Mastodawn

Jerry 🦙💝🦙

This site recently scrolled by in my TL about remote work: https://www.remoteonly.org/

I’ve been a remote executive managing a remote team with people all over the world for about 10 years now. Some things in that post are accurate, but many are not what happens in practice. A good example is the benefit from fewer interruptions... I’ve found that to be almost 180 degrees wrong. Interruptions, I’ve found, are far more frequent in remote work settings.

Remote Only

@jerry don't you have more control over the interruptions when remote? Aka, you can just not answer the phone or check slack/email.

fallenhitokiri Sep 20, 2018

@jerry it is surely not as easy as it sounds, but over the last (nearly) 20 years I managed to get to a nearly interruption free day. But this involves a few tradeoffs and a bit patience from my wife, so actually a lot work.

venya Sep 20, 2018

@jerry thanks for the info! But I also had I a question since you manage a remote team and are a remote executive: as someone just starting his infosec career, should I put off thinking about remote work until I’m more experienced (~5-10 years)? Or do you see junior/low level analyst positions as part of these remote companies or teams? I currently work in an office but don’t know if it’s a good idea/a possibility as of right now or maybe not. Thanks.

Wladimir Palant Sep 20, 2018

@venya @jerry From my experience, it very much depends on the company. If the team is mostly (>50%) remote, they will have figured out details like efficient communication and onboarding new people that work remotely. If most people are in the office however, you will always be at a significant disadvantage, which is particularly fatal if you aren't very experienced.

HCS ▋Sep 21, 2018

@venya
It is better to be in a team that is remote-first/remote-only, as they have the communications / structure / culture in place to handle remote employees.
It is good if you have some experience working remotely already.
Being 100% independent learner, self-starter, etc is a must, onboarding/training is quiet difficult remotely even with a system in place for it.
Not impossible but it would be quiet a find. Having work available (writeups, blog posts, code/repos, etc) also helps.

2c.

HCS ▋Sep 21, 2018

@venya Just want to add, I did about a year on my first IT technician/support role for a remote company, then moved on to a security focused product which was also remote. Having the first year working remotely helped a great deal, alongside enthusiasm for the industry and to learn more. But the learning curve was very difficult, with a few people not 'surviving' the onboarding process (or probation period) even with a remote-only company.

venya Sep 21, 2018

@superruserr hey thanks so much for the insight/advice! It really helps. Is the learning curve you spoke of referring to acclimating to the specific modes/channels of communication and business processes within the remote company? Thanks again for investing your 2c. Hopefully I can bring in a multiplied ROI with it 👍🏼

HCS ▋Sep 22, 2018

@venya The learning curve was in getting used to the company and also the technology and required knowledge that I needed to upskill in.

You're welcome :)

Wladimir Palant Sep 20, 2018

@jerry It depends on what you compare to. If the company offers private offices and the company culture discourages walking over for trivial questions - at home you will likely get more interruptions. I used to work for a company that put 50+ people in a single office and encouraged "direct communication." Needless to say, the days where I didn't work remotely were completely wasted.

Annika Backstrom Sep 21, 2018

@jerry I'd say remote work makes it easier to avoid interruptions. You can put your devices on DND and the interruptions go away.

Working in an office lets anyone interrupt you at any time. Working remotely lets you choose when you focus and when you are available.

Threddy the T. rex 🦖Sep 21, 2018

@annika @jerry I struggle to work from home because my wife and daughters lack a DND feature 🤣

Threddy the T. rex 🦖Sep 21, 2018

@annika @jerry for example it’s only 8:30 AM local time and my 3yo has already interrupted me approximately 200 times.

Annika Backstrom Sep 21, 2018

@ThreddyTheTrex @jerry Yeah, I am lucky enough to have an office on the 2nd floor away from the living space, with a keypad on the door.

Threddy the T. rex 🦖Sep 21, 2018

@annika @jerry omg a keypad. 🤣

Annika Backstrom Sep 21, 2018

@ThreddyTheTrex We went from a low-tech solution (sliding lock attachment separate from the door) to the keypad when the office moved upstairs

Threddy the T. rex 🦖Sep 21, 2018

@annika jokes aside, I think that’s a great idea. If I ever want to make working from home a reality I’ll probably need to utilize similar methods.