Written by
April 10, 2017 0 Comments

4 Ways to Plan Relaxation

Sometimes we assume that since we work from home, relaxation and time off shouldn’t be a priority, but this couldn’t be further from the truth! Whether we work from home or in an office, it’s important to practice self-care and take time for ourselves.  According to HuffingtonPost.com, ”there are studies to show that stress is comparable to other risk factors that we traditionally think of as major, like hypertension, poor diet and lack of exercise.”  It’s clearly very important to relax from time to time!

While you can always schedule a massage after hours or go on vacation, this type of relaxation is meant to be a few hours out of your day to truly recharge.  Burnout is a real thing, and it’s important to take stock of stress before it takes hold.

Read along for some best tips to ensure that your scheduled relaxation is a priority, and you’re able to reap the maximum benefits of it.

Get it on the schedule

Whether your idea of relaxation is a spa massage, facial, or a few hours out in nature, be sure that it gets on the schedule.  Spontaneous relaxation is always appreciated, but when we don’t schedule something, it’s more than likely that it will get skipped.

Figure out how you want to spend your day (or several hours) of relaxation and pencil it in! This also tells your family that you will be unavailable during that time.

Take time off

Now that your relaxation time is on the schedule, it’s time to take time off from work.  You could schedule your time away for a weekend or after work hours, but there are benefits to taking time off during the workweek as well.

Ensure that your employer(s) is noted about your absence, and work ahead a bit so that work isn’t a stressor.

Take time for fun

Even if you can’t take regular relaxation breaks, fun can also be very invigorating and relaxing! Book a lunch date with a friend, schedule a picnic in the park, or do something non-traditionally “relaxing.”  Getting out of the normal routine and taking a break outside the home can do wonders for stress levels.

Get a plan in place

A plan is a must! If you’re going to take a day or a few hours for yourself, it will be important to ensure that other things are handled. This is especially true if you’re able to take your time during the week!

For kids, pets, and anything else that may come up, create a game plan. Of course, emergencies aren’t always avoidable, but this will ensure that your mind is focused on your time of relaxation when it comes.  Set up a play date, hire a pet sitter, and enjoy your time!

Relaxing is a very key component to health and wellness, and it allows us to be better at home, work, with our friends, and in our communities.

Continue Reading

Written by
March 27, 2017 0 Comments

6 Signs of a Great Website

In this day and age, everyone has an online presence.  Especially if you have a business, you know the importance of a quality website.  It’s a known fact that every business has (or should have) a website, but do you know what makes one better than another?

Although you can spend a lot of time and money on specific designs and fancy templates, it’s really crucial that you have the basics down first.  Read along for some best tips and advice to ensure your website is helping your business.

Make Your Contact Clear

Is it easy to contact you on your website?  You should feature a phone number and/or email address at the top of your page.  A “Contact Us” button is great, but people often want something even more accessible.

Ensure that this information is prominently displayed, easy to read, and accurate.  Think of it this way: if someone was ready to buy or order something from you, you would want to make it very easy for them to contact to order from you or hire you.

Professional Photos

Quality, professional photos are truly key to a solid website.  Especially when it comes to photos of you and/or your team, it’s important to make the investment in good headshots.

Additionally, utilizing professional photos gives readers and potential customers a glimpse at you.  Not only does this humanize your brand, but it allows for a brief connection before any business is done.

Let Them Get to Know You

Just as a professional photo allows us to connect visually, information and content allows this as well.  If you feel up to it, include some personal or fun information on your site.  If nothing else, share some of your story about why you are where you are, as well as the “why” of your business.

This really helps people connect beyond simply purchasing or hiring you, and these days, people want to do business with people they like and trust.  When someone feels like they know you, or can relate or appreciate something personal you said, they’re more likely to give you a call.

Include Calls to Action

It’s great to have a nice site, but if you’re not prompting visitors to do anything, you’re losing any chance to gain their contact information or work with them further.

Can you offer a free download or free one-on-one session for email addresses?  Create a sidebar prompt for this and collect those email addresses.  You could also have an information-gathering form, which typically works best for service-based businesses.  Since the person visiting your site is already likely interested in hiring you, obtaining more information about them and/or their need makes it all the easier to hire you.

