People who work remotely can sometimes feel unseen – and understandably concerned about falling off the promotion radar. But as a contributing employee, there are ways to make sure your boss knows about your good performance.

Holly Rees, founder of Auckland firm Career Space, and Melbourne-based career coach Jackie Marsterson share their insights and tips for staying front of mind, even when you’re out of the office.

1. Demonstrate your impact

Some studies on remote working suggest it can increase productivity, while others suggest it can have the opposite effect. It’s not surprising that some team leaders and managers remain sceptical.

“It’s important to demonstrate that you’re at least as productive as you would be in the office,” says Marsterson. “You must also be seen as trustworthy, consistent and reliable, which means regularly meeting deadlines and,, whenever you can, exceeding expectations.”

2. Communicate your achievements

Don’t assume that others know how productive you are, what you’re working on and your capabilities.

“If you wait to be asked about your achievements, you could be waiting a long time,” says Rees. “I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to champion yourself and your contributions.”

She recommends documenting achievements as they happen, along with any additional responsibilities you’ve taken on, training you’ve undertaken and positive feedback you’ve received.

“You can include these in regular updates to your team and managers whenever they’re relevant,” says Rees. “Having this information to hand will also be invaluable when you’re applying for a future promotion, updating your CV or preparing for an interview or performance review. It is also a great tool for self-reflection and confidence building if you ever find yourself suffering from imposter syndrome and self-doubt.”

3. Be seen in meetings

It is vital that you remove distractions so you can be fully present in virtual meetings.

“Engage as you would if you were there in person,” says Rees. “That means asking questions, sharing your knowledge and contributing ideas.”

Marsterson suggests doing preliminary research.

“You can then prepare a couple of insightful comments or questions and be well placed to take the initiative,” she says.

4. Maintain a strong online presence

Many people turn to LinkedIn when they’re checking credentials or looking for a work history, experience and skills.

“Your profile should be up to date, concise and well written,” says Marsterson. “If your organisation has a LinkedIn company page, you can become more visible by commenting on posts and contributing posts of your own. You can also join industry groups and take part in discussions.”

5. Share your goals

The first step to effective promotion is knowing where you’d like to take your career.

“If you’re happy in your current organisation, you can research the avenues and options available internally,” says Rees. “Once you have that clarity and direction, share your career objectives and goals with your manager and also ask for their feedback regarding any gaps or areas for development.”

It can also pay to speak to people in senior positions.

“Opportunities within the organisation aren’t always obvious,” says Marsterson. “If you think you might be a good fit for a particular role, consider approaching someone already in the role to ask about their pathway.”

6. Develop your skills

As Rees points out, no one cares more about your career than you.

“You need to take personal responsibility for developing skills in the areas that align with the direction you wish to take your career,” she says. “That includes continuous learning to remain relevant and understanding any gaps that may hamper your advancement.”

Marsterson suggests exploring CA ANZ courses to boost your skills, as well as LinkedIn Learning and US professional development company Udemy.

“Udemy micro courses are like tasters – an opportunity to see whether you’d like to delve deeper into a particular subject,” she says. “It’s not an accreditation but it can add depth to your CV.”

7. Take the plunge

Accountants with the skills to manage financial information, ensure regulatory compliance and provide strategic insights may sometimes feel challenged by the prospect of promoting themselves.

“If you’re more introvert than extravert, you’re going to have to push yourself outside your comfort zone if you’re serious about progressing your career,” says Marsterson.

She suggests starting out with easy targets, such as sharing one achievement, or speaking out in a meeting when you’re tempted to stay quiet.

“This can build confidence over time,” says Marsterson. “The more small steps you take, the sooner staying visible will become second nature.”

Find out more

To identify your knowledge gaps, CA ANZ members can complete a CA Capability+ assessment online.

You’ll find CA ANZ CPD courses – from full certifications to Sharing Knowledge Sessions and micro courses – on the eStore, plus members also have complimentary access to LinkedIn Learning as part of their membership.