Starting a new job during the pandemic is possible — here’s how my company set me up for success

This article was originally published on Fairygodboss.com.

Starting a new job is stressful. Up the stakes and start a new job remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. As time goes by and remote work continues by necessity, more and more people will be having this experience. Then add in navigating a new large global company (16,000 employees in 31 markets around the world) and the whole process can be a source of major anxiety.

So how did Karishma Rahman navigate these difficult waters when she joined Macquarie Group? The global financial services group has a large portfolio of businesses, including asset management, retail and business banking, wealth management, leasing and asset financing, market access, commodity trading, renewables development, investment banking, and principal investment. She recently told Fairygodboss. “While this was very different to my past experiences, my team did a wonderful job in making me feel welcomed.” Rahman, a Market Data Operations Manager, shared more with us about her experiences as a new employee, what her day-to-day work life entails, and why she joined Macquarie Group. 

How long have you been in your current role, and what were you doing previously? 

I joined Macquarie Group in March 2020 as a Manager in the Americas Market Data Operations division. Prior to joining Macquarie Group, I was a Senior Market Data Analyst at Moody’s for 3 years. 

Tell me a bit about your current role. What are your priorities? 

Market data refers to data and information related to financial instruments and provides the necessary details required to carry out financial research, trading, and analysis. My role as the operations manager is to ensure end-users at Macquarie have the appropriate access to market data products, manage risk associated with third-party vendors, and oversee process workflows related to invoicing and inventory management. 

What were the three most appealing aspects of this job and/or the organization that led you to apply? 

The main three reasons I joined Macquarie include the opportunity to learn and expand my knowledge of market data, strong support for women in leadership, and a very diverse executive team that highlights the firm's commitment to inclusion. It is rare to see an organization value diversity across ethnicity, gender, and age; which I feel is present within the organization. 

Tell me a bit about your first day or week. What kinds of things made you feel comfortable? 

I had a unique onboarding experience. I joined at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic which meant the entire onboarding and training process was conducted virtually. From meeting with my manager and colleagues to learning about the various Macquarie businesses and teams, everything was completed remotely. My manager also prepared a detailed induction checklist designed to help me navigate my first three months at Macquarie. While this was very different to my past experiences, my team did a wonderful job in making me feel welcomed. There were coffee chats and morning catch-up calls which continue to this day that have helped me to learn more about my colleagues without physically being able to meet with them. I am looking forward to a time when I can safely join all of my colleagues at the office but for the time being, we have built a good schedule to share and engage on daily activities, virtually. 

What’s something you think most job seekers don’t know about your company that you think they should? 

Diversity and inclusion are truly embedded within the culture at Macquarie. Discovering the well-established employee network groups at Macquarie has been a great asset to my overall work experience. The groups are highly engaging and promote an inclusive environment. It’s an excellent way to learn more about the organization and participate in various initiatives.