Career Growth in a Remote Environment

Are you worried that building your personal brand might ruffle feathers at work? It's a common concern. I was just speaking with someone who felt stuck – she wanted to establish herself as a thought leader, but she knew her employer wasn’t exactly enthusiastic about it. Understandably, companies can feel hesitant about personal branding if you’re not in a top-tier role. Questions may arise: Why is this person in the spotlight? Will they represent us well, or are they simply building their brand to move on? But here’s the thing: you can build your brand strategically without creating friction: ✳ Collaborate, don’t clash Find ways to align your goals with the company’s. For example, if your organization wants visibility in your field, you can propose speaking engagements or articles in industry publications – activities that highlight both you and the company positively. Team up with the communications team to ensure everyone feels supported. ✳ Leverage your company’s brand power Take full advantage of your employer’s credibility. Networking becomes easier when people are excited to meet you because of where you work. This brand association can help expand your connections without stepping on any toes. ✳ Know when to dial back Building a public-facing brand inside a company sometimes means a slower pace. Keep your activities relevant and aligned with the organization’s goals, and consider pacing things until you’re at a level where it feels more natural. Personal branding isn’t just about personal gain; it’s a way to create lasting impact and build confidence in your professional identity, all while contributing value to your current role. 

As creators, we walk a fascinating line: building & nurturing our personal brand while contributing to the growth of the companies we work for. It’s a balancing act, and when done thoughtfully, it can benefit both you and your employer. I've spent a lot of time thinking about this. Here are a few key principles to consider: Start with Alignment: Your personal brand should reflect your unique voice, passions, and expertise. At the same time, ensure your values align with your company’s mission. This synergy builds authenticity, helping you shine as a thought leader while amplifying your company’s vision. Add Value Both Ways: Your personal content isn’t just about self-promotion – it’s a chance to highlight industry trends, solve problems, and share knowledge. When your audience sees you as a trusted voice, it reflects positively on the organization you represent. The more value you provide, the stronger your brand and your company’s reputation become. Be Transparent About Your Dual Role: It’s okay to let your audience know that you’re a creator who’s also part of a larger mission. A simple acknowledgment, such as, “In my role at FinLocker, I’ve learned the value of engaging early journey first-time homebuyers", builds credibility and reinforces your connection to your employer without overshadowing your individuality. Prioritize Consistency: Whether you're sharing insights under your name or your company’s banner, make sure your message is consistent. Both brands should feel complementary – not competitive. Think of it as two interconnected streams feeding into the same river. Use Your Brand to Build Bridges: Your personal platform can help you connect with other professionals, clients, and opportunities that can ultimately benefit your company. And your company’s resources can enhance your ability to create impactful content. When both sides grow, it’s a win-win. Ultimately, this balance is about mutual growth. Your personal brand showcases the unique skills and perspectives you bring to the table, while your work for your company demonstrates your ability to drive results and collaborate with a larger team. The takeaway? Don’t think of it as “choosing” between your brand and your company. Think of it as a partnership where both grow stronger together. How do you balance your personal brand with your company’s goals?

How to find 𝗨𝗦𝗔 & 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝗯𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻, even if you live outside those countries. I get this question a lot, so let me simplify it in 7 simple steps: Step 1: Use LinkedIn’s job filters (correctly) Go to the Jobs tab and use these filters: → Location: type “Remote” → Country: select United States and Canada → Job Type: Full-time → Work Type: Remote This ensures you’re only seeing roles that are remote and based in North America. Step 2: Use the right keywords In the search bar, try: → “Remote Data Analyst USA” → “Remote Data Scientist Canada” → “Fully remote data engineer” Mix in keywords like: • “Global team” • “Worldwide” • “Remote-first company”    These companies are more likely to accept international applicants. Step 3: Focus on companies that hire globally Target companies known for hiring remote international talent: → Automattic → GitLab → Toptal → Zapier → Deel → Doist → Oyster → Remote.com Search “[Company Name] careers” and look at their hiring policies.  Step 4: Follow hiring managers & recruiters Find hiring managers and tech recruiters in the US/Canada who’ve posted remote jobs. → Like and comment on their posts → Send a warm DM (not a cold pitch) → Stay on their radar These relationships create long-term opportunities. Step 5: Optimize your LinkedIn profile Make your profile location say: → “Open to Remote Roles in USA & Canada” Recruiters search by location. If your profile says “Kenya” or “India,” they might assume relocation is required unless you clearly state you’re looking for remote roles. Step 6: Highlight your timezone + communication skills Companies care about async work and timezone overlap. Add something like: → “Work comfortably across EST & PST” → “Strong async communicator with 4+ years remote experience” Step 7: Prepare your pitch Once you find a job that fits, don’t just apply. → Engage with the company on LinkedIn → Reach out to an employee or the hiring manager → Show how you solve their problems Outreach > blind applications. Start your search today because roles are going fast. P.S. It’s easier if you already have a valid work visa or permit. If you don’t, focus on global-first companies or consider freelancing until you build leverage. ➕ Follow Jaret André for daily data job search strategies 🔔 Hit the bell to get practical tips that actually land offers

