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Many of my clients want to continue working remotely ever since being required to during the pandemic. I get it. For those of us who like working remotely (myself included), it’s great.
But there’s some bad news. According to the Nashville Business Journal, many companies are starting to call their employees back to their on-site offices. One of those companies is Zoom, which I find hilariously ironic.
The good news, however, is smaller businesses are doing what they can to make sure remote work continues. It benefits them because it provides them a larger talent pool in an often-competitive marketplace.
How to continue working remotely
If you want to continue working remotely (or you want to start working remotely in your current job), here are some ways to perhaps convince your employer to let you continue, or at the very least, extend your remote work situation.
1. Double down on your own management of your role
Instead of relying fully on your supervisor to manage your role for you, agree to direct your own work even more than you currently are. Ask for a two-week trial period to see how it works. If it frees up some headaches for your supervisor and increases your productivity, he or she will likely agree to go to bat for you for continued remote work.
This shouldn’t be too hard for someone who already has a good work ethic, takes initiative, works well alone, manages their time well, and exhibits the positive traits of a self-starter.
2. Over communicate
Keeping your supervisor in the loop and regularly updated about your goals, tasks, timelines and milestones, will ease his or her mind about your productivity. An added benefit for you is your supervisor will be less likely to give preferential treatment to your in-office colleagues and peers. This is referred to as, “proximity bias.”
When it comes to communicating, there is no such thing as over-communication. You must advocate for yourself. Make sure you are clear in your information and updates.
3. Provide results
Just like I’ve shown you the importance of providing results in your resume, you must continue to do so in your job. This is especially true when working remotely. Being able to show how you’ve impacted your employer’s bottom line speaks volumes!
Make sure you are collecting data on the results of your efforts. The data should be obvious and objectively measurable. Record, document, and quantify your results to share with your supervisor, showing your progress and addressing any obstacles you encountered.
A word of caution about working remotely
Working remotely can do you a major disservice in the area of professional networking. It’s easy to network naturally on-site of your workplace, but when this is removed, you risk losing your network. Plus, being isolated can become a habit. Not building and maintaining your network, both in person and remotely, can sabotage your career. So, what should you do?
In-person networking opportunities
Plan to have lunch at least once a week or once a month with a colleague from your current company, or with someone in a similar industry where you’re physically located.
Attend local networking events and learning events, such as panels or talks on topics you’re interested in.
Schedule informational interviews with people you’d like to learn more about their career path.
Virtual networking opportunities
Attend virtual networking events and conferences.
Participate in online webinars, courses, and workshops.
Schedule a Zoom lunch meeting with a far-away colleague where you chat with each other online while eating lunch.
Is it time to change jobs?
Many of my clients prefer working remotely so much, they’re willing to change jobs to be able to continue doing so, which is why they’ve hired me.
In fact, there are a lot of people fleeing companies requiring in-office visibility. The largest groups fleeing in-office environments for remote opportunities are women, millennials, and high performers, with high-performers being the largest of these three groups.
Employers would do well to find ways to keep and attract such employees, either by continuing to allow for remote work, or by providing a hybrid option.
If you want to continue working remotely, and your employer is not willing to allow you this opportunity, perhaps it’s time to change jobs. Benefits of changing jobs include:
- more opportunities for working remotely
- opportunity to learn new skills and build your resume
- a better work culture
- an expanded professional network
- opportunity for a larger pay increase instead of just a standard annual cost-of-living increase
Are you ready for something new and need help finding it? Click here to schedule a complimentary initial consultation with paNASH.
