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November 7, 2022

How to Successfully Negotiate Pay for a Remote Job via Email

Remote work is great! With a flexible schedule, no dress code, and the ability to work anywhere, there are tons of benefits of working remotely. However, one thing that can be intimidating to some is negotiating their salary…digitally! Oftentimes, you will communicate with your employer via email, and asking for money via email can be very daunting. Trying to craft the perfect virtual message can be nerve-racking, and you might find yourself typing, re-typing, and typing again trying to get the best message down. That is why we have created a handy guide below on how to create an email that you can feel confident about to help you achieve the pay you want!

Research

Before you begin writing your email, research the position and what a typical pay level for it is commensurate with the experience you bring to the table. It’s best to ask for a small range versus an exact amount. For example, ask for $25-$30 per hour versus asking for exactly $33. Remember, this is a negotiation! You also should not offer a wide range such as $25-$45 because that leaves too many options available. Your rates need to reflect the value you bring to the table, so you should be choosing a common industry range that will cover your expenses and skills.

Don’t forget, you can also negotiate for other things outside of pay such as vacation time or even your schedule! Pay is certainly the most common thing asked about in email, but you can always ask for changes to any aspect of your job.

You can also research templates for emails that others have written for positions that are similar to yours. These templates can help you get a feel for how you should structure your email. Once you’ve researched this information, it’s time to write the email!

Sell

The number one thing to do is to sell yourself. You have your résumé and cover letter ready, so now it’s time to show that you can be an asset to the company. There are a few things you should do in your email in order to succeed: 

  • Talk about how excited you are about the opportunity 
  • Share relevant past work experience 
  • Explain what you can offer the company that they may not be able to find elsewhere

It’s a good idea to have the job description handy so that you can call out each piece of it in your email to demonstrate why you deserve a certain pay level. For example, if the job description asks that a candidate have 3 years of experience working as a virtual assistant, and you have 5 years of experience, call that out in your email and mention your extra levels of experience as to why you feel you would like to be on the higher end of the pay scale offered.

It can be easy to get lost in the weeds with all this information, though! Take your time. Write everything down you feel is relevant. Then go back and take information out. Keep your email short and to the point. You can just say you have 5 years of experience; you do not need to take time to list out all the places you worked and what you did at each, for example.

Proofread

You’ve researched pay, written your email, and now it is time to proofread it. Read it a few times to check for grammatical errors. It helps to read it out loud to yourself to catch any potential mistakes — and to make sure that it makes sense! You can also ask friends or family to read it to get their feedback. If you’ve spent a lot of time drafting this, make sure to step away from it for an hour or so before sending. Then you can look at it with fresh eyes one last time before hitting send.

Respond

Remember, this is a negotiation! An employer might immediately accept the range you asked for and offer you something in that. Other times they might want to try and talk you down from that range. Be prepared that they may not accept your first ask. If they come back with a number you are not happy with, respond professionally and again highlight what you bring to the company that others do not with your specific experiences. You can also cite sources here if the pay range is less than industry average, for example, to show the company why you are asking for a specific range.

You should also not be afraid to ask questions about the negotiation! Ask the company why they want to give you the amount they are offering. Ask if they provide raises in the future and what a timeline would look like for that. This is not one-sided — it’s a two-way conversation between you and the business to figure out what works for you both.

Have you successfully negotiated pay via email before? Tell us about it so we can share your tips with others!

 

 

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October 31, 2022

The Perks of Hiring People with No Experience

Hiring new talent can be an exciting and frustrating experience, especially if it’s your first time hiring employees. There are so many things to consider, like how much to pay, what benefits to offer and how to keep your new hires from leaving once you get them on board! But, how do you decide which candidate is right for your organization? Someone with years of experience, or someone with no experience? That greatly depends on which position you’re hiring for, but let’s explore the benefits of hiring someone who has no experience — this strategy can save you money and help you foster trust within your organization as you build your employee’s experience.

Finding the Right Fit

When you’re in need of someone to fill a position, be sure to think about what skills they will have that can be utilized at your company. There are many benefits to hiring people with no experience such as being able to train them and mold them into the perfect fit for your company. Plus, there is a lot less pressure on you when it comes time to make a decision because you don’t have any preconceived notions about who they are as an employee which can lead to better decisions. When considering hiring someone who has no experience, make sure they have skills that can be useful at your company and once hired, then take the time to train and coach them so they can grow into the perfect person for the position. 