The brand of the company you work for is not your personal brand. If all you talk about is the company you work for, you’re simply a mouthpiece for it, and it can stifle your individual voice. Here are three ways to develop your own personal brand while still championing your company: 1. Showcase Your Expertise: Share industry insights, trends, and thought leadership content. Demonstrate your skills and knowledge beyond the scope of your company. When people associate you with valuable expertise, they remember you. 2. Highlight Personal Achievements (these can include learnings): Share your professional milestones, successes or where you fumbled and how you recovered and grew from it. Whether it’s a project you led, a problem you solved a skill you honed, or how you fumbled, learned and recovered, your achievements and learnings contribute to your personal brand. 3. Engage Authentically: Interact with your network in a genuine way. Comment on posts, join discussions, and share personal stories that resonate with you. Authentic engagement builds trust and sets you apart. Often times, I see people talk about the company they work for constantly and they amass a following because people love the company — but they don’t know how to separate their own voice. Remember, you can have a strong personal brand and also complement and enhances your company’s brand, but the company’s brand voice is not your own. Let your unique voice be heard.

Many things that happen in our lives are out of our control. ⁣ But focusing on the what we can control increases our success⁣. ⁣ Here's 9 skills to develop to make sure your career has the best chances⁣: ⁣ 1: Problem Solving⁣ ↳ The ability to connect insights from different fields to solve multi-layered challenges.⁣ ↳ AI can optimize within systems, but humans excel at seeing patterns across unrelated domains.⁣ ⁣ 2: Emotional Intelligence⁣ ↳ Understanding and managing emotions in yourself and others to build trust and collaboration.⁣ ↳ As work becomes more remote and AI-assisted, human connection becomes increasingly rare and valuable.⁣ ⁣ 3: Adaptive Learning ⁣ ↳ The capacity to quickly understand new concepts and pivot when circumstances change.⁣ ↳ Industries will shift rapidly, requiring professionals who can learn and unlearn at high speed.⁣ ⁣ 4: Systems Thinking⁣ ↳ Seeing how individual pieces connect to larger patterns and long-term consequences.⁣ ↳ Automation handles linear tasks while humans add value by understanding complex interconnections.⁣ ⁣ 5: Creative Innovation⁣ ↳ Generating novel solutions and approaches when standard methods don't work.⁣ ↳ Creativity and imagination remain uniquely human advantages that machines cannot replicate.⁣ ⁣ 6: Digital Fluency ⁣ ↳ Understanding how to leverage technology as a tool while maintaining human judgment.⁣ ↳ The future belongs to people who can work with AI, not those replaced by it.⁣ ⁣ 7: Future Planning⁣ ↳ Anticipating trends and making decisions based on where things are heading, not where they are.⁣ ↳ Strategic foresight becomes more valuable as change accelerates and uncertainty increases.⁣ ⁣ 8: Resilience⁣ ↳ Maintaining performance and well-being when facing constant change and ambiguous situations.⁣ ↳ Future careers will require thriving in uncertainty rather than just surviving it.⁣ ⁣ 9: Cross Cultural Communication⁣ ↳ Working effectively with diverse teams and understanding different cultural perspectives.⁣ ↳ Remote work and global collaboration make cultural intelligence essential for leadership.⁣ ⁣ Which skill will you prioritize developing first?⁣ ⁣ 💚 Follow Hetali Mehta, MPH for more.⁣⁣ 📌 Share this with your network.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ 👇Subscribe to my newsletter: https://lnkd.in/ehMbvmiY

