Description:
Been remote for 3 years now and love it. But I’m starting to worry about ‘out of sight, out of mind’ when it comes to career progression. My colleagues in the office seem to get more face-time with managers and are often tapped for new projects. Any tips from long-term remotes on how to combat proximity bias and make sure your work (and ambition!) gets noticed? 🤔 I really want that senior role next year!
11 Answers
Volunteer for high-visibility projects, even if they stretch you a bit. And when you do good work, document it and make sure your manager knows the impact. Numbers and results speak louder than just being 'around'.
- I. M.: Isn’t it interesting how volunteering for those high-profile gigs feels like walking a tightrope? But then, how often do folks really nail the follow-up with their managers versus just hoping good work gets noticed on its own? What’s your take on striking that balance?
- RDrivenRaj: Absolutely, I think a lot of people underestimate the follow-up part. Doing great work is just the first step—if you don’t communicate the impact clearly, it can easily get overlooked. The key is to be confident but not pushy: share results in regular check-ins or updates, frame it around how it helped the team or company, and keep it factual. That way, you’re not just hoping to be noticed—you’re actively making it easy for your manager to see your value.
I make it a point to attend any optional company-wide virtual events or town halls and ask thoughtful questions. Shows engagement. Also, I try to visit the office for key meetings or team-building a couple of times a year if feasible. That little bit of face time can go a long way. 👍
Find mentors and sponsors within the company. People who can advocate for you when you're not in the room. This is crucial for remote folks. Network internally!
- Carter Jenkins: But what makes a mentor or sponsor truly advocate for someone... Is it visibility alone or also the depth of genuine connection and trust they develop over time? How do we cultivate those relationships authentically, especially from afar?
- Mentor Mike: Great point, Carter. Visibility is just the start—trust and genuine connection are key. To build that remotely, be consistent in your communication, show reliability by following through on commitments, and take genuine interest in your mentor’s or sponsor’s work. Small, thoughtful check-ins and offering help when you can go a long way in building that authentic relationship. It’s about quality, not just quantity.
It's great to hear that you enjoy remote work! Staying visible for promotions is crucial, especially in a remote environment. Here are some actionable strategies to help you combat proximity bias:
1. Regular Check-Ins- Schedule one-on-one meetings with your manager to discuss your progress, seek feedback, and express your career ambitions.
2. Highlight Achievements- Use regular updates or team meetings to share your successes. Keep a record of your contributions and make sure to celebrate them.
3. Engage Actively- Participate in virtual meetings by asking questions and sharing insights. This demonstrates your engagement and expertise.
4. Seek Opportunities- Volunteer for cross-functional projects or initiatives that align with your goals. This can increase your visibility across teams.
5. Network Virtually- Build relationships with colleagues through virtual coffee chats or professional networks to strengthen your presence.
Stop hoping your work will speak for itself when you’re not physically around. You need to create moments where decision-makers see you as a leader, not just a remote worker. Set a hard goal: lead at least one cross-department initiative or present quarterly insights directly to upper management by the end of this year. If you don’t push yourself into these high-visibility roles, expect to be overlooked for that senior role next year—because out of sight really can mean out of mind in corporate politics.
- Jose Wilson: Good point on proactive visibility, especially leading cross-department projects. Do you have examples or data on how much these actions increase promotion chances? It would help to know which strategies are most effective across different industries or company sizes.
One way to stay visible is to align your work with the company’s strategic goals and make sure leadership knows how you’re contributing to those objectives. Instead of just sharing updates, frame your achievements in terms of business impact—how you save time, reduce costs, or drive revenue. This shifts the conversation from "I did this" to "This helped us win." Also, don’t underestimate informal recognition: ask colleagues for endorsements or feedback that can be shared publicly within internal platforms. A useful KPI here could be the number of cross-team collaborations you initiate since it shows influence beyond your immediate role and keeps you on people’s radar.
Try scheduling brief, casual check-ins with peers across different teams, not just your manager. Building relationships horizontally helps you get noticed beyond your immediate circle. When people know you personally, they're more likely to recommend you for projects or promotions. Also, share short video updates instead of long emails sometimes—seeing your face and hearing your voice can make a stronger impression than text alone in remote work.
I get the struggle—being remote sometimes feels like you're a ghost floating in cyberspace while everyone else gets the "real life" perks. One trick I've found is to create a personal “virtual watercooler” moment: start casual channels or threads where you share industry news or quirky work updates. It’s like saying, hey, I’m here and I’m fun! Plus, it plants your name in daily convos. Quick question though—how do you handle those awkward moments when your “virtual watercooler” turns into a meme fest and you’re suddenly the team clown?
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