These skills don’t have to come from direct experience in your industry; for example, if you run a marketing company, a potential candidate could put on their résumé that they have experience working with customers to persuade them to purchase a product from working the floor in retail — they just don’t have direct marketing experience. This is still a skill that can be put to good use at your company! In fact, in this example, this gives that job candidate a unique perspective into what consumers want that may have been previously missing at your business.

They Are an Investment

One of the biggest perks of hiring someone without experience is that they are an investment. A person without experience can be a great asset to a company because it takes time for them to learn and grow. When hiring people with no experience, you invest in them and their future because they become more valuable over time. Plus, there is less turnover when you hire people who have no experience because you build trust and loyalty by showing candidates you are willing to work with them and allow them to move up in your company.

They Are Eager to Learn

Hiring someone without any experience can be a risky move. There is always the chance that they will not be able to keep up, or worse, quit after a week. However, there are plenty of reasons why it might be worth the risk. For starters, you can find people who are eager to learn and will be happy to go above and beyond what is required in order to make themselves valuable. This can lead to your company having an influx of motivated employees who have the potential for growth and education. 

They Bring Fresh Ideas

Hiring people without experience can be intimidating because you don’t know what they’re capable of. But, it also offers many benefits that inexperienced managers might not think about. One major perk is fresh ideas. If you hire someone without experience, they’ll bring a new perspective to the company and help you find new ways to improve processes and increase your creativity. For example, if you have an employee who has been working for years on a particular project or product, they may not see other solutions that could help make the work process smoother and more efficient. In some cases, having an outsider’s perspective on things can be valuable because it’s likely they won’t be tainted by old habits or assumptions that others may be stuck in.

As mentioned before, hiring someone with experience versus no experience comes down to your company culture and the position you’re hiring for. There are benefits to both, but focusing specifically on those with no experience, they can be a great investment for your company! What has been your company’s experience hiring someone who has not worked in your industry? Let us know!

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October 24, 2022

How to Write a Cover Letter: The Ultimate Guide

If you’ve ever applied to a job online, then you’ve probably had to write a cover letter of some sort. But despite their commonality, many job seekers don’t know how to write one well. If you’re struggling with writing a cover letter that will impress employers and get you hired, we can help! Here are some tips on how to write a cover letter that can help you stand out from the crowd and get your foot in the door for your dream job.

Step 1: Identify the Roles

It’s no secret that having the right skills and experience are key factors for securing an interview. Your cover letter is your first opportunity to impress your future employer, so it’s important not only to customize your letter based on the type of position you’re applying for, but also consider what keywords you’ll need in order to connect with the hiring person. It’s also worth noting that this type of correspondence has evolved into more than just a paragraph explaining why you’re the best person for the job. Also, it helps to include the name of the position for which you are applying, and mentioning some of the bullet points in the original job description. For example, if the description lists that you need three years of experience as a virtual assistant, mention that you have X amount of years as a VA which is more/less as requested in the job description (if you say less, explain why you feel you deserve the position!).

Step 2: Answer these Questions

  • Who is the letter for? 
      1. It is important to be clear about who you are addressing your letter to. This person should be listed in the top of your cover letter and throughout the body of your letter as well. If you are unsure about who your letter should be addressed, this should also be stated up front in order to give them an understanding of what you want from them or what you’re requesting of them. This can go hand-in-hand with explaining why they need to read the following contents of your cover letter as well. 
  • What are my qualifications? 
    1. This question is asking for three things in particular that the employer wants a clear understanding on. First off, it asks if you have experience with the industry/company’s specific field. For example, if it is related to marketing then there are quite a few subsets within marketing that require specific experience such as web design. Secondly, it asks if you have any relevant degrees (like a web design or marketing degree). Lastly, the company wants to understand what you bring to the table through your experience such as tools you have at your disposal; sticking with the web design example, the company wants to know if you have all the tools you need already or if you will require them such as a company computer. In fact, some employers look for people that already have personal access to specific software. These questions require very specific answers so make sure they align closely with their expectations and needs.

