Preparing for Career Growth While Working From Home

As businesses figure out how to navigate a post-COVID world, employees are trying to figure out how to work from home. Without traditional access to their peers or the ability to meet with their boss for input, many are wondering how they will succeed in an autonomous position. Fortunately, you have a lot of time and opportunity for growth during this time. Here are some ways you can better prepare yourself for advancement while on your own.

Ask About Education Opportunities

Not every employee has had a good fortune or ability to achieve the education or position that pays the big bucks. In fact, most of the time, there are very few who are afforded the privilege of management based on their education alone. Not everyone has the time or money to graduate from the best business schools in the nation and go on to earn an online Master of Public Administration or Master of Business Administration. Even still, there is a lot of potential buried within you, and many employers are willing to help explore that potential. Through a tuition reimbursement plan, you may be able to take your education to new heights. Taking a new look at your personal and professional growth and being willing to head back to school for an advanced degree will change your career potential, your financial potential, and your personal skills and abilities.

Companies typically provide tuition reimbursement plans for education that is related to the job you are currently doing or another position that could be found in the company. Employers recognize the value of investing in employees. The opportunity to learn new skills or engage in new experiences is a powerful motivator and increases job satisfaction. These benefits improve an employee’s ability to manage stress from the job or deal with change. Employees with more mental clarity and engagement on the job have better consumer interactions, productivity, and fewer absences. As employees become more consistent in their work ethic and deliver strong results, the entire company benefits. It improves organizational effectiveness and work quality, leading to more satisfied customers. A more thriving, balanced work culture helps attract and retain high-quality employees. The cycle goes on and on. Though you may think you are focusing on improving your own position, any efforts you make into professional development benefit the entire company.

Make Yourself More Visible

You may feel isolated from your boss or coworkers while working from home, and many employees fear that being away from the office jeopardizes their hopes of promotion or being noticed. While it is a lot harder to let your good work be seen in the most literal sense, you have opportunities to carve out a name for yourself through your remote employment. If this is your first time in an autonomous role, take the position and run with it. Be proactive and turn work in ahead of deadlines. Reach out and ask questions or send along key thoughts that arose while working on a task. Reach out to your coworkers and check in on them. Let them know you are there, despite being distanced. You don’t have to let the isolation keep you from being noticed by your peers and supervisors.

Find a Virtual Network to Explore

There are many companies that have opened new remote employment opportunities as a result of COVID-19, and if you have been thinking about pursuing career advancement, you may find that positions that once seemed off-limits are now ideal for you. Without the ability to network with some of your supervisors or connections through your day job, you should start exploring virtual connections. With LinkedIn and a number of other professional networking sites, you have access to new opportunities and endorsements. With any extra time on your hands, you should freshen up your resume or create online profiles that can attract positive attention to your qualities and skills. You can’t wait for opportunities to come to you. With so many layoffs and businesses closing, you will find there is more competition out there than ever before. You need to make sure your profile stands out, and that you have the education and experience needed to seal the deal.

Take Advantage of Free E-Learning During COVID-19

Many people avoid going back to school or developing their skills in a certain area because of finances. Not having enough time is also a deterrent. While you are working from home during the coronavirus, there are professional growth opportunities that are both affordable and accessible. There are a number of e-learning platforms where you can access courses that range from foreign languages, computer programming, art, and more. Through companies like Coursera, you have access to e-learning courses provided by some of the top universities and industry leaders from around the world. The best part of this service is the price. Courses are free. There may be some extra fees for wanting an official transcript or certificate of completion, but if you are only looking to expand your skill set and make yourself more marketable, this is a great option. There is also a lot of flexibility with attendance, making it easier for you to work your courses around your work schedule.

Let the Tech Do the Training

You may be able to sit in a training class at your job for that position you have always wanted, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn on your own and be ready for change. COVID-19 has people keeping their distance and limiting gathering, all but taking away the ability to attend conferences or lectures from industry leaders or experienced professionals. Thanks to technology, there are still plenty of ways to get the training you need without having to leave your home. Podcasts are easy to listen to while you are working, and there are thousands of available segments on a wide range of business topics. Since others have found themselves at home as well, from the CEOs to the janitors, you will also find an increase in live streams and recorded interviews on YouTube, Facebook, and other social media sites. Ted Talks are another way to learn what you can about new topics, whether you are looking for professional or personal growth. You can stream these learning opportunities to your mobile device, tablet, or laptop, giving you no excuse for ignoring this awesome development chance.

Focus on Your Mental Health

While you may have been excited about the prospect of working from home, as time wears on, you may find your position changing. You aren’t alone if this occurs, in spite of feeling like you are all alone. There are undeniable benefits to working from home, with many people finding they are more productive and happier after they figure out their new routine. However, for too many, time at home shows a struggle to set proper boundaries, problems with loneliness and anxiety, and a decrease in productivity. If you are working toward advancement or want to focus on professional development, losing productivity and developing mental stress isn’t the way to make these things happen. During COVID-19, your mental health needs just as much attention as your physical health. You don’t need to try and hide your struggles or pretend they don’t exist. You will find that many of your work from home peers are feeling the same strain and having just as hard of time arranging a work/life balance. If you want to take this time to prepare for a brighter future, you need to take care of your mental health.

Develop a Work-Life Balance

It takes a lot of work to get to the top of the career ladder, but you shouldn’t discourage yourself from trying because of the strain it puts on your family and social life. You may think that your corporate culture only rewards lengthy, endless workdays and overtime. However, this could be what you are envisioning or experiencing because of your lack of training or access to resources that let you maximize efficiency and work smarter. When you surround yourself with the tools and people you need to get the job done, you don’t have to feel guilty when you shut down your computer at five o’clock. Understanding your need for a work/life balance makes it easier to walk away at the end of the day and enjoy a normal evening with your family.

Developing a company culture that takes an interest in the growth of its employees is a win-win for all involved. Since you are home and somewhat removed from that company culture, you need to take it upon yourself to generate new opportunities or pursue career advancement. If you allow yourself to get in the rut of remote employment, you are going to burn out much faster and develop chronic stress or low morale. It is already a transition to being your own boss, and for the time being, you need to step up and make the most of the chance to prove you can do it. Whether you head back to the office in a few months or you change employers altogether, you will have much more to offer.