By Trisha Plovie, Senior Vice President, Global Future of Work, Robert Half
Remote work remains popular with workers, with more than 60% of professionals we recently surveyed saying they were more likely to apply to a remote job. But one aspect still concerns me: When some employees are on-site while others are not, how can remote workers remain visible and grow in their careers when they are, effectively, “out of sight, out of mind?”
Visibility at work is extremely important for career success —and one of the chief challenges of working remotely. It’s how you are included, recognized and valued by networks within your organization. It’s how you receive proper credit for your work, get considered for advancement and build influence in professional circles.
People working away from the physical workplace can face isolation from the daily work culture, lack of face time with management, fewer informal networking opportunities, time zone differences and challenges with home-based office technologies.
How do I know? I’m one of them, having been fully remote for more than four years and going strong. Along the way, I have developed some tips and tricks that any remote worker can use to remain visible and vibrant, building a career while being physically separated from the workplace.
1. Establish a disciplined mindset
You can go a long way toward bridging the gap between the remote and physical workplace by making your participation appear seamless. This means being on time, or early, for every meeting, reducing potential distractions and sticking to a predictable and transparent work schedule that your colleagues recognize.
Also, you may tend to work longer hours without a commute to break up the workday. Look for new ways to stay efficient and productive while also keeping your work-life balance in mind.
2. Practice ‘high touch’ contact
Giving your manager frequent progress reports on stated projects and goals is a great habit to get into. If you’re a people manager, try to create a cadence of regular check-ins and set expectations for the frequency, mode and ideal timing of communication.
Even when separated geographically, you and your co-workers can find great opportunities to connect and collaborate, like volunteering for cross-team projects and stretch assignments and being active on the organization’s internal social networks.
3. Be a problem solver
Check you have all the tools you need to succeed from your remote office. You may want to invest in a high-quality camera and lighting, headset or extra monitors. Remember that you may need to troubleshoot and test your technology or seek tech support.
4. Build your knowledge along with your networks
Independently pursuing courses and programs for professional development will keep your skills sharp, and joining a local chapter of professional clubs and associations can keep your face-to-face networks hot. You might also enjoy getting involved and giving back to your community.
5. Take care of yourself
You can fight the risk of isolation and burnout with positive practices. I have an app that reminds me to get up and move and serves up small workouts to do during breaks. Think also about physical comfort when choosing an office chair, computer mouse, adjustable-height desk and other ergonomic equipment.
Finally, try not to let household distractions overwhelm you. Aim for consistency and calmness in your environment and take opportunities to step away to meet with friends and colleagues to feed the need for human connection. If isolation is affecting you, consider using a coworking space every now and then.
This is my advice for remote workers seeking to achieve professional parity with on-site coworkers, but the employer holds as much — if not more — responsibility for leveling the playing field. So, if your workplace culture does not support your remote career growth, consider a job change. Robert Half’s experience of placing people into rewarding remote careers can help you match with an employer that will allow you to shine, even from your home office.
Follow Trisha Plovie on LinkedIn.
Looking for remote work?
See Robert Half’s current job listings to find remote jobs that may interest you. You can also upload your resume on our website to be considered for employment opportunities that align with your skills and experience.
