b'Its harder to build a relationship withCustomers and clients through a screen,She says. I want to talk to people inLike Goodman, Weinstein and Rutkovitz feel that the benefits of working remotely Person and get to know them. outweigh the challenges, but wouldnt mind a hybrid environment. All desirePERI RUTKOVITZ more hands-on interactions, whether its to enhance a sales pitch or help diagnose a computer hardware issue. Goodman has been working hybrid, extrovert. Everybody gets sick of staring youre ready and up to date.covering the JCS front desk at the at the screen.For Jennifer Goodman, 48, these issuesRosenbloom Owings Mills Jewish Internet connectivity issues can furtherwerent obstacles when she started herCommunity Center. But with a majoritycomplicate impersonal sales calls new position as reception supervisor forof clients attending their appointments Rutkovitz might get cut off in the middleJCS in August 2021. It was the overallfrom home, the office is quiet. of a pitch and have to repeat herself.concept of working from home that wasPrior to the pandemic, this would be For remote workers, getting to knowhard to wrap her head around.like a doctors office with 10 to 12 people company culture can also be hard That didnt make sense to me. Thatsin the reception area. I thrive off that.everything from whether or not peoplemy home, she says. Youre starting a newI dont think thats ever going to be the use virtual backgrounds on Zoom tojob in your living room, but its not yourcase going forward, Goodman says. Ive organizational hierarchy.job to sit in your living room.yet to see a regular day play out.There isnt the same sense of solidarityBut shes grown to enjoy the freedom because its all text on a screen, Weinsteinand flexibility of working from home,says. If it were in person, it would be and her supervisor made sure shemore personal. met everyone on the team throughMichael Fine, a JCS account representative, recommends employees keep their skills up tovirtual meetings.be ready when they start a new job remotely.More Established, Different Issues Michael Fine, an account representative at JCS, says those who are more seasoned in their careers face different issues in taking remote jobs. They may feel they are proficient in computer work, but hes found that some clients underestimate how fluent they need to be with certain software, such as video conferencing applications. He recommends job seekers refine their skills and utilize all the online resources at their fingertipsYouTube tutorials, materials from the public library and LinkedIn training courses, among others. You have to teach yourself, he says. Do some training and get your skills up to speed so that when you start the job, 32 SHALOM BALTIMORE'