{"id":4275,"date":"2015-01-13T08:12:00","date_gmt":"2015-01-13T12:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/?p=4275"},"modified":"2015-01-13T08:12:53","modified_gmt":"2015-01-13T12:12:53","slug":"kerrys-expert-advice-things-to-do-before-you-start-working-from-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/?p=4275","title":{"rendered":"Kerry’s Expert Advice: Things To Do Before You Start Working From Home"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"images\"<\/a>No commute. No pesky interruptions. It\u2019s just you, your computer, and a cup of hot coffee. The goal of working from home is a worthy one, but getting permission to work remotely is just step one. You need to lay the groundwork now to make a seamless office-to-home transition. AARP\u2019s jobs expert<\/a>\u00a0Kerry Hannon <\/a>explains what to do before making the leap.<\/p>\n

1. Set aside a specific workspace. <\/strong>This helps psychologically, says Hannon, \u201cbut it\u2019s also a good thing if you plan to claim a home-office deduction. You\u2019ll need a designated area.\u201d Visit the IRS website<\/a> for details.<\/p>\n

READ STORY ON ON LIFE REIMAGINED HERE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

2. Plan to put in face time<\/strong>. \u201cYou could be jeopardizing your opportunities to advance at the office because you don\u2019t have the personal connections anymore. You could miss out on promotions and higher salaries, which can rattle right on down to your retirement savings,\u201d says Hannon. Before starting your new arrangement, lay out a schedule with your employer wherein you\u2019ll appear for regular meetings or check-ins, so they know you\u2019re still in the game. If you\u2019re working for yourself, Hannon says the same rule applies. \u201cMeet your clients for coffee,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

3. Reach out to colleagues. <\/strong>\u201cIf you\u2019re remote, it helps to squeeze in time to be with colleagues. They might be envious or resentful of your arrangement, so make an effort to avoid bad blood.\u201d Instead of emailing, make a phone call. Show you\u2019re in the trenches, too, to keep up the camaraderie.<\/p>\n

4. Stay e-networked. <\/strong>Hannon uses LinkedIn groups to stay active in her work community. \u201cYou\u2019ll make virtual new friends and have a place for your work to be validated,\u201d she says, something that\u2019s precious when you\u2019re not getting constant personal feedback.<\/p>\n

5. Set up a retirement plan. <\/strong>This is even more critical if you\u2019re no longer contributing to an employer\u2019s plan. Investigate your IRA and 401(k) options, then plan for your bank to deduct from your paychecks automatically. \u201cWithout someone doing it for you, it\u2019s easy to spend that money before you invest it,\u201d warns Hannon.<\/p>\n

6. Make nice with IT. <\/strong>If you\u2019re switching from office to remote, let your IT team know well in advance. You\u2019ll want to be on their good side on the day you need to issue an SOS. If you\u2019re flying solo, get to know your friendly Genius Bar rep now instead of down the road. \u201cIf they help you, say thanks with a Starbucks gift card,\u201d Hannon says.<\/p>\n

7. Learn web-based meeting programs<\/strong>. Acquaint yourself with Google Hangouts, FaceTime, Skype, and other virtual modes of group communication.<\/p>\n

8. Insure yourself. <\/strong>What if the Fed-Ex guy falls on your steps delivering a work package? Or, heaven forbid, your home office floods? \u201cLook into adding a rider to your existing coverage,\u201d Hannon advises. \u201cIt can be as little as $100 per year, depending on your\u00a0state.\u201d Learn more at the Insurance Information Institute<\/a><\/p>\n

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By Kara Baskin

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