Resonance Talent: Meet Will and Hadassah!

How have you found starting a new role remotely?

Will

I think working remotely is a double-edged sword. While there is a slight social factor missing, this is quickly remedied by a work away day or the prospect of moving into a new office in less than two months. On the plus side, I genuinely cannot describe the joy in being able to wake up 10 minutes before your first meeting, not having to step out into the blistering cold, not getting sneezed on by someone on the tube, but just having a lovely quiet day getting work done.

Hadassah  

I felt unprepared for remote work, picturing an entirely different image of my first job despite knowing the role would be work from home to a large capacity after nearly three years into the pandemic. I did not, however, realise how much I would enjoy the flexibility of remote work. I get to be in full control, leaving me with even more time to plan and optimise my work. I do not have to worry about time wasted in travelling and getting ready, and that allows me to focus entirely on the tasks I need to get done.

Any zoom related faux pas?

Will

In my first ever pitch, I sat for half the meeting trying to figure out why my screen was completely yellow. To be honest, I still haven’t completely remedied the situation and sometimes appear in a meeting looking like Homer Simpson. But apart from that, there’s quite a bit of fun to be had on Zoom.  

Hadassah  

I think many of us have faced an awkward encounter or two on the infamous video platform. Although I dread the possibility of beginning a monologue for 20 minutes while I remain on mute accidentally, I anticipate this will not be the biggest concern for most of us. We’ve used Zoom for enough calls over the years to be unfazed by a few embarrassing moments. 

How have you managed the work/life balance?

Will

In all honesty, Resonance handles that for you. The senior team do a great job to ensure that we never come near anything that would resemble burnout. There’s also a fun balance of work and play, when you look at the company away days, drinks tend to start pouring themselves much earlier than expected. It’s also great to be able to see the impact of your work every day, so you often feel like you’re making a difference.

Hadassah

As would probably be expected, starting a new job during a pandemic can make managing your work/life balance a bit more difficult. However, all things considered I believe I have managed to balance this fairly well. Thankfully the workload I am set is not unreasonable, and so by organising and planning my work efficiently I’m able to make sure to almost always complete it within the working day. This allows me to focus most of my non-working time on my personal life and plans.  

What support have you received in starting your new role?

Will

The support systems are fantastic, on your first day you’re introduced to your buddy who gives easy to follow guidance on the company’s inner workings. The senior team is also very approachable and always willing to chat about your work stress or where to take someone on a nice date.

Hadassah 

The team at Resonance has never failed to provide support and foster a pleasant working environment (virtually, that is). Having supportive colleagues can shift the culture of the workplace and has certainly made settling in a lot easier. Of course, there are detailed internal training sessions for career development, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the informal chats with my colleagues as well. From asking my assigned buddy lots of questions on basic admin processes to bringing up all of my silly queries on team catch-ups.

If you could go back and give any advice to yourself in your first week, what would it be?

Will  

The words of wisdom from Eden ring true here; “It’s still your first week.” I think it’s important to remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day, mistakes will happen, and be grateful for the opportunity.

Hadassah 

I would have reminded myself to share more of my ideas, even the ones I convince myself are not worth mentioning. There is so much room for growth and I find myself learning more about B2B tech by the day. Take some time to understand your position at the company, how to implement its core values into your work and strategise. It can take time to adjust to your new role and people realise that. So don’t be afraid to ask questions where you have any doubts. That said, this is still a valuable learning experience as I begin sharing proactive and creative ways to promote a client.