More than 50% of employees believe that working remotely or from home makes them more productive. And to go with this, 80% of companies are investing in conferencing software. This means that there’s a rational belief from employees on one side and practical steps taking place on the other side from companies.
Studies bear this out, so you can be sure that working off-site (either at home or at other locations) is no fad and it’s here to stay.
Companies are already facing difficulties in calling back employees to offices. This means the future is bright and promising because of the widely available career development opportunities as a remote worker. However, we cannot forget that it brings in some new challenges. When building a remote career, focus has to be on long-term goals. This is why you need to build a career development strategy that can autopilot anyone's professional growth and provide optimal job security. Here’s how you can achieve that in simple steps.
1. Prioritize remote communication
Effective remote work demands an improved level of communication. Being responsive, not just in voicing questions or expressing interest but also in timely email and message responses, is a very important factor. It reflects responsibility and your engagement level as a remote worker. The mindset in many places is still that remote workers are not as present as they should be. So to overcome this, show an ability to manage tasks and handle new challenges in every situation.
One of the common challenges in ensuring seamless communication is IT support. And although online support is available within almost every company these days, there are times when it’s not available. It might be due to the non-availability of a resource at a particular point in time. Or it could also be some technical problem that needs physical presence.
In any case, knowing the basics of your IT setup is very handy. For example, if you know how to update your PC, Mac or iPhone, you’ll be more self-reliant. This is an important part of remote work because all our devices are crucial parts of working from home. But set yourself up to take account of limitations that may exist. If we need to take a backup of our iPhone, then the regular limit of 5 GB of cloud storage is not enough. So if you want iPhone backup, you can
use iCloud temporary storage for 21 days. Just remember that the iCloud temporary backup is only available for 21 days and is then automatically deleted after the period is over. And make sure you delete multiple or redundant files before making a backup.
2. Increase visibility
As a remote worker, you need to counteract the ‘out of sight’ challenge. Remember that remote work lacks in-person interactions. To increase virtual facetime, you should regularly attend video meetings. Do this but don't limit yourself to it.
The importance of occasional in-office visits cannot be ruled out, so make those visits every now and then. Proactively engaging with the team helps in building a sense of belonging and prevents isolation from negatively affecting career progress.
3. Proactively engage with the team
In remote settings, proactive engagement is an important success factor. Regular check-ins with the entire team will help you stay informed about company initiatives. By communicating your capacity to add value and putting across your interests, you position yourself favorably for future opportunities and continue strongly as a remote worker.
4. Speak about your career aspirations
Take charge of your professional journey by articulating your career goals to your manager. Seek feedback on how to achieve these goals. This will help in creating an alignment that meets organizational expectations.
Transparent communication about hopes and aspirations will set the stage for collaborative career growth.
5. Network beyond immediate colleagues
Don’t have a laid-back approach and start thinking your job is safe. Remote work is still evolving so you need to show presence everywhere and develop highly meaningful connections outside the regular network. So take part in virtual team-building events and collaborate across departments. Building a
diverse professional network, both within and outside the company, enhances career prospects and opens up more opportunities.
6. Align with company values
Advancing within any organization requires an understanding of its values. So identify what it prioritizes in terms of deliverables. Develop a clear understanding of the performance metrics. And you should align your goals with these values, aiming to place yourself as an integral contributor to the company's objectives ... even if you work remotely.
7. Document your achievements
Overcome challenges in receiving recognition for accomplishments by meticulously documenting achievements. Create a comprehensive portfolio. It should cover all your successes and advancements. This record will serve as evidence of growth, and help with future decisions.
8. Focus on lifelong learning
Use every learning opportunity that comes your way! Take part in online classes or company conferences. Continuous learning enhances skills, and positions you as a valuable asset for the company. A proactive approach to self-improvement will also resonate positively with managers and colleagues alike.
9. Have a vision for long-term career planning
Develop a long-term plan to prevent complacency. Focus highly on regularly assessing your progress against this vision, which will keep you motivated and focused on achieving your aspirations. Although this is the final point we're making, one of the most important strategies for long-term success.
Conclusion
Career development is an ongoing process and because remote work will become the norm in the coming years, you need to plan well. You need to be strategic, too, so long-term success is guaranteed. Professional growth as a remote worker might look like an uphill task to you in the beginning, but if you follow the points we've made here, it can be made easier.
Almost one quarter of the US workforce was working remotely in 2023 ... so there’s more trust in this trend than ever. And the time is ripe to build career growth strategies around it.
