Today we celebrate Job Action Day. Established in 2008, the day is intended to empower and inspire hard workers who dream of achieving more.

Out of sight does not have to mean out of mind, yet that’s exactly what can happen with employees working remotely during the pandemic. I regularly engage with leaders in 24 countries around the world, and those who have stayed top-of-mind implement five key practices to stay relevant and connected.

Job Action Day is a day of empowerment. It’s an opportunity to examine your career and discover your passion.

Job Action Day: 5 Ways to Stay Relevant at Work

Here are five key steps you can take to stay relevant and improve during the pandemic.

1. Take an Ownership Mindset

In reality, you are the owner of your career, which means you have to look out for your own advancements, growth, and opportunities. Because no one is more interested in your job than you, acting with an ownership mindset means you’ll be “all in” when facing projects.

2. Develop Strong Opinions & Know How to Share Them

Bosses are looking for would-be leaders who have solid opinions and who know how to share them.

As a boss, I surround myself with those who will bring perspective to the conversation — something the rest of us may not even consider. It’s imperative for today’s workers to make themselves informed, to weigh options, form opinions, and share them with bosses. That’s part of what helps us rise to higher levels.

3. Adapt Virtually & Master Technology

When COVID hit, the world shut down. But those who adapted virtually and mastered technology didn’t skip a beat.

You have to know your tech tools, implement the best ones and connect with the right people to get the job done. When you master the tools, you will be in conversations that matter and meetings that forward key issues.

4. Use Your Voice to Increase Visibility

Using one’s voice allows employees to increase their visibility and influence others with impressive perspectives.

Early on in my career, I learned to use my voice. Research shows that our tech-savvy generation has come at a cost: many people would rather communicate through devices than have human-to-human interaction. That will limit your influence, so you have to use your voice in-person and virtually at the right opportunities. Speak up. Share. Listen, and provide perspective to stay visible.

5. Expand Your Personal Development

Many employees now have more discretional time that was spent commuting or in non-productive meetings. Use that newfound time to improve skills and to learn new ones. Then train coworkers through mini-workshops. That instantly sets you apart as a leader, as one who is improving, and as an executive who is getting noticed by those around you, especially by your bosses.

These timely steps can help employees stay relevant to bosses and secure a solid standing for future growth.

I shared these thoughts and more in a news release that went out on Nov. 1, 2021.

Designed to help others find keys to successful careers and life, All the Right Reasons reveals 12 principles for living a life in harmony. All proceeds from sales of the bestseller are aimed at feeding two million meals to hungry children. Available on Amazon, each book sold provides 40 meals through The USANA Foundation.