Use Headphones With a Microphone<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
15. Cut Out Excess Background Noise<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
16. Hack Yourself a Second Monitor<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
17. Give Yourself a Signal to Stop for the Day<\/h4>\n\n\n\n