Consider the Design

Beautiful design is very important.  Old, outdated websites aren’t pleasing to the eye, and it may show that you’re a bit out of touch.  We buy with our eyes, and if we don’t like what we see, it’s very easy to discard products and services as well.  Web design can be quite an investment, but there are plenty of do-it-yourself sites, or sites that offer design at a discount rate.

Although it’s tempting to try to do-it-yourself, it may create more headaches if it’s not your expertise.  It’s better to go into a web design meeting with an idea of what you want, then shop around a bit for designers who can bring it to life within your budget.

Nothing is more frustrating than a website that’s tough to navigate! This includes broken links, incomplete sentences, sites that won’t load, and so on.  Make sure that each move is intuitive, and that someone without any knowledge of your business can understand it.

Make it Mobile

Everyone is checking websites on their phones these days! If your site isn’t mobile-ready, it becomes a very frustrating experience for readers and potential customers.

There are sites out there that offer to make your website mobile, but more often than not, most templates are mobile-friendly.  This is absolutely something crucial to ask your web designer, as well as ensuring that every important feature functions well on a phone.

It’s not enough to look good on a phone – it must also function perfectly!

These are just a few basic steps to ensure that your website is beautiful and not frustrating to your visitors.  Take the time to get these things down, and then introduce more fun, fancy features that may bring that something extra to your website!

Continue Reading

Written by
March 20, 2017 0 Comments

How to Stand Out in Your Next Interview

When you work from home, or if you’re trying to obtain a home based job, you often still have to go through the interview stage.  Hiring for and online job is much like any other job, and brushing up on your interview skills is still necessary.

Read along for some of our best tips and advice to truly shine in your next work from home interview!

Dress well

Even though your interview will take place via the phone, Skype, FaceTime, or some other conferencing device, it’s still important to dress well.  When you dress up, you often present your best self, and it’s a great way to improve posture, confidence, and positive feelings about yourself.

Even if your interview is done by phone, it’s still encouraged to dress in regular clothes.  You don’t have to go all out and get super fancy, but a nice, normal outfit can really make you feel more on top of your game and ready to go.

Prepare

Being prepared is a key component to any interview – in person or online.  It’s crucial to research the company or employer, know your resume, and look into the materials that you previously sent over.  With the internet, there’s no excuse to not spend some time learning about your potential company and/or employer(s).

Research and review common interview questions, practice with a friend or family member, and generally know all you can about the company and job position.  Additionally, ensure that you know what you said in your cover letter, just in case specific points come up.  This will ensure that you’re ready to discuss these items freely, and won’t have to hesitate or spend time searching your materials. Show your preparation with data and statistics if that’s relevant, and be sure to show why you would be best employee for your potential employer, not just the other way around.

Know your strengths

While you’re reviewing your resume and cover letter, make a list of your key strengths and how they apply for this specific job position.  This will likely be a question that you’re asked, and it’s also good to go into an interview knowing why you’re the best fit.  Take some time to reflect on the positive aspects of your personality, past job experience, and specific skills that would help you to shine in this new position.

Know your why

Why do you want this job and why do you want to work here?  This is key and will come across in the tone of your voice and of course, if you have to answer these questions. Be honest about why you want this job, as well as why you’re the best fit. Show the interviewer that you’re passionate about obtaining this job, and present your attitude as such.

Being successful in an interview is all about preparation, attitude, and confidence.  Prepare with the above tips and you will be ready to secure your next work from home job position!

Continue Reading

Written by
March 13, 2017 0 Comments

5 Ways to Refresh During Winter

While we’re still in the middle of winter, we can definitely see the light of spring! Although many places have had a very mild winter, it’s still a more cozy and chilly time of year.  Additionally, people tend to suffer from bad moods and darker days during this season. We often talk about spring cleaning, but how can we refresh ourselves in the winter?

We’ve compiled some tips and ideas to press on throughout the rest of this winter season.

Schedule some relaxation

If you’re able to free up the time, schedule some time for yourself.  Whether you enjoy a nice spa day, massage, or a new yoga class, select something that promotes relaxation.

