Making Remote Workplace Friends
  • Home
  • Job Board
  • Career Advice
  • Newsletters
    • Job Seeker Newsletter
    • Employer Newsletter
  • Recruiting Services
    • Recruiting Services Contact
  • Explore More
    • About NexGoal
    • Contact Us
    • NexGoal Team Members
  • Home
  • Job Board
  • Career Advice
  • Newsletters
    • Job Seeker Newsletter
    • Employer Newsletter
  • Recruiting Services
    • Recruiting Services Contact
  • Explore More
    • About NexGoal
    • Contact Us
    • NexGoal Team Members

Remote

  • Matt Hendershott
  • Culture, Mental Health, Networking
  • July 20, 2022

Making Remote Workplace Friends

The rise in remote work brought a lot of convenience for workers, but one of the few downsides is the lack of social connections. While an open office could be a distraction, the ability to talk with coworkers and partake in “water cooler” chat was a perk of going to work.

Those relationships are much harder to form in remote positions, especially if you never meet your coworkers in person. Having a friend at work is good for both your personal morale and for the company itself. Business News Daily cited a 2021 Workplace Friendship & Happiness survey that found the following:

“57% of people say having a best friend in the workplace makes work more enjoyable, 22% feel more productive with friends, and 21% say friendship makes them more creative.”

Just because you’re not working in the same office doesn’t mean you can’t find a work BFF, however. Online communities are common on message boards, in video games, and in fantasy sports. You can form meaningful work friendships, too. It may take a little extra effort, but if you follow these tips, you can make workplace friends with ease!

Why are virtual relationships more difficult?

Harvard Business Review found that many workers view the virtual connection as a barrier to forming real friendships. When you aren’t spending time directly interacting with someone, you may miss out on visual clues that are often vital in interpersonal relationships. The researchers at HBR state that coworkers need to build cadence with one another, essentially a good back-and-forth based on being able to predict behavior. You can build that cadence virtually, it just takes a little more time and effort than it would in person.

See what the company can do

Hopefully, your organization has adapted to the remote atmosphere and can provide a welcoming remote onboarding. A good onboarding not only gives you valuable insight into the company’s culture but can fill you in on any virtual events. Your company or department may do virtual get-togethers, or maybe even after-work virtual happy hours.

Employers Advantage believes a savvy workplace can take even more steps to provide an atmosphere conducive to friendship. Employers can arrange all sorts of remote gatherings without the bosses being present to provide a safe space for employees to bond and discuss without an authority figure nearby. If your workplace uses Microsoft Teams or Slack, employers can create channels for similar interests, like sports talk or running.

Find a buddy

If you’re in luck, your company may provide you with a work buddy. If not, don’t be afraid to ask for one. If you’re new to the company, having an experienced coworker that isn’t your direct supervisor can be a great way to learn the ins and outs of the organization, and they could become your first friend.

Career coach Octavia Goredema suggests looking through your employee handbook or company website to find resource groups, mentorship programs, or volunteer opportunities. She also thinks one of the best options is to ask for other recent hires as a buddy.

“Someone who is just a few months ahead of you has a perspective that will be so helpful,” –Octavia Goredema

Take initiative

Maybe you don’t work for a large company with a lot of resources dedicated to these types of group activities. That’s okay! You can still make friends. You’ll just need to take initiative.

Ask your supervisor if there are people they think would be good connections for you. Go out of your way to strike up conversations. When you’re finishing a meeting or discussion, ask personal questions or try to learn about shared interests. It may be awkward at first, especially without physical interaction, but these same principles apply to in-person conversations as well. Someone needs to be the first one to dig a bit deeper, it may as well be you.

If you need initial ice breakers, Employers Advantage suggests asking a coworker simple questions rather than a supervisor. For example, asking about dress code expectations. These innocent questions allow you to build a dialogue, and the person being asked feels valued. This can lead to other informal chatting down the road.

The Muse suggests if your team doesn’t have planned virtual activities or communication channels to be the one to plan them. These virtual events can be one-on-one or with a larger group and don’t need a specific purpose other than general chitchat and a place to set work aside for a moment. These conversations will not only allow you to get to know your coworkers but can increase team morale.

Finally, Psychology Today believes being open to sharing more of yourself and offering praise will go a long way. If you’re willing to share, others will feel more comfortable sharing, and sharing and offering praise will make them feel more human. The smallest bits of effort can make a fellow employee feel more appreciated.

Wrap up

Just because you don’t work in the same building doesn’t mean you can’t find a work bestie to chat with, support, and help each other get through the day. Many companies offer resources to help you form relationships, and you may even find a dedicated work buddy. But you always have the power to take initiative and create a space for friendships to blossom. Even the smallest bits of effort will be noticed.