He got put on a PIP… for asking for a promotion. Not because he wasn’t qualified. Not because he was underperforming. But because of how he asked. Let’s talk about the career cliff that too many high performers fall off, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds: - You do the work. - You exceed expectations. - You finally ask for the promotion you’ve more than earned… And suddenly, you’re labeled “difficult,” “entitled,” or “not aligned with leadership tone.” Here’s what most people aren’t told: Promotions in corporate aren’t given based on fairness. They’re given based on positioning. So if you're getting ready to ask, here’s what actually matters: 1. Build a business case, not just a feelings case. You can’t go in saying, “I’ve worked hard.” You need to show: → What you own now (Scope) → How far it reaches (Scale) → What outcomes you've driven (Impact) → How it supports org-wide goals 2. Show you're already operating at the next level. Promotions aren’t promises, they’re recognition of what’s already happening. If your manager has to imagine you in that role, you’ve already lost the case. 3. Know the season your org is in. Are they in growth? Layoffs? Reorg mode? Promotions aren’t just about merit, they’re about timing and optics. The stronger your internal awareness, the more surgical your ask. 4. Don’t confuse assertiveness with ultimatums. Confidence is necessary. But once your ask sounds like a threat (“I deserve this or I’m leaving”), you're no longer leading, you’re cornering. That’s rarely received well, especially in conservative or political environments. Is it exhausting to have to play the game this way? Absolutely. But learning the game is not the same as selling out. It’s how you protect your power and your paycheck. If you’re stuck between “I’ve earned it” and “They still don’t see me,” it’s time to rethink how you’re positioning your value, not your worth, but your visibility. Let’s stop losing good people to bad promotion conversations. _________________________ And if we haven't met...Hi, I’m Erica Rivera, CPCC, CPRW I help people take everything they’ve done, & say it in a way that lands offers. Let’s stop downplaying your value. Let’s start closing the gap between your impact and your paycheck. You deserve a role that reflects your experience, and pays you like it

🚀 As AI automates tasks across industries, the question isn’t “Will my job be replaced?”—it’s “How do I stay irreplaceable?” To stay competitive in the age of AI, workers need to focus less on routine execution and more on high-value, human-centered skills that machines can’t easily replicate. Here are 5 modern skills everyone should be learning now: 1️⃣ AI Fluency – Understand how AI tools work, how to use them, and how to collaborate with them—not compete against them. 2️⃣ Critical Thinking – As AI handles more tasks, humans are needed to evaluate outcomes, challenge assumptions, and make judgment calls. 3️⃣ Emotional Intelligence – Relationship-building, empathy, and leadership are more valuable than ever in an increasingly automated world. 4️⃣ Adaptability – The only constant is change. The ability to pivot, reskill, and learn continuously is now a core career skill. 5️⃣ Prompt Engineering – In the new era, knowing what to ask an AI—and how—could be as important as traditional coding. 💡 The most successful professionals won’t just use AI—they’ll direct it, refine it, and lead through it. Which skill are you working on right now? #FutureOfWork #AI #SkillsGap #CareerDevelopment #LifelongLearning #WorkplaceTrends #Automation #DigitalTransformation

If you want to land a $100k+ remote job offer as a software engineer in 2025, I would 100% suggest you invest your time in these technologies (based on my experience from the last 15+ years). 1/AI agents are the hottest thing right now - half of SF is building agent startups, why? Because they’re the closest thing to AI automation before AGI. - think of them as LLMs that make decisions, automate workflows, and interact with real-world apps (Gmail, WhatsApp, databases). - startups are racing to build voice agents, chatbot-based automation, and AI-driven assistants and they need engineers who know how to integrate LLMs with real-world APIs. - learn LangChain, OpenAI API, and automation frameworks to get into this space. 2/ Browser automation is the secret weapon for AI companies - Many AI companies need their models to control and interact with websites, booking flights, scraping data, handling forms. - Startups like Induced AI and Browserless are being built purely to automate browser interactions. - If you learn Selenium, Playwright, and Puppeteer, you can land jobs in AI companies that need large-scale browser automation for their systems. 3/ Vs code extensions and developer tools are printing money - AI-powered developer tools are booming, Cursor, Cody, and Devika are at billion-dollar valuations. - Understanding how VS Code works under the hood, how to build extensions, and how to index and parse large codebases efficiently is a valuable skill. - Want to future-proof your skills? Learn how to build AI-powered coding assistants or improve existing developer workflows. 4/DevOps and cybersecurity will never go out of demand - Every company hitting scale needs DevOps engineers to optimize cloud costs, monitor infrastructure, and automate CI/CD. - Good DevOps engineers are rare, and companies pay massive salaries for experts who can save them millions on AWS bills. - Cybersecurity is another evergreen skill. Even AI-written code will have security vulnerabilities. If you understand penetration testing, bug bounties, and infrastructure security, you will always be in demand. 5/ AI image and video generation will only grow -Companies like Runway, Ideogram, and Midjourney are disrupting design, media, and content generation. - Learning diffusion models, LLM-based video generation, and AI-powered media tools will put you in one of the fastest-growing industries. - This is a difficult field to break into, but if you can build AI-powered media tools, you’ll be ahead of 99% of developers. Pick a field, go deep, and build real things. AI is making engineers 10x more productive, which means companies are hiring fewer, but better engineers. Don’t just learn—show proof of work.