This is the time of year of sickness and feeling a bit rundown, so it’s imperative to keep yourself relaxed and pampered.

Find something fun

Look into a new office supply or something fun to look at in your office.  This is small, but adding a new touch, paint color, or item to your workspace (or home!) can really brighten up your mood.

Another option is to re-evaluate your furniture situation and look into something that will make you more comfortable.  Finding something new and exciting can also be about function, and it’s important that you stay healthy and happy at your workstation.

Refresh how you’re working

Take a look at how you’re currently working – your schedule, to do lists, family scheduling, and so on.  Do some research here and look at some different options if you’re feeling a bit stuck.  You may find that another option is more productive than what you’re currently doing.

Prioritize health

‘Tis the season for illness! Even though we’re moving into spring, there’s still a lot of cold and flu going around. Do your best to boost immunity and increase your family’s health as we move into these final weeks of winter.  Whether you prefer supplements, exercise, eating healthy, or lots of fluids, amp up the efforts to stay healthy.

Schedule something fun

In addition to relaxation, scheduling something fun can keep your spirits high this time of year.

Even if you can’t always get away on a caribbean vacation, you can plan a smaller trip or weekend outing with your family.  You can also look into setting up a few weeks of play dates and lunches with friends, or scheduling a dinner party for an upcoming weekend.

Spring is coming very soon, and it’s best that we enjoy and utilize these final weeks of winter.  Soon, we’ll be enjoying time outside and will get busier with schedules.  Use this time of year to refresh your mind, body, spirit, and work life and you’ll be ready to tackle the next season!

Continue Reading

Written by
March 6, 2017 0 Comments

10 Reasons Why Working from Home is the Best

If you’re a work from home mom or client of HireMyMom.com, you already know the many benefits of working from home.  Yes, there’s flexibility and comfort, but did you know that being a home based employee significantly reduces stress?

Read along for our top 10 reasons why working from home is the best!

You can be there

Do your kids have events or sports during the day?  Even if they have games or lessons in the early evenings, this can be tough for a parent with a traditional office job.  It’s tough to bow out early or make the trek at 3:00pm, which typically isn’t the case when you work from home.  As long as your work is getting done, it’s more than acceptable (and feasible!) to be there for those important events and milestones.

In most cases with home based work, you can work when it best fits your schedule.  Of course there are exceptions to this, but working from home often goes with the opinion that you can work when you want, as long as the work is being done.

You can be flexible

The best part of working from home is likely the flexibility it affords.  In the aforementioned reason was kids’ events and sporting competitions, but it goes much further than that.  Do you feel like taking a nap for an hour and working tonight when you’re more on your game?  You can do that!  Are your kids sick?  You have the ability to pick them up without losing a day of work or pay.  Another bonus?  Many, many less sick days for you either!

If you have your own side business or work other freelance jobs, you also have the flexibility to work on those throughout the workday.  This is much tougher at an office, as you’d have a boss over your shoulder questioning what you were doing!

You can schedule

Need to meet a friend or business colleague for a meeting?  You can do this much more easily when you work from home! If your meeting goes long, it’s typically not an issue since you’re just headed back home anyway.  When you work in an office, there are often unspoken rule about returning to work at an acceptable interval.

As a home based employee, your schedule is truly your own, and if you’re still being efficient, you can make appointments, meetings, and schedules that fit what is best for you.  Best of all, you have more time! Since you aren’t commuting to and from an office, you gain more time in your day for what truly matters.

You save money

Commuting, parking, going out for lunch – it all adds up! These fees are mostly eliminated when you work from home.  If you work in an office, add up your gas costs, parking fees, and dining out for lunch receipts for a few weeks.  Working from home allows you to save that money and use it for something else.

You can be comfortable

No need for fancy suits and clothes! While it can help productivity to put on nicer clothing, you have the option to be comfortable.

You can be healthier

When working from home, taking breaks is easier.  Stretching isn’t so “strange” as it might be in a workplace.  You can also workout any time of the day, as well as eat healthier and prepare your own food easily.

