Ask HN: Advice about transitioning to remote role?

3 tiniuclx 7 6/20/2025, 8:47:14 AM
I've been working as a software engineer for just under 7 years, fully on-site but with a remote manager for about half that time. For my next role, I will be fully remote and I'm a bit worried about the transition, particularly when it comes to communicating with future colleagues & also not going stir-crazy from being at home for 40 hours a day.

Any advice is appreciated!

Comments (7)

BrunoBernardino · 2m ago
When I started managing and mentoring people and teams who were starting to work remotely 10-15 years ago, I came up with a phrase that I think captures the gist of it, which others have already mentioned here, but can't be overstated:

"Communication is oxygen for remote teams." As always, there are nuances, like the fact that not everyone enjoys remote work settings, and it's not necessarily the best setting for non-engineering teams. You can find a bunch of ideas online for how to adequately communicate.

For me, async + remote engineering teams are the most joyous and exciting setups!

If you'd like more advice, my email is on my profile.

roland35 · 46m ago
Over communicate! Write a quick doc on any proposal or design you're working on if it's big enough. Post regular updates about progress, even if others don't.

Change up your environment. I sometimes sit downstairs, upstairs, or at a coffee shop.

I track my time so my family knows where I am in my workday. It is easier to work 2x4 hour blocks but life often times breaks that up a bit so I log my time.

codingdave · 1h ago
I wrote up an article trying to answer this early on in the pandemic. I'm not trying to self-promote by sharing this link... but it is a case where the content I wrote a few years back is a direct answer to what you are asking, so I hope this link is taken as intended, just helpful advice:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/all-those-new-working-from-ho...

saluki · 1h ago
I've been fully remote since 2012, you'll get the hang of it.

My teams have used a lot of slack msgs and slack huddles, lots of zoom meetings so everyone feels pretty connected.

It's great if you can meet up together at least once a year, work out of an office together and go out, grab drinks, eat meals together for team building.

You'll need a routine, exercise, taking breaks, leverage flexible hours, take a trip and work remote from somewhere cool and interesting.

Take breaks to cook a meal, laundry, play guitar for 10 minutes, get outside for a quick walk, enjoy your pets, say hi to your family, have lunch with a friend, you won't go stir crazy.

Being remote is one of my favorite things about my career, I love it.

maxcomperatore · 1h ago
Communication is the most important pillar
unfixed · 3h ago
Most likely you will have to write a lot to communicate effectively what otherwise would be some quick in person chat. Also, is more complicated to be aware of what is going on in general. Non verbal communication is basically non existent and is really important to know the temperature of a meeting, for example.

Also, having a space dedicated solely for work and without distractions goes a long way.

Desafinado · 3h ago
Having a family or co-working space available helps.