Step 3: Highlight your Qualifications

By this point, you should have spent enough time talking about yourself so that the business owner or hiring manager knows your strengths and weaknesses. You should also have addressed why you are uniquely qualified for the job. This is where you discuss any qualifications that are related specifically to the job description in question. Make sure that any skills and experience mentioned fit into your objective, though.

Step 4 : Formatting Matters

When it comes time to write your cover letter, formatting is important. A great cover letter tells the story of you and your journey, in such a way that the employer can’t stop reading. No matter how strong your qualifications are, if they’re not presented well on paper they will be overlooked. Check out this example below for guidelines on how to properly format your cover letter and break into the industry of your dreams:

  1. Mention the position and why you are interested.
  2. Go into detail about your work history, but make it interesting; employers are getting tons of cover letters, so it’s important to make yours stand out.
  3. Talk about the job requirements and how you meet them.
  4. Give employers a couple of different ways to contact you.

Step 5 : Tailor Your Cover Letters

Cover letters are one of the most important parts of your job application. They should be tailored specifically for each job so make sure that you spend time personalizing it. If you’re applying for a job as a manager, talk about how your management experience makes you the perfect candidate. If you’re applying for an entry-level position, talk about how excited you are to get started and learn from the people who’ve been there before. Pick which experience to focus on based on what the job is!

What tips do you have for those who are writing cover letters? Let us know!

 

 

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October 17, 2022

Preparing Your Team for a Successful Holiday Season

The holiday season can be stressful and tiring, but it doesn’t have to take a huge toll on your employees. Get your team in the right mindset before the holidays begin by following these tips to prepare your team so they can enjoy the holidays and come back without feeling overwhelmed. You’ll all start refreshed and ready to hit the ground running!

Set Clear Expectations

As the holidays approach, it is very easy to get into “holiday mode” and out of “work mode.” After all, everyone wants to enjoy the time off with their families! Going into the holiday season, set clear expectations for your team. Tell them which projects should be finished before the holidays and which they can push until after. Give parameters for time off such as when they can leave for the holidays and what sort of schedule there might be — think of the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve as an example. Should employees be ready to work that week? Or will your company take that time off? It’s good to figure all this out ahead of time so you aren’t left scrambling at the last minute.

Schedule a Check-In with Employees

Schedule time to check in with your employees periodically so they don’t have to keep their holiday worries bottled up and can ask questions or seek guidance. Plus, scheduling time will help you make sure they’re not feeling overwhelmed. Encourage them to find someone they trust to share their feelings with, whether it’s family, friends, other coworkers, or someone else. They might also want to make changes to their schedule such as rearranging work tasks so they can avoid the busiest days at the office before and after the holidays. If an employee does become overloaded with work during this busy season because of pressure from management (e.g., responding to more than ten emails per day), then scheduling a check-in is the perfect way to discuss expectations to ensure your employees are happy and healthy!

Set an End Date Early

Start by thinking about the roles in your organization and prioritizing which members will be able to take time off. Some people may not be able to come back until after the holidays, but it is important to think about how long people can be away from their jobs because each job may require different amounts of prep before someone can come back. For example, if you work as an art director in a design firm and no one else on your team is working on anything holiday-related, then you may want to come back early (because the holiday season only lasts so long) whereas someone who works in HR may want to extend their time off through January. However, don’t forget that you will need some level of staffing during this busy season! If you plan on closing for holidays completely, make sure you have a plan in place to let customers know your holiday hours.

Define Parameters Around Discretionary Tasks

To ensure that you take care of all your business duties, tasks related to personnel and operations are given higher priority in the weeks leading up to the holidays. This doesn’t mean, however, that these work tasks can’t be handled after the holidays as well. Preparing your team and planning ahead will allow them to go home on time this year and re-enter work with refreshed minds the next week. Make sure they know what they should do when they come back from the holiday break. Take care of projects that need attention before then if possible so there is no chance of things falling through the cracks. 

Take some time off for yourself during this period too; being burnt out can lead to feeling overwhelmed and not wanting to go back at all!

How do you prepare your team for the holidays? Let us know!

