How to Stand Out and Show Your Value When Working Remotely

Due to the pandemic, many organizations initially switched to remote and hybrid models out of obligation. Now that they're no longer necessary, employers are considering eliminating their remote teams entirely – without realizing what they could lose. 

Learning to stand out when working remotely will help you prove to your employer that you're indispensable to the team. In doing so, you may even discover how to get promoted while working remotely.

Why Is the Remote Work Environment Less Stable?

According to a 2024 report, remote workers are 35% more likely to be fired than those who return to the office.

Not being able to talk in person can easily limit your communication, collaboration, and cultural growth. Many hybrid and remote workplaces have used new technology, virtual huddles, and other strategies to boost engagement. However, remote work still has limitations that many employers cannot look past, including:

• Over-reliance on technology
• Productivity gaps
• Impaired communication
• Accountability challenges
• Networking and job-shadowing limitations
• Time-zone differences and non-traditional schedules
• Feelings of isolation

That said, remote work environments also have many unignorable benefits. Lacking a physical workplace lets employers hire high-quality staff from across the globe without paying for relocation or travel time. Furthermore, now that "the genie is out of the bottle," many talented workers simply won't accept in-person 9-to-5 jobs. Remote and hybrid models work better for many employees' schedules, workflows, and physical capabilities. 

These advantages and disadvantages of remote work leave employers with challenging decisions. Though returning to a pre-2020 work model could benefit their bottom line at first, they may push away some of their best employees. A 2023 survey revealed that 80% of employers regretted their earlier return-to-office plans, largely due to staff turnover. Nevertheless, some employers continue to overlook the benefits and contributions of remote employees – making many positions unstable. 

How to Stand Out When Working Remotely

With dependable productivity, visibility, and skills, you can quickly prove that your remote work is invaluable to your team's workflow. In doing so, you can improve your odds of being promoted and possibly give your entire remote department better job security. 

Check out our best tips to stand out when working remotely. 

Improve Your Visibility and Presence

Depending on your organization's structure, the most that some colleagues may see of you is your name and photo. It's up to you to stand out to your supervisors and coworkers. To do this, make the most of the available opportunities to introduce yourself, leave an impression, and contribute to the company culture.

Consider the following strategies for staying visible in a remote workplace:

• Write a comprehensive bio or "about" page.
• Schedule informal meetings with colleagues to get to know them better.
• Ask questions during meetings.
• Get involved in conversations.
• Attend virtual events.
• Volunteer for new responsibilities.
• Respond to emails and messages as promptly as you can, even if just to acknowledge you received them and that you’ll reply later.
   

Take on Additional Training and Continuing Education

Many industries are rapidly taking on new practices and technologies, which can leave some employees behind – especially in remote environments. Fortunately, training and educational opportunities can help you expand your skill set and make yourself invaluable to your organization. 

Some remote employers offer specific training opportunities, such as when introducing new technology. However, you'll usually have to find your own online courses and resources to get ahead. 

When choosing what to study, consider the hard skills that are essential to your job, such as technology, legal restraints, and best practices. Then, look into any universal soft skills that can help you stand out for promotions, including leadership, adaptability, and conflict resolution. 

Maintain High Productivity

Since remote employers generally can't watch you work, the best way to prove you have a positive workflow is through your productivity. However, "high productivity" looks different across each industry. 

Your on-paper productivity could comprise your number of sales, your speed, your project quality, or a combination of various factors. However, you can't just force yourself to work more productively – lacking motivation can impair your focus and reflect poorly on your finished projects.

Many remote employees re-create the feeling of working in person to boost their mood and productivity. These motivation and focus strategies include:

• Setting alarms for the start of your workday, breaks, and the end of your workday to stay on schedule
• Having a designated and organized space for work
• Getting away from your desk for lunch
• Stepping outside for walks
• Maintaining professional attire 
   

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Show Your Engagement

While productivity reflects your overall output, your engagement includes your commitment, motivation, and contributions to the work culture. Unfortunately, remote work environments may leave you with fewer opportunities to get engaged or collaborate with others. However, the best employees still find ways to stand out and can often encourage others to get engaged, too. 

One of the easiest ways to show your engagement is to contribute to conversations. Many remote organizations use Slack, Microsoft Teams, and other work-from-home apps with designated channels for announcements, departments, and "break room" discussions. Getting involved in both professional and casual conversations can improve your trust and rapport with others on your team.

Proactively Help Others on Your Team

In today's quickly changing industries, information-sharing has become essential to success. Improving your communication on chat platforms and in meetings can make it easier to collaborate with your coworkers and be a valued resource. As a result, you and your colleagues may be more willing to ask for advice or help. 

However, due to the restraints of remote work, you may not want to wait for a challenging project to partner with others. Collaboration as a soft skill requires frequent practice and an understanding of other people's processes. So consider different aspects of your work where you may be able to collaborate, such as by splitting responsibilities or sharing how you responded to a challenging situation.

Discover More Tips for Working Remotely

The best ways to stand out when working remotely depend on your organization and your specific skills. After all, it's about proving that you, in particular, are indispensable. 

Consider your greatest strengths and best workflows in your remote environment. If possible, reach out to your employer to see if they can recommend any training courses or areas of improvement. Then, visit iHire's Job Seeker Resource Center for more work-from-home advice.