How to Get Noticed When Working Remotely

There are many benefits to working remotely. However, working from home comes with one major drawback - it's challenging to get noticed. When you're in an office, it's relatively easy to make an impression on your boss. But from home, you need to go out of your way to getting noticed. Find out what you can do to stand out when you are working remotely.

Set Goals and Expectations

Before you start working from home, have a lengthy conversation with your boss. Set your goals and expectations, and have them do the same. As you discuss your work from home role, develop a plan for checking in.

This plan could include video meetings, phone calls, or emails. If you're already working from home, it might be helpful to open the door to this conversation. If your boss doesn't know what you're working on, they won't be able to notice you. To make sure your work isn't ignored, set up weekly calls with your employer.

If your office is close by, you may even opt for an in-person meeting. By showing your face, you become unforgettable. The inconvenience of putting on work pants once a month is well worth the benefit of being seen by your employer.

Build Relationships with Coworkers

If you want your superiors to notice you, you first need your coworkers to notice you. Unfortunately, it's difficult to interact with your coworkers when you work from home. There's no opportunity for water cooler talk, nor can you share a big accomplishment by walking to the next cubicle.

There are a few things you can do to build or maintain your relationships with coworkers. For one, you should make an effort to participate in video calls. Sure, you could sit there with your camera off, making funny faces. But participating will help you get noticed.

When you participate, make sure your comments are professional and relevant. You don't need to talk about what happened last weekend or your new car. Instead, make meaningful contributions to the meeting. Before the meeting begins, make a list of questions you can ask.

Tips for the Video Call

Video call etiquette isn't something anyone knows. In fact, video meetings took off so quickly that most people aren't sure how to conduct themselves on a video meeting.

It's not as difficult as you might think. First, don't monopolize the conversation. Your coworkers and employer don't want to hear your opinion on every minute matter. Only weigh in on a topic when you have something valuable and relevant to share.

Additionally, take the time to compliment your coworkers. If someone did a great job on a project last week, bring it up during the meeting. Or, if a coworker has a great idea, give them credit for it. Even though your employer is being made aware of your coworker's skills, your efforts also make you more noticeable. You prove that you're a team player and that you're very involved.

Have Virtual Coffee

One way to gain attention is to invite a hiring manager or coworker for virtual coffee. When you worked in an office, you probably went out to lunch or coffee with your supervisors or coworkers. That practice doesn't need to come to an end.

Offer to get virtual coffee with someone. Set up a virtual meeting and catch up with them. In doing so, you strengthen your relationship and build your network.

As a side note, you don't need to have an existing relationship with someone to ask them to join you for virtual coffee. There's no time like the present to strengthen your office relationships. And the stronger your relationships, the more likely it is that your employer will notice you.

Offer to Help

If you see someone struggling or someone discussing a challenge with a project, offer to help. Collaboration is something most employers love to see. By offering to help a coworker and following through, you prove your value and make it impossible for your boss to ignore your worth.

Although you can offer to help privately, the best way to stand out is to make the offer in a video meeting or on an email blast. Just make sure you're actually able to help and that you have the right skills for the job. There's nothing worse than an empty offer for assistance.

You should also be the first to volunteer for projects. However, don't take on more than you can handle. Before you offer to work on something, consider your current workload and your time commitment. If you take on too much, you'll burn out, and your performance will suffer.

This tip is difficult because it's about finding the perfect balance. When you work from home, you need to find a way to tell your boss about your accomplishments without boasting.

It's all in your delivery. If you send an email and tell your boss that you just wanted to update them on your tasks, you won't seem arrogant or attention-seeking. On the other hand, sending an email that says, "Look at how great I am," won't help you. Rather, it will make your supervisor think less of you.

To help you remember your accomplishments, keep track of them. Make a weekly log of your achievements and goals. Then, you can share them with your boss when the time is right.

Stay Involved with Activities

As much as you might enjoy the lack of socialization that comes with remote work, you shouldn't close yourself off completely. If there's a work party or another social event, take the time to attend. It's important to stay involved at business events.

Even if you're not local, take a trip to the office for a special event. No matter how far your office is, you should be able to stop in for a holiday party or another get together. While you're in town for the event, be sure to schedule a meeting with your boss.