Progress Your Career as a Part-Time, Remote Worker

 

If you’re working from home in a part-time capacity, there are some unique considerations to keep in mind regarding your career progression.

FlexJobs asked Jill Gugino Panté, Director of the Lerner Career Services Center at the University of Delaware; Corey Berkey, Senior Vice President of People & Talent at Employ Inc.; and Elizabeth Lintelman, Director of Career Services at American Public Education, Inc., for their insights on how part-time, remote workers can successfully navigate their career progression.

Define What “Career Progression” Means to You

If you’re a part-time, virtual worker, the first step in career planning is to do some soul-searching about your professional goals. For some, part-time, remote work might be a dream job, while others may see it as a stepping stone on their path to a future vision. Until you know how you feel about working from home part-time—and whether you see it as a means to an end or the end itself—you’ll have a hard time crafting progression plans.

“First, define what that career progression means to you,” advises Berkey, who has remote work expertise as well as more than a decade of experience in employee relations, benefits management, compensation strategy, talent acquisition, and HR policies. “Understand what your goals are and make sure you see the path to those.”

Create a Gateway

If, after thinking about your next steps, you determine that you want to expand your virtual, part-time role into a full-time job, there are things you can do to increase your chances of making that transition happen.

“Part-time positions can be a gateway into a full-time position,” said Panté, who is an expert on hiring and workplace issues and has ample experience working in HR. To set yourself up for success, Panté suggests taking advantage of every opportunity that comes your way, including training, volunteering on projects, and networking.

She also notes that many companies offer skills trainings and workshops to their employees. “If you have a gap in your skills, whether it be soft or technical skills, sign up for any and all [trainings] to keep yourself up to date,” Panté says. “Don’t hesitate to volunteer your skills in other areas at the company. Perhaps you were hired to do analytical work but you also have graphic design skills. Let your boss know that you have those skills and would be willing to help out in other departments.”

Beef Up Your Online Networking

Lintelman emphasizes that if you’re looking to advance your career outside of your part-time role with your current employer, the best place to start is by exploring the current job market and networking. She suggests joining LinkedIn to research job opportunities and potential employers.

“First, be sure to completely build out your profile, including a professional headshot and detailed accomplishments for your previous and current employment,” Lintelman says. “Next, search for jobs that are of interest. Learn more about the profiles of the people that currently hold that position to see their previous career path and what credentials and higher education attainment have helped them successfully obtain that position.”

As a next step, Lintelman recommends using LinkedIn to follow employers you may be interested in and joining professional groups on the platform. “Groups are a great place to engage in relevant conversation and pick up on current industry trends or topics of interest,” she says. “The more engaged you are, the more connections you will make, affording you an opportunity to network and learn from those that you are most interested in connecting with.”

Panté agrees that part-timers in remote roles should prioritize networking to facilitate career advancement. “Send LinkedIn connections to everyone you work and interact with,” Panté says. “Reach out to people in and outside of your department to hop on a virtual catch-up call once or twice a month. Just because you’re part-time and remote doesn’t mean you can’t get to know people in the company.”

Make Each Working Moment Count

In addition to reaching outside your role through networking, you can maximize what you’re doing within your current role to help edge your career forward. Berkey stresses that if you want to prioritize career progression, you need to ensure the impact of your part-time work is felt within your company.

“It’s got to be more than just punching the clock,” Berkey said. “This doesn’t mean work while you’re off the clock, or let your part-time evolve into full-time while you sacrifice work-life balance—but it does mean work hard, be dedicated, and drive results while you’re in work mode. Your work will surely start to stand out, and you’ll also likely be able to benefit from learning new skills and mastering the role you’re in.”

Seek Management Support for Your Goals

Berkey notes that competition for part-time, remote opportunities is likely going to heat up, as even more workers become interested in this unique option.

In fact, according to Employ Inc.’s 2022 Job Seeker Nation Report, nearly half of workers today who are interested in remote work would be willing to accept a lower salary to get into this type of position. This means that those whose career plans involve staying employed in remote work need to be prepared to compete for the privilege.

With this in mind, Lintelman stressed the importance of obtaining support for your career goals from your manager. “If you are currently employed and looking to stay within your organization, be sure you are having conversations with your direct supervisor regarding growth opportunities within the company,” she said.

“Be open to suggestions on how to improve your performance and gain the support of your supervisor in having informational conversations with employees from other departments to learn more about the organization and future career path possibilities.”

According to Lintelman, having management support is “the biggest factor” in successfully progressing your career. “Without it, transitioning internally is not impossible, but it certainly makes it more uncomfortable and challenging for everyone,” Lintelman concluded.

Progress Your Part-Time, Remote Career

Whether or not you already have a part-time, remote job, FlexJobs is here to support your career journey. Members get unlimited access to our jobs board, discounted rates from our expert career coaches, and much more. Take the tour to learn more about the benefits of a FlexJobs membership!