Thriving from Afar
By Michelle Hamlet
Is it remotely possible to progress your career while working remotely? Working from home can bring a host of benefits and opportunities: better work-life balance, increased productivity and improved overall wellbeing, to name a few*. But how do you progress your career when working remotely most or all of the time? With expert tips and alumni insights, UofG Professional Development Consultant Michelle Hamlet shares how to keep progressing and even make bold career moves – all from your home office.
Stay visible
In a remote environment, you have to create your own spotlight. Being engaged and proactive in online meetings is essential for demonstrating commitment and leadership, but seeking further opportunities to enhance your visibility and expand your influence is important too, as Aubrey suggests:
" Look for opportunities outwith your remit that are cross-functional, such as joining a task force or working group, or in the broader network, engaging with professional bodies, associations, and special interest groups.
Aubrey Bierwirth (MLitt 2015), University Relations Manager (UK & Europe), ISEP Study Abroad.
Communicate your successes regularly
Make sure to share your achievements with others to build credibility. Online platforms like Slack or Teams are a great place to showcase updates with your team, and LinkedIn with your wider network, but direct communication with colleagues through virtual meetings or informal coffee chats are also beneficial for building relationships. Jack demonstrates the benefits of sharing your successes directly with your manager:
" I regularly catch up with my manager each week, but I also make time for informal chats. Sharing updates and challenges on projects has strengthened our relationship. In turn, my manager has advocated for me for promotions and access to projects.
Jack Gibson (MSc 2021), Specialist Team Lead (University Partnerships), FDM.
Manage your energy, time and work
Prioritising tasks and managing your time effectively helps you to deliver results consistently, but this is increasingly challenging in a remote environment and even more so if your colleagues are in different time zones. Using shared virtual project management tools like Asana or Microsoft Planner can help you and your team to stay organised and aware of each other’s workflow. The book ‘The New Rules of Work’ (Cavoulacos and Minshew) describes several other strategies for managing your time whilst also communicating what you’re working on, including time blocking and implementing clear boundaries for yourself and others.
Build and maintain your network
Developing mutually beneficial relationships with contacts across your sector and beyond is a fantastic way to stay abreast of career development opportunities as they arise. In the book ‘Designing Your Life’ (Burnett and Evans), ‘radical collaboration’ with your network is suggested; finding mentors and supporters who will actively help you design the career you want. But supporting others in return can be just as helpful for your career prospects, as Christina highlights. She says she aims to strike a balance between offering support and seeking it, so her network perceives her as both dependable and collaborative:
" My connections enabled me to transition into a new position with a new team, and because I had already demonstrated my value and commitment remotely, the team felt confident bringing me on board.
Christina Bannerman (BSc 2010), Project Controller, BAM Nuttall
Make time for reflection
Reflecting on your career journey so far, your current strengths and areas for development, your values and interests, can all help you to make intentional moves, whether that’s progression within your current role or pivoting in a new direction. Recent theories around career development suggest that for most people, career paths look more varied, flexible and ‘squiggly’ than ever before, as highlighted in the book ‘The Squiggly Career’ (Ellis and Tupper). Reflection can help you make sense of this and develop awareness of all the possibilities available to you.
By increasing your visibility, being intentional with your time and communication and building a network where you can both demonstrate your strengths and seek support, it really is possible to design a brilliant career that works for you, wherever you are.
*Characteristics of homeworkers, Great Britain - Office for National Statistics
This article was first published in June 2025.
OUR TOP TIPS
Aubrey, Christina and Jack give the lowdown on what is working for them.
1. Be prepared for virtual presentations and meetings. Make sure you have a backup plan and know how to use the platform whether it be Zoom, Teams or other.
2. It’s tempting to rush through the awkwardness of video calls and get straight to the point, but I find it helps to take your time and slow down during Teams or Zoom calls.
3. Use a shared work management tool like Asana or Microsoft Planner to stay organised and transparent.
4. Set and reinforce your boundaries – relationally, physically, and temporally. For me, that means no work on my phone, time blocks in my calendar with ‘do not disturb’ periods, and dedicated physical workspaces.
5. Check in regularly with colleagues and ensure you’re actively engaged during Teams meetings. Keeping your camera on helps build connection and makes interactions more memorable.
6. Actively build and maintain your network – it’s one of the most valuable assets in a remote environment. Keep brief notes on your contacts and their roles to make follow-ups more meaningful.
Images left: courtesy of Aubrey, Jack and Christina.