Is your resistance to Office Working costing you Career Opportunities?

If you’re serious about progressing your career in professional services, one of the biggest risks you face today is being seen as inflexible. Many professionals have grown comfortable working from home or have developed habits that feel hard to break.

Others are exploring new roles because their current firm is shifting towards more office-based working.

But here’s the reality we are seeing - being resistant to flexibility can unintentionally limit your career opportunities.

Are you missing out on career progression?

Progress in professional services often depends on more than just you technical ability. It’s about being visible to leaders, building client relationships, and learning through collaboration with your colleagues. When you hold back from being in the office or adjusting to new working patterns, you risk missing out on those day-to-day opportunities to be noticed, mentored, or career progression.

Ask yourself: could your absence be slowing down your career trajectory without you even realising it?

Are you putting up barriers to your own success?

Professional Services firms want to see adaptability. If you resist changing working models, the impression you give isn’t one of independence – it’s of being unwilling to evolve.

That perception can create a barrier between you and the next step on your career path. In effect, you could be handicapping yourself by clinging to old routines instead of showing you can thrive in different environments.

Think about your market appeal

Firms and clients alike value professionals who can fit seamlessly into varied working situations. If you’re rigid – whether that’s wanting to be fully remote or insisting on never working from home – you may be out of sync with what the market is looking for.

FIrms are increasingly drawn to candidates who demonstrate balance, adaptability, and the ability to work effectively in different settings. Limiting your flexibility reduces your market value and narrows the opportunities available to you.

Flexibility vs. hybrid working

It’s important to understand the difference between hybrid working and flexibility. Hybrid working is often a fixed split between office and home days.

Flexibility is about your mindset: knowing when it’s valuable to be in the office for collaboration, visibility, and career growth – and when remote working can support your productivity and personal balance.

The professionals who progress fastest are those who can find that balance and adapt to what their team and clients need.

Flexibility as a career advantage

Ultimately, flexibility should be seen as a strength, not a sacrifice.

By embracing different working environments, you show resilience, openness, and a commitment to both your team and your personal development. Immersing yourself in your firm’s culture while also looking after your work-life balance sets you apart as someone who is ready for responsibility and long-term success.

In today’s professional services world, flexibility is a career skill in itself. If you resist it, you risk holding yourself back. But if you embrace it, you’ll be better positioned to grow, attract opportunities, and achieve your career ambitions.