I'm an accountant with three job offers. Two are fully remote and one's in-office, and would require me to relocate. The pay is similar, but I'd really prefer remote. I have friends who tell me that remote work kills career advancement now. Is this true?

You have 3 offers?

Save some for the rest of us.

Also, I have heard it too but I think it really depends on team dynamics and the organization.

I don't think that's true at all. I've been promoted since going fully remote because my productivity has skyrocketed compared to working in an office. I do think you have to make extra efforts to increase your visibility to management, but that is certainly possible just through incredible results.

It depends on the company. If it's a fully remote company, it won't matter. If it's a hybrid company and you're the one remote, that can hurt you. Relocation for a job could also hurt your family advancement. If it's the same pay and you get to live in a way cheaper area that you like, it's a lot more money in your pocket.

I’ve been fully remote for a few years, and I haven’t felt like my career’s stalled. I think it depends more on the company’s culture and how intentional they are about keeping remote workers in the loop.

Remote is only an issue if you can’t be productive at home, or if you’re working at a place where some people are in office and some are remote (you’ll get left behind if you’re remote in this situation).

I started my career in 2021 and have had great career progression. I’ve only gone in person like twice a year on average. I just accepted a fully remote industry job that’s a step up from my EY job.

Being remote doesn't necessarily mean that a career will be stalled, but it can happen. There's a lot to be said for being visible, and in some organizations that can count for a lot. There's a line I heard, people get promoted, names on a Slack channel don't. I would bet in some organizations that would be quite true.

I think you have to decide what’s important to you. FWIW I feel like the “it’ll kill career advancement” is both overkill with a hint of trend. Will it possibly hold you back somewhat? Sure, it could. But I wouldn’t say it’ll be a death blow by any means, and if remote allows you to have a life that’s more like what you want overall—don’t undervalue that. Career advancement can be great if that’s what you want, but sometimes having a different path or slower progression isn’t all bad. Do you make enough to be comfortable either way?