Let’s stop guilting people because remote work and a flexible career are top priority. It’s called work-life balance. I see too often people being told they're "not serious about their career" when they prioritize remote work. The subtext is clear: "Real professionals go to offices. Remote is for people who aren't ambitious." Isn’t this an outdated perspective? When a client tells me remote work is their top priority, I don't see someone avoiding hard work. I see someone making a rational decision about their quality of life, productivity, and well-being. Here's the career change roadmap I share with anyone looking to transition to remote work: ✅ 1. Reframe your "why" Stop apologizing for wanting remote work. Your reasons are valid: 📌 Eliminating commute time 📌 Creating a distraction-free environment 📌 Having control over your workspace 📌 Preserving energy for actual work instead of office politics ✅ 2. Audit your transferable skills through a remote lens The skills that make someone exceptional in remote work aren't the same as in-office environments. Written communication, self-direction, problem-solving without immediate support, and digital collaboration are premium skills in remote environments. ✅ 3. Build a remote-first network, not just a job search Most remote opportunities are never publicly posted. They're filled through referrals from people who can vouch for your ability to deliver without supervision. ✅ 4. Create visible proof of remote capability Companies need evidence you can deliver without someone watching over your shoulder. This means building a portfolio of work, contributing to open-source projects, publishing articles, or completing relevant certifications - anything that demonstrates your ability to execute independently. ✅ 5. Target companies, not just roles Not all remote work is created equal. Some companies have thoughtfully built remote-first cultures. Target companies that proudly embrace remote work as part of their identity, not as a reluctant concession. — Remote work isn't a perk or a lifestyle choice - it's a legitimate workplace strategy that benefits both employees and employers. The future belongs to people who can deliver results from anywhere. There's nothing unprofessional about optimizing your environment to do your best work. 📌 Question: What's your top challenge in transitioning into a remote role?

I filmed this sitting on the floor of a hotel gym at 11PM. There were people working out around me. My legs fell asleep halfway through. I had every excuse to wait until I got home next week. But I needed to share this message urgently because I see too many corporate professionals making the same costly mistake I did. The hidden cost of waiting to build your brand When I was at Goldman, Accenture Strategy, and later in tech, I was terrified of what my coworkers would think if I built a personal brand. I remember barely mentioning when I spoke at an event with Eric Thomas (yes, THE Eric Thomas) because I didn't want to seem "cringey" or like I was trying to be an "influencer." Now I realize that fear cost me millions in future opportunities. Here's why your personal brand isn't something to put off: → When you start at 35 versus 45, that's not just 10 years difference – it's 10 years of COMPOUND GROWTH → Your network, audience, and opportunities multiply exponentially over time → Would you wait 10 years to start your 401k? Then why wait to build your personal brand? The 3 hidden costs of waiting: 1. Table Seat Cost: Missing opportunities at tables you're not invited to 2. Leverage Vacuum: Having zero leverage in career negotiations 3. Post-Exit Void: Starting from zero after a job loss or when you decide to do your own thing     Even a small platform (I only had 5,000 followers when I left corporate) can give you the foundation to make bigger moves. I broke down my full framework for safely building a personal brand WHILE still crushing your corporate job in my latest YouTube video. In it, I explain: • What's actually safe to share when you're employed (and why your employer would love it) • How to use the "Two Levels Ago" content strategy • My 60-day signature series method that only takes 1 hour per day    Here's the link to check it out: https://lnkd.in/e--92Fj6 Let me know what you think of the video so I can keep getting signals if we are going in the right direction with the content! I want this to be helpful because there's enough out there for us to all win 🧡✌🏾