As the workplace continues to shift during the pandemic, there have been many conversations centered around working from home and hybrid schedules. One of the most significant issues is that workers that choose (or have the opportunity) to return to the office can gain more attention from their superiors and leadership teams. As a result, those working on-site may have a better shot at receiving a raise or even a promotion. So, if you cannot head back to the office, here are four ways you can stand out to your employer while WFH.
Turn your camera on during meetings
If you are still working from home, it’s time to turn your cameras back on during meetings. At the beginning of the pandemic, almost everyone was eager to turn their cameras during this challenging transition. However, as the mandatory lockdowns and working from home persisted much longer than anticipated, most companies became a little more relaxed about Zoom meeting etiquette. Well, if you want to stand out to your employer while you work remotely, turn your camera back on.
Putting a face to a name is an excellent way to help you stand out and make you more memorable. Having your camera on is especially important when you are meeting with people outside your team. If you’re meeting with someone from the leadership team or even just another department, make yourself visible! Having your face front and center will make networking with others within your company easier, and ultimately, help your colleagues and superiors remember you.
Show up a few minutes early to meetings
One of the worst drawbacks of working from home is the lack of social interaction with your co-workers. Those watercooler conversations are hard to come by when you are not face-to-face with your colleagues. You miss out on a lot of interactions, small talk, and even bonding. To combat this, log onto your video meetings a few minutes before they start. Being early to these Zoom or Teams meetings will give you the opportunity to chat with your colleagues and superiors, helping you establish relationships with others within the company. Building these relationships and rapport with your co-workers will make it easier to stand out while working from home.
Be engaged in your meetings
Most of us have seen the memes and jokes (like the one below) making fun of the people that say “goodbye” or “thank you” at the end of a meeting, so they feel they contributed. Well, instead of keeping your mouth shut throughout the meeting, start engaging and actively contributing. Of course, this depends on the meeting, but if it’s a collaborative meeting amongst your colleagues, don’t be afraid to speak up! You probably have a lot of fantastic ideas and knowledge to share with the team. If you want to get noticed by your employer while working from home, it’s time to start being an active participant in your video meetings.
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Reach out to teammates and co-workers
Finally, if you want to stand out to your employer while you WFH, reach out to your teammates and co-workers. Sure, everyone has a group of people that they work with regularly; but, if you want to make a splash with your boss or superiors, try reaching out to others within the company. Reach out to cross departments and introduce yourself (if you haven’t already met). Have a conversation, see how your role can impact their position or department, and offer to lend a hand. Volunteering to assist with company-wide projects or offering your assistance is an excellent way to earn the attention of your peers and start to build up your reputation. Plus, these relationships with others in your company will become reciprocal, and you will be able to leverage their help when you need it.
These are four simple ways your can stand out to your employer while working from home. If you are looking for more career advice, take a look at our blog. We have tons of helpful resources available to help you take the next step in your career!