 

 

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October 10, 2022

The Person in the Mirror, NOT the Person on Social Media

Recently, I was working with a mompreneur on her business plan. Her business has been around for a couple of years, and she wanted to lay out better, comprehensive career goals. She confessed to me that she wasn’t sure where to start. Soon after that, she reconnected with an old friend from high school on social media, and just by doing that, she had been thrown for a loop. A mom to two small babies, she was amazed to see her old high school friend running a very successful working mommy blog with three angelic children prominently featured. Her friend appeared to have everything she wanted, but she had not taken the same path to get there. This lovely mom-preneur felt unsure of herself and unsure of how to set goals for her own business. After all, her journey didn’t look the same as that nicely polished blog.

You know the kind of blog, I’m sure. Everything is picture-perfect. The kids are always dressed in their best, looking clean, happy, and like they jumped straight out of a catalog. Every room in the house is spotless, decorated and arranged as though people don’t actually live in it. No one fights or cries or screams. No one is sleep deprived. Work, kids, family, and personal time are all perfectly balanced.

The mom-preneur I was chatting with expressed her dismay. Her life looked nothing like those photos! She actually read through her friend’s blog from start to finish in just a few, frantic hours. In the blog, this particular mom never encountered any troubles or problems. Her kids were always well-behaved, everything at work went according to plan and her family split tasks with her equally to give her free time.

Again, all of that was nothing like this mom-preneur’s life. She told me how horrible seeing all that made her feel. She felt like a failure. Her two small kids are loved and cared for, but both of them are under the age of three so there are tantrums, yelling, and more often than not they are running around the house, shedding their clothes — there are no “picture-perfect moments” there. She works more than the average 9-5 daily, and things do not always go according to plan. She has a wonderful, loving spouse, but he too has a job leaving them both trying to juggle schedules. Basically, nothing is perfect. So, how did her friend seem to have it all together?

I reminded her that she should not compare herself to others — especially on social media! We had a long heart-to-heart about how it can seem so easy to see those quick snap shots and feel inadequate, but we don’t actually know what’s going on in the entire picture of someone’s life; it’s easy to tell the internet everything is going great when in reality nothing is. In this conversation, I realized that I needed to share this quick reminder along with some tips on how to measure your own progress based on what you do, and not what others are doing.

 

Self-Compassion Matters

Take a moment to think about the times you’ve been hard on yourself. Maybe you didn’t get that promotion at work, or you had a fight with your partner. Maybe you’re struggling to lose weight, or you feel like you’re not doing enough for your kids. Whatever it is, we’ve all been there. And when we’re in those moments, it’s easy to compare ourselves to others and think that we’re falling short. But the truth is, we are all on our own journey. And comparing ourselves to others only leads to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. So instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on being compassionate with yourself. Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, and remember that everyone is doing the best they can.

Be Grateful

It’s easy to get caught up in what we don’t have, but if we take a moment to list out everything in our lives we are grateful for, we can begin to change our perspective. I am grateful for my health, my family, my friends, my job, and my home. I am also grateful for the air I breathe and the food I eat. When we focus on what we are grateful for, we begin to see how much we actually have.

Set Realistic Expectations

You’re not going to be able to do it all. You’re not going to be able to have a perfect house, a perfect body, a perfect job, and perfect kids. You’re going to make mistakes. You’re going to have days (or weeks) where you feel like you’re failing. And that’s okay! Because you’re human. And so is everyone else. So cut yourself some slack and give yourself a break. We all need it. It’s important to set realistic expectations and then appreciate what we’ve done rather than focusing on what we haven’t done yet. There will always be someone doing better than us or someone who has more money or a nicer car or whatever it may be. It doesn’t matter because they are just telling their story; yours might look different but that doesn’t mean either one of them is wrong. No one can compare with your story so don’t compare yourself to anyone else — take care of you and your family as best as you can by setting realistic expectations for yourself which includes being happy for other people too!

Mindfulness Leads to Progress

Moms are under a lot of pressure these days. With social media, we are constantly bombarded with images and messages about how we should be living our lives. It’s easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to others and feeling like we’re falling short. But here’s the thing: we are each on our own journey. And comparing ourselves to others only leads to feelings of inadequacy and discouragement. So instead of comparing, let’s focus on being mindful of our own progress. When we take the time to notice how far we’ve come, it’s empowering and motivating. So the next time you find yourself comparing yourself to someone else on social media, remember: you are not them and they are not you.