Before You Go
View Current Job Openings
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Follow NexGoal on Twitter
“Like” NexGoal on Facebook
Connect with NexGoal on LinkedIn

Read More
  • Jake Pshock
  • Career Advice, Career Growth, Data & Trends, Job Search Tips, Remote Work
  • December 29, 2020

Recapping Our Top Five Articles From 2020

Despite the rollercoaster ride of 2020, we wanted to take the time and thank our readers, the candidates, and the clients we work with daily.

As we get ready to build new momentum in 2021, we reflect on this past year and the articles that resonated most with our readers. Join us as we review five of our most popular articles from 2020:

Six Resume Mistakes To Avoid in 2021


Whether you are looking to get started on your first job search out of college or looking to change careers, having an up-to-date resume is imperative. Recently, our friends at Nexxt revealed six of the most commonly overlooked mistakes made by job-seekers on their resumes. From overemphasizing soft skills to failing to provide clear timelines, falling victim to these mistakes will prove costly to your shot at the job.

Setting Up An Effective Remote Workspace


According to SHRM’s COVID-19 Business Index, 64% of U.S. employees are currently working remotely. With the massive shift to the virtual working world, it’s not easy to maintain productivity and passion for your work. Are you one of the many individuals drastically impacted by COVID-19 and all its complications?

Although being forced to work from home was beyond your control, there are still elements you CAN control for a productive workday. Take these FIVE steps today!

Mistakes to Avoid For A Strong First Impression

Getting judged based on your appearance, mannerisms, or body language occurs in a matter of seconds. Providing a strong first impression is critical in job interviews as it often sets the tone for the conversation and the direction it will take. With no ‘second chance,’ we want to look beyond the traditional tips of arriving on time and dressing appropriately. Read below as we review five of the most commonly made mistakes made in first impressions, as told by various millionaires across the country.
*Key examples and necessary adjustments included*

Identifying Your Ideal Career Fit


According to a recent Toll-Free Forwarding study, only 10% of Americans will land their conceived ‘dream job’ that they identified at a young age. Of that 10%, just 64% of those journeys play out to meeting their surmised expectations. Furthermore, 61% of those remaining do not regret the divergent direction their career path took. So, what conclusions can be made? Do not fear the ‘no’ or the prospect of change when it comes to finding your ideal career fit.

If you require a little guidance when it comes to your career indecision, here are three thoughts you must consider when pursuing a complementary role for your next career:

Avoid These Four Mistakes in Your Next Video Interview


Emanating from the onset of COVID-19, thousands of companies continue to operate under the work-from-home order. Unemployment remains high, and many organizations rely heavily on phone and on-screen meetings for their hiring efforts.

Are you missing the mark when it comes to effectively grabbing the hiring manager’s attention? While your content preparation remains unchanged in terms of having examples, answers, and questions readily available, your interview’s virtual aspect brings new challenges you may not expect.

Courtesy of CNBC Contributor John Bowe, we review four of the most annoying mistakes made in video interviews, as revealed by Zoom’s Head of Global Talent Acquisition, Phil Haynes.

Wrap Up

Thanks so much for sticking with us in 2020! If you’ve missed out on any of these career tips, we hope you take the time to review them today!

Let us know what kind of articles were your favorite and what you would like to see from our content team in the new year!

Before You Go
View Current Job Openings
Follow NexGoal on Twitter
“Like” NexGoal on Facebook

Connect with NexGoal on LinkedIn

Read More

More Career Tips

  • Increasing Your Visibility At Work
  • Industries Still Hiring Remote Workers In 2023
  • Captivate Your Audience With These Public Speaking Tips
  • Self-Care Tips To Ease Your Job Search Blues
  • Dispelling Modern Job Search Myths

Featured Jobs

Medical Sales Executive
Chicago, IL

Medical Device Sales Representative
Orlando, FL

Mortgage Loan Officer
Atlanta, GA

Mortgage Loan Officer
Phoenix, AZ

Respiratory Sales Specialist
Albany, NY

About NexGoal

NexGoal is a corporate recruiting firm placing athletes and job seekers with the athlete mindset in their next career.

1471 Lear Industrial Parkway Avon, Ohio 44011

1-877-2-NexGoal

Recent Articles

  • Increasing Your Visibility At Work
  • Industries Still Hiring Remote Workers In 2023
  • Captivate Your Audience With These Public Speaking Tips
  • Self-Care Tips To Ease Your Job Search Blues
  • Dispelling Modern Job Search Myths

Search NexGoal

Connect With Us On Social!

© 2009 NexGoal. All rights reserved.

  • Contact
  • Job Board
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service