Don't Let Remote Work Stall Your Career: 7 Expert Tips to Stay Visible and Get Promoted

Working from home has become routine for many professionals, especially since the pandemic. While there are perks like no commute and flexible attire, being out of your superior's sight can lead to being overlooked for promotions and raises.

Is Remote Work Hurting Your Career Growth?

Not all employers have strict office attendance rules, and many employees prefer working from home. However, from a career perspective, this isn't always advisable unless your role is fully remote. Career coach Bastian Hughes recommends showing up at the office regularly—about once a week or even once a month—to build and deepen personal contacts, which is crucial for career development.

The Power of Face-to-Face Interaction

Career adviser Ragnhild Struss emphasizes that video conferencing can't fully replace personal interactions. "Meeting face to face promotes trust, a feeling of belonging, and empathy," she says. In today's digital world, maintaining human presence is becoming the new currency, making on-site employees more likely to be promoted.

Key Strategies to Stay Visible Remotely

• Always turn on your camera during online meetings to ensure you're visible and engaged.
• Be proactive in communicating your work, results, and where you need support.
• Arrange short, informal talks with colleagues and superiors for both coordination and relationship management.
• Show appreciation to colleagues by naming them and specifying reasons, which helps make you more visible by highlighting others.
• Share your motivations occasionally to impress others with your attitudes and stay memorable.

Broaden Your Network and Focus on Reliability

Network beyond your immediate team by initiating idea exchanges with colleagues from other departments. Show interest in the big picture beyond your own tasks. Clearly communicate your availability using tools like Microsoft Teams or Slack, but avoid being permanently online. Struss notes that reliability is the strongest form of visibility for remote workers, so focus on delivering consistently rather than appearing busy.

Avoid Overcompensating and Address Concerns Constructively

Some remote workers feel pressured to answer every email instantly or fill their calendars with meetings, but this isn't necessary. Be confident in your performance and worth. If you feel overlooked, request a face-to-face meeting with your superior to discuss your concerns non-accusatorily, using concrete examples and a constructive approach to find solutions together.