How to Continue Emerging While Practicing Social Distancing

During the Coronavirus pandemic, some of us have the opportunity to work remotely. Not knowing when this will end, most of us as asking this question.

Photo by Csaba Balazs on Unsplash

How can I emerge while working remotely? I‘ve spoken to many remote employees and have heard from almost each one the same message. Here is what they said, “Remote assignment is great but the challenge is in finding new opportunities to move up the career ladder.”

Also, I’ve spoken to some hiring managers and HR representatives about what can one do to find and prepare for new opportunities. Collectively, their answers circulated around “staying engaged”.

What can you do to stay engaged and prepared for your next opportunity? Here are some valuable steps you can take to stay engaged in your current career and prepare for the next one.

Find a Mentor

Mentoring is a good tool to expand your network. Why? It will teach you new skills that may help you to stretch yourself for career growth. Besides, a mentor could be your advocate in case you apply for a new opportunity.

You can list them as a reference in your resume. Mentoring helps you to do things in different ways while you work on your growth. I strongly encourage each one of you to locate a mentor if you haven’t done so yet. 

Make New Connections

I understand it is hard to make connections while working remotely. Most people would like to have face-to-face meetings to connect with others. In any case, that shouldn’t stop you from achieving you goal of emergence. Here is what you can do:

• If your manager allows, seek for project opportunities you can work on with others from different functional areas.
• Join a resource group if you have one at your workplace.
• Use Skype video calls when meeting with others. It may help you with creating a healthy professional connection.
• Reach out to help someone struggling with something you know.
• Let your connections know you are actively looking for developmental opportunities. Ask if they have an opportunity in their areas.
• Job-shadow with someone out of your functional area.

Connecting with others in different functional areas expands your horizon to new experiences.

Develop Your Skills

Make it a goal to develop your skills in your current role. All things considered, use a career worksheet to drive your Development Plan. Certification is another addition to your skillset.

Depending on your desired career, take a certification exam and add the certificate to your resume. Last, make it a daily habit to learn one small skill. It doesn’t matter how small it may be, take the action.

Become the SME

As a subject matter expert in your area, you can expand your network. Without a doubt, many will come to you when they have questions about something you know. Take the opportunity to show-case yourself within your team and other functional areas.

Always remember to mention that you are open to other opportunities in other functional areas. At any rate, do not limit yourself to one area, take the risk and move out of the box. Most of the development happens out of the comfort zone. 

Update Your Resume

Keep your resume up to date, you never know when an opportunity is going to knock at your door. Keep it simple with enough detail of what you have accomplished. Hiring managers want to know what you have accomplished. 

Furthermore, it should tell others about who you are and what you are capable of. Craft it in a way that lists your past accomplishments and what you can bring to the table. I hope you found this resourceful!

Question: What else can you do to market yourself as a remote employee?

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