Today, we’re talking about the unique challenges so many of you are facing as a direct result of the pandemic. Some of you continue to work from home, while others have returned 100% to the office. Still others have devised a hybrid model that combines the two.

Specifically, I want to address the challenges of getting acknowledged for your contributions when you aren’t in the office every day – and how to set yourself up for promotions and new opportunities as a remote worker.

A reminder that I offer a monthly job search Masterclass, held on the third Thursday of the month at 4:00 p.m. Eastern. The topic is different each month, and I jam-pack them full of content.

To learn about the next webinar: https://mastercoachwebinars.carrd.com

I have 10 recommendations for getting noticed and setting yourself up for promotions when you work from home. Here we go:

1.    Boost internal communication

This goes beyond the myriad of virtual meetings that most work-from-home employees are burdened with. Rather, this speaks to discussing your work progress and challenges, informing those who need to know of your progress, and making your contributions known in a professional manner.

This can also include in-person or virtual social gatherings. Can you go to lunch with a colleague? Meet a few after work for drinks? Schedule a virtual happy hour?

2.    Volunteer

Just as you would volunteer – in some cases, literally raise your hand – for a project or initiative that interests you, you should do the same thing when working virtually. Don’t wait to be asked – or for the plum assignments to go to colleagues who are in-office.

In most organizations, there are also opportunities to volunteer outside your department or team – find out how to get connected with these opportunities as a WFH employee.

Finally, you can – and should – volunteer to help your coworkers with projects or tasks. This keeps you top-of-mind and allows you to demonstrate your value.

3.    Treat it like a real job (because it is)

Appearances have gotten very slack in the age of COVID. Here’s the thing I have found to be true after working from home for more than a decade: Dressing up for work makes ME feel better about ME. About my work product, my professionalism, my drive and initiative.

If you are working from home, you are saving commute time. Use some of that saved time to dress professionally, fix your hair, and put some makeup on.

The adage of dressing for the job you WANT rather than the job you have still holds true.

4.    Be on time and be professional

If you have a Zoom call scheduled at 4:00, be there. There’s nothing that calls your professionalism into question like being consistently late for meetings.

Make sure the kids won’t be crying nearby, the dogs aren’t barking at the mailman, and your phone won’t ring.

Of course, you can’t eliminate all possible distractions – but you can minimize the chances that they will disrupt your meeting.

5.    Let your boss know

If you see evidence that your boss is leaving you out of important conversations or cutting your input off, have a conversation with him. There is, however, a caveat here: You have to be willing to listen to what the boss says in return.

Perhaps he has noticed that you don’t speak up as much in meetings as you did when you were in the office. Maybe he questions why you chose to continue to work from home once people started coming back to the office — and thinks this is a sign you aren’t as committed as others are.

Logical or not, it is important to have a conversation with your boss to assure him of your commitment to the work, him, and your team.

If you find you are being left out of important meetings held by other staff members, let your boss know about this, as well.

6.    Seek quality over quantity

The way many people are approaching WFH equates to burnout – 24/7 access 7 days a week and constant video meetings are not sustainable.

This is your opportunity to hone your time management and boundary-setting skills to create the work-life blend you desire. Done correctly, your quantity of work WILL increase, and your quality will improve dramatically.

Know when you are most productive for the various types of tasks you do. Tell your friends and family that you are unavailable during work hours except in an emergency. Create a work environment that is comfortable and conducive. Recognize your particular forms of distraction – i.e. Netflix, laundry – and give them their proper place outside of work hours.

7.    Meet with your boss

You need regular meetings with your boss even more when you are working remotely. I highly recommend listening to episode #171 of The Exclusive Career Coach podcast for a deep dive on how to do effective and productive meetings with your supervisor.

Beyond keeping your boss current with your projects and progress, these meetings allow you to tune into your boss’s goals and priorities – which you can then volunteer to help with in a way that best utilizes your talents and passions.

https://exclusivecareercoaching.com/posts/2021-03-31-171-how-to-have-a-successful-11-with-your-boss

8.    Be there in person, when (and if) possible

Are you able to travel to the home office occasionally? Can you meet with colleagues and/or direct reports at their worksite or in a neutral location such as a coffee shop? Can you work in the office sporadically?

A little bit of in-person contact goes a long way.

9.    Forward glowing recognition to your boss

Be sure to let your boss know about favorable comments from clients, vendors, co-workers, and others in your organization. You could send the information in an email with a comment such as,

Dave,

I wanted to let you know how happy ABC Company is with our products and service – here’s a note from the Director of Purchasing!

10. Network outside your department.

Set up lunch dates or virtual coffee meetings with people throughout your organization who would be beneficial to get to know. Keep the relationships you already have in your company going.

Focus on building the relationship, staying present, and finding ways to help so you’re top of mind for recognition and promotion.

Are you in the wrong job that chips away at you every day? The CareerSpring document and coaching program will help you find a job that uses your zone of genius, recognizes your value, and pays you what you’re worth.

If you’re ready to take your job search to the next level by working with a highly experienced professional with a track record of client success, schedule a complimentary consult to learn more: 

https://calendly.com/lesaedwards/zoom-meetings2