 

 

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October 3, 2022

The Busy Mom’s Guide to Creating a Work-From-Home Schedule

When you work from home as a stay at home mom, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you have all the time in the world to get everything done, when in reality time seems to slip away from you and then you’re behind on everything and don’t know how to catch up. In order to create structure and balance in your life, create a schedule that will allow you the freedom to work from home while still getting everything done around the house and providing enough time with your family.

Set Up A Routine

Creating a routine can be difficult when you work from home. The best way to get it started is by simply waking up and deciding what your goal for the day will be. Maybe your goal is cleaning the house, or editing photos, or even sending out emails. Set time goals, be specific with yourself and keep reminding yourself of those goals so you don’t back down midway through your day. And always remember: It doesn’t matter how many times you fail; it only matters how many times you get back up!

For some it helps to create a to-do list so you can create a new schedule each day. For others, they stick to a strict time limit, setting a certain amount of hours per day to work before clocking off or switching tasks. No matter which way you prefer, make sure you have something in place, because if you try to wing it, more often than not you will find yourself falling behind and getting distracted.

Adjust Your Routine Based On Your Kids’ Needs

Staying home with your kids can be challenging when it comes to keeping your schedule intact. But by adjusting what time you work and what responsibilities you have during the day, you’ll find the perfect balance that works for both yourself and your family. Here are some tips on how stay at home moms can manage their time: 

  • Figure out when you’re most productive, and schedule your work for that time. If you’re a morning person, get up early before the kiddos and get work done. If you’re an afternoon person, schedule time to work while the kids are down for a nap.
  • Organize set days (such as one weekday, one weekend day) where you work from home. For instance, if you choose Monday as your workday, then don’t have any other commitments or appointments on Mondays so that you can focus solely on getting things done. The same goes for weekends; if Saturday is your day to work from home, make sure there aren’t any activities planned for Saturdays so that you won’t feel guilty about spending all of your time working.
  • Start simple — figure out the three tasks in each category of responsibility so that everything gets completed but not overly stressed about finishing everything.

Develop an Exercise Routine Too

Plus, you’ll need to make time for yourself as a mom. Exercise can help relieve stress and be relaxing, so take the time to do it every day. You should aim for 20 minutes at least 3 days a week. Not only will you start feeling better and look better, but it will also help you keep the house cleaner too! Set aside a 20-30 minute chunk of time in your schedule each day to work out–a very productive way to spend that time when you are working from home.

Keep A Daily Journal Of Everything You Do

It is important to keep track of what you are doing so that you can set goals and also look back on your days. Even though it can seem like one day blends into the next, you will be surprised at how much you get done if you stop for just a minute each day and write down what you did. When the week is over, your journal will help remind you how productive your week really was! It will also help you prioritize what you need to do in the coming days.

What are some tips you have for creating a schedule and sticking to it as a work from home mom? Reach out and let us know!

 

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September 26, 2022

How to Create a Winning Job Post

Any successful hiring manager will tell you that having a great job description (or job post) is vital to hiring great candidates. Without it, you may not attract any candidates or you may attract the wrong ones — and that’s not a good use of your time or money. We want to share with you how to create a job post that will attract the right candidates and increase your chances of finding the rockstar team member you need for your business.

Examples of What Not to Do

The number one thing we see is that some employers do not include enough information on their job posts. With the first example below, you will notice that minimal information was provided about the company and the position itself. We recommend including information such as the duties of the job, specific experience needed, any special skills you are seeking, the number of hours per week or month you are seeking as well as any other pertinent qualities, qualifications or skills needed. It can also be helpful to include a bit about the company and the culture that gives the candidates an idea of what it’s like working for your company. This helps ensure they feel like they would be a good fit for what you are looking for.

Our next example is getting more on the right track, but we recommend adding more details without writing a book. This post does a much better job explaining the position and offering some information about the company. However, the time commitment is still missing as is more specific information about what is needed for the job itself.

Examples of What to Do

We’ve compiled two of some of the top performing job posts on the site to share with you below. You will notice that the first post has quite a bit more information than our previous examples. It goes into detail about the company, what the position is about, what is needed for the position, and the commitment requirements.

