How to Be Successful When Working Remotely

Remote work has risen in popularity over the past couple of years as technology has made it easier for professionals to work from anywhere, at any time. The number of freelancers and self-employed professionals has likewise increased, and flexible work options have become one of the most coveted benefits workers seek from a company.

While some remote workers might choose to work from home, others find it beneficial to work from a serviced workspace or a coffee shop. Still, regardless of whether you are self-employed or part of a company team and you are working remotely, in order to be successful as a remote worker, it is extremely important that you always present yourself in a professional manner. Here are four way to be successful while working remotely.

1. Keep your team and clients updated at all times

Working remotely means that day-to-day interactions are limited, and the same goes for meetings. In order to be successful and prove your professionalism, it’s important to keep a constant communication flow with your team and clients, making sure everyone is on the same page about what needs to be done and how it will be done. Goals have to be clear and all parties must be informed about the progress that is being made, when the job or project will be completed, and if any problems or issues arise, everyone must be notified.

2. Meet your deadlines

This goes hand in hand with keeping all parties updated. Clear goals and deadlines are key to success; and as a professional, make sure you will meet said goals in the established and agreed upon time. Being unable to meet deadlines will mark you as unreliable and unprofessional. Meeting deadlines, on the other hand, means that you are reliable and accountable; it means you can be trusted without being micro-managed and constantly supervised.

If you won’t be able to meet a deadline for any given reason, make sure you let everyone involved know, along with an explanation.

3. Embrace technology

Technology has been an enabler of remote work. As a professional, you need to make sure you are up to date with the latest technology software and platforms that can enhance your work experience. Use tools such as videoconferencing, messaging apps, and collaboration apps to help everyone stay informed and interacting with one another. Clients will be reassured that you are using the latest technology, and these can help you present a better professional image. Some of these tools include Slack, Skype, Zoom, Trello,  Davinci Live Receptionists, Davinci Virtual Offices, and Google Docs.

4. Meet face to face

While remote work gives you the opportunity to work from anywhere, it often pays to meet in person with someone (or at least via a video call) and be able to put a face to a name. Face to face communication reduces the probability of misinterpretation and it can help give you a better sense of who you are working with and what they expect; you can meet at an informal setting like a cafe, or you can rent an on-demand meeting room for a few hours. If meeting face to face is impossible, then embrace technology; make sure you have a reliable internet connection, as well as the necessary audio and visual equipment to host a video call.

About Cecilia Amador

Cecilia Amador is a writer and content strategist based in Guatemala City. She's been writing about coworking, virtual offices, and business centers since 2015 and she is currently getting a Masters Degree in Innovation from The Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.