Career development is largely described as an evolving and often ongoing process of choosing, growing, and advancing your career. Business development involves understanding yourself in order to continually assess your strengths and weaknesses, enabling you to build a fulfilling career. In any job, your achievements and success play a major role in shaping your overall career path. But what if you work remotely? How does remote work impact career progression? Here's how to nurture and advance your career while making the most of growth opportunities, regardless of your work location
One of the biggest challenges of remote work is ensuring you're communicating just as much, if not more, than you would in an office setting. This means not only speaking up when you have questions or want to volunteer for a project but also responding promptly to calls and emails. Remote work has emerged as a new frontier for career development with numerous benefits and opportunities for professional growth. According to a recent Global Workplace Analytics report, remote work has increased by 159% over the last 12 years, reflecting a growing trend in the workforce. This shift has been especially beneficial for career advancement, as it allows individuals more flexibility in managing their work-life balance. A survey conducted by Buffer found that 98% of remote workers would like to work remotely at least part of the time for the rest of their careers. This indicates a strong desire for remote work arrangements among employees, highlighting its importance in today’s career landscape. Moreover, remote work has been shown to boost productivity and job satisfaction, ultimately leading to better career advancement opportunities. A report by Owl Labs revealed that companies that support remote work have a 25% lower employee turnover rate than those that don’t. This is attributed to the increased job satisfaction and flexibility remote work provides, leading to higher employee retention rates. Additionally, a Stanford University study found that remote workers are 13% more productive compared to their in-office counterparts, highlighting the positive impact of remote work on work efficiency. These statistics emphasize the importance of embracing remote work as a strategic approach to career development in today’s evolving workplace.
The biggest difference between remote and in-person work is the lack of face-to-face interactions. While you may have video meetings with your boss and team a few times a week, it doesn't match the exposure your in-office colleagues are getting. To avoid becoming "out of sight, out of mind," which could negatively impact your career, do what you can to increase your face time with your team. Proposing or organizing virtual happy hours and occasionally visiting the office (if your company has one) can help you feel like part of the team.
In an office, the in-person time with your manager can help keep you top of mind when opportunities arise. But when you work remotely, you may not be the first person your boss thinks of for key projects, especially if your company has a hybrid work environment. Make it a priority to proactively check in with your entire team to see how you can contribute and stay updated on company initiatives and goals. If you let your boss know in advance how you can add value and what you’re interested in working on, they’ll be more likely to consider you when the right opportunity comes.
In a remote work environment where everyone is working from different locations, it’s easy to get absorbed in your daily tasks and forget to advocate for your career development. If you don’t do it, no one else will. Take time to tell your boss what your career goals and aspirations are and ask for feedback on how you can get there. Ensure your goals are aligned with what your boss expects of you, and be transparent about the process. If you’re aiming for a promotion, figure out what it’ll take to reach the next level, and then create a plan to gain the skills and experience you need.
In a traditional office, you interact with employees from different departments throughout the day, whether it’s eating in the lounge, chatting by the water cooler, or celebrating at office parties. Face-to-face work offers plenty of informal networking opportunities. One of the downsides of working remotely, however, is that remote workers tend to only collaborate with their immediate team, missing out on potentially valuable connections. Intentionally connecting with colleagues outside your usual team can help you build a professional network that can be crucial for your career growth. Consider attending virtual team-building events and volunteering to lead cross-functional collaboration efforts that expose you to different people. Don’t stop at your company—building industry connections can also help advance your career.
To advance your career within your current organization, it’s wise to first figure out what the company values most. For instance, what does your company prioritize in terms of expectations? What key metrics do they use to measure performance? When you know what to aim for early on to be seen as successful in your current position, you can better position yourself for a potential promotion. As a remote worker, aligning your personal goals with the company’s big-picture objectives will set you apart from the rest.
As you grow your career over the years, it’s important to keep track of all your accomplishments, but this is especially true when you work remotely. Not all companies are good at recognizing their remote employees for outstanding work or specific metric-based achievements. As a result, it’s easier for them to overlook all that you’ve accomplished when you’re not in the office regularly. Set up a spreadsheet or personal website portfolio with your major accomplishments and wins, and build it up from one job to the next. Eventually, you’ll have a strong record of how far you’ve come, which can help you figure out where you want to go next.
Whenever there’s a chance to learn more in your role, take advantage of it. For instance, if your boss offers to pay for you to take a series of online courses or send you to a three-day conference, even if it takes you away from your workspace for a short time, seize the opportunity. You’ll likely gain valuable insights, and it will make you a stronger, more informed, and ultimately more valuable employee. Your boss will also be impressed with your growth mindset.
No matter how happy you are in your current position, having a long-term career development plan keeps you from becoming stagnant in your current role and encourages you to think beyond immediate tasks. When you have a vision for your remote career and know where you want to go, you can regularly check in with yourself to ensure you’re aligned with your broader career goals.
Develop your remote career. Whether you’re searching for a new remote job or are currently employed and want to advance your career, it’s crucial to always have the big picture in mind.