You may not have this many requirements or qualifications needed and that is 100% ok. Your job does not have to be long to be thorough. In fact, super long job posts don’t perform well because it overwhelms the candidates so it’s important to state what you are looking for, the important points but not go overboard and write so much that you scare off potential candidates. This example below is one of our longer job descriptions but we are suggesting that you should have one this long. 

Our next example is very similar with lots of great details. As a bonus, this post states up front what the salary range is which can help find better job candidates that know what to expect from the beginning with regards to compensation.  Again, your job description does not have to be this long. We just wanted to give you some ideas of things you can include to help your job post perform better!

 

In need of more inspiration or ideas to kickstart your job description? 

We’ve put together a FREE Job Post template for our audience to help make this process easier!  CLICK HERE to download it.

Do you tips that have worked well for you in hiring or writing job descriptions? Share with us your tips to help other employers create the best job post possible.

 

 

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September 19, 2022

How to Make Money as a Stay at Home Mom with No Child Care

Many moms enjoy spending time with their children and don’t want to miss out on those precious moments by working outside the home. That’s why it’s so important to find ways to make money as a stay at home mom. There are lots of options out there that can work with your schedule — the number one type of job being a virtual assistant. But, there are tons of options beyond that! Maybe you only have a couple hours a day to yourself that you can work — there are things you can do from bookkeeping to social media management. Don’t be scared when you hear the word ‘job’ because that does not mean full time (or even part time) chained to a desk with specific hours; jobs can be just a couple of hours, flexible, and virtual so you can do them from anywhere! Here are some ways to make money as a stay at home mom with no child care:

Find A Work From Home Job

There are plenty of work from home jobs that don’t require any child care. One option is to become a virtual assistant. Virtual assistants provide administrative, secretarial, and clerical support to clients from home. To be a successful virtual assistant, you’ll need excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work independently. However, we also see moms doing things such as remote website management, HR tasks, and more. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something you’re passionate about and that you have the drive and determination to make it work. And of course, we have to do a shameless plug for our platform! Use HireMyMom to find a work from home job that works with your schedule! (And if you are unsure of your skills or think you need a bit of help to get started, make sure you check out our training course, Cultivate, which was designed to help moms fast track their work from home career.) 

Work As A Freelancer

There are a number of ways to make money as a stay at home mom, even if you don’t have child care. One option is to work as a freelancer. You can find small jobs online in a variety of industries, from writing and editing to customer service and social media. While you may not make a lot of money per job, the cumulative effect can add up over time. Plus, working from home gives you the flexibility to set your own hours and take care of your family as well. While we see virtual assistants as the most popular jobs with moms, we also see lots of moms become freelancers so they have a little more control over their schedule and what projects they take on; freelancers generally do not get company benefits, but a part time or full time employee normally does not get to pick projects or their schedules so there is a bit of a trade off here that should be considered.

Create A Routine

One of the biggest things that will help you work from home as a mom is to create a routine for yourself and your kiddos. Put your kids down for a nap at the same time each day, and use that time to get some work done. Is your kid an early riser? Plan to work after they go to sleep. Is your child a night owl? Get up early and work then. Figure out what works best for your lifestyle, and stick to that so that you are able to work in between spending those precious moments with your babies.

Ask For Help

Starting a business or finding work can be tough, especially when you’re a stay at home mom with no child care. But there are ways to make it work. First, ask your friends and family if they can watch your kids for an hour or two while you work. If that’s not possible, try to find another stay at home mom who can trade off watching each other’s kids. You can also look into hiring a part-time nanny or babysitter to help out. Some companies even offer childcare stipends to help. When you are going through the job hunt process, let potential employers know what your schedule is, how often you can work, and ask how they can help you create a work environment at home.

Finally, there are some ways you can save money too that can help! Check those out here.

What suggestions do you have for moms looking to earn money while staying at home with their kids? Let us know!

 

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September 12, 2022

5 Tips for Handling Flex Scheduling as a Remote Boss

Being the boss of your own small business can offer many benefits such as flexible hours, more control over your workday, and more money in your pocket. However, it can also be challenging to maintain this level of autonomy when you’re working from home or are otherwise unable to interact with coworkers on a daily basis. Flex scheduling gives employees the freedom to set their own schedules and work at their own pace, but as an employer you need to make sure that you’re still able to keep track of what each person is doing at all times.

1) Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

If you’re a remote boss, it’s important to communicate regularly with your team members. This way, you can stay up-to-date on what’s going on and ensure that everyone is on the same page. The worst thing you can do is drop off the face of the earth without any notice. One good idea is to set aside one day each week where you’ll touch base with each person individually. If anything needs attention, this will be an ideal time to tackle these issues before they become bigger problems!

2) Have Time Blocks with Deadlines

One way to approach this is to have time blocks with deadlines. This means that each day, you and your team will have specific times when you are expected to be working on specific tasks. Having this structure will help to keep everyone on track and ensure that deadlines are met. Of course, there will always be some flexibility with this, but it is important to have some sort of system in place.

3) Check in Every Day

  1. Schedule regular check-ins with your team.
  2. Let your team know what your availability is like in advance.
  3. Encourage your team to communicate their availability to you as well.
  4. Respect each other’s time and schedules.
  5. Try to be flexible when possible.
  6. Be understanding when things come up.
  7. Have a plan B in case things don’t go as planned.

4) Use Project Management Software

If you manage a remote team, you know that one of the challenges can be coordinating everyone’s schedules. This is where project management software can come in handy. By using a tool like Asana or Trello, you can create flexible schedules for your team and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

5) Review Tasks At The End Of Each Week

As a remote boss, one of the best ways to stay on top of your team’s progress is to review tasks at the end of each week. This helps you identify any areas where employees may be slacking off, and also allows you to give credit where it’s due. Plus, it’s a great way to keep communication open between you and your team.

What tips do you have for managing your remote team? Reach out and let us know!

 

 

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September 5, 2022

Tips for Creating An Attention-Getting Job Seeker Profile to Help You Get Hired!

One of the most popular questions we get asked is: How do I create a great online profile / resume that stands out to employers? So, we’ve put together some examples of what to do (and what not to do). This is a great guide for those just getting started, but it’s also a great reference for those who have their résumés posted that are not hearing back from employers.

It’s important to note that employers cannot see your online profile / resume unless, (1) you’ve applied for their specific job or (2) you are a Platinum member which comes with a rotating profile on the home page. 

Ok, so let’s start simple…

What Not To Do

Your profile is how employers learn more about you. They like to see a headshot so they can put a face to a name with your information. Most importantly, they like profiles that are detailed with LOTS of information.

The profile below is an example of what not to do. There is no picture, and there is no information. Employers use your profile first, and then they turn to your résumé. It’s also a good idea to update your profile on a regular basis. That way, employers know you’re serious about looking for work. Set a reminder to review and update your profile periodically such as quarterly or every six months.

Make sure to complete your profile! It’s totally okay to set up a test profile like the one below to see how things will look, but don’t forget to go back in and fix it later. This profile has a photo (that we’ve hidden), which is great, but nothing at all for employers to reference!

This next profile is another step in the right direction, but it needs more information. The profile has a photo, which is great, and a description, which is also great. But, this doesn’t speak to specific experience for an employer to reference.

What To Do

You’re probably noticing a trend at this point: provide a photo, write a description, and provide specific employment information. We reached out to some of our past top performing profiles for permission to share. Check them out below!

Hannah checked all three boxes: she has a photo that clearly shows her face, she has a description, and she has detailed information about her work history. Plus, she made it even easier for employers to check out companies she has worked with by providing their URLs

Hannah shares: 

“I got my job with very quickly (within a week) after applying through HireMyMom! I believe the key was really that online resume and me emailing the company to stand out. I also mentioned their website and how much I loved what their business was about in that initial email. I believe anything to stand out like that is good…When I am looking for jobs my go to is ALWAYS HireMyMom.com. I also tell ALL my friends about it because I believe HireMyMom makes it so easy for moms to stand out in the online/remote workforce.” 

Now, we understand that some people do not want to share their photo online, and that’s okay! We suggest providing further information to interest employers so they are blown away by your experience and skills, like Sara’s profile below; Sara also went the extra mile to provide how many years of experience she has for specific skills.

There you have it! A profile does act as a résumé, so you should fill it out accordingly, but it also gives you more space than a typical résumé so you can go into a little more detail.

If you have questions or need help with your own profile, reach out to the team at HireMyMom — we are more than happy to help! We have several opportunities to help you level up!

 

 

 

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