You can choose your environment

Do you want a bright office or a more zen experience?  You get the choice of your home office! In a traditional office, it’s typically fluorescent lighting and bland paint colors.  If this doesn’t suit you, get creative in making an innovative space that works best for you.

You can reduce stress

According to Fonality.com, telecommuters have their stress reduced by 25%.  Stress can be eliminated by lack of commute, more flexibility, and the ability to take more frequent breaks.  Additionally, commuting is notoriously stressful.  When you work from home, your commute is from your bedroom to your home office!  It’s a nice, stress-free way to begin your workday.

You get variety

Typically work from home jobs are freelance or part-time positions, allowing you to expand your knowledge and skillset.  You can also always take on other smaller jobs here and there to earn extra money and fill time.

You’ll be more productive

A recent study by Harvard University indicated that when a group of workers switched from office to home work, their performance was boosted by 13%.  Additionally, Globalworkplaceanalytics.com shows that teleworkers are 20-25% more productive than their office counterparts.

Whether it’s the elimination of office distractions or an ability to work at a better pace, working from home shows that productivity is a winner in this space!

Working from home truly provides you with the flexibility and comfort that makes life just a bit easier.  It’s a great way of working that can give you more time – and less stress – with your friends and family!

Continue Reading

Written by
February 27, 2017 0 Comments

4 Top Tips to Generate Blog Content

If you own a business, brand, or you’re simply knowledgeable in a particular field, you know that blogging is a crucial component to your website.  Blogging is so important for SEO, and helps you to be seen as the expert in your field.  It establishes a type of trust with your readers, which can also translate into increased sales and business relationships.

Blog posts can help you give industry advice, as well as giving your readers a look into your industry and business.  Although we know it’s important, it can be challenging to come up with blog topics on a consistent basis.  Read along for some top tips to ensure that you’re generating quality, consistent blog content for your site.

Answer the questions

As someone with experience in any type of field or industry, you likely receive questions about it on a frequent basis.  Additionally, you might have a FAQ section of your website.  You can take these questions and expand on them, or answer them in a different format.

If you’re struggling to get started with this, ask a friend or family member to ask you a few questions about your business or industry that they would want to know.  You can also consult your social media pages and see if there are questions tha tyou’re repeatedly asked.  Show the value of your business or industry while giving your readers some knowledge in the process.

Draft the top

Top 10 (or any other number!) lists are great, and everyone loves to receive tips in easily-digestible bites.  This content is best created in brief paragraphs or bulleted points, as people tend to skim these lists.

Don’t let this deter you! You can pack a lot of fun, valuable information in a number of tips, and this type of post is much more likely to be read – and even shared.  You can do top reasons to hire someone in your industry as well, which is always a helpful post for those looking to hire someone like you.

Share a story

Everyone loves personal stories, as well as getting to know the person they’re considering doing business with.  Keep the story relevant, or make a definitive point, so that it stays in context with your message.

Personal stories are a great, once-in-a-while type of blog post that can assist you in building relationships and trust with your audience.

Set up an interview

Interviews are fun – for the interviewee and your readers! Ask someone to interview you, as a “get to know the boss/author/owner” type of post, or you do the interviewing!  Get in touch with past clients, happy customers, or someone who has used your product or service.  This is a great method of advertising too, as your client’s’ opinions of your business are more valuable and unbiased.

You can ask them questions about their background, their experience with you, as well as a few fun questions to get to know them.

In the same vein as interviews, you can always conduct behind-the-scenes looks into your office, your workflow, business processes, and so on.  Readers truly enjoy getting to know a company on a personal level, and this is great way to create content while sharing yourself with your audience.

Continue Reading

Written by
February 20, 2017 0 Comments

6 Tips for a Stand Out Job Application

We all know what’s needed to apply to a job – a strong cover letter, resume, and great references.  Unfortunately, this isn’t enough to secure an interview or the job!  Those hiring today are truly looking for quality applicants, and that doesn’t just include your experience.

Quality applicants take the time to truly invest themselves in the hiring process, and in turn, receive much more response from these applications.  Check out our top tips for a job application that stands out!

Read the description

First and foremost, take the time to really learn about the position for which you are applying.  When you really want a job, it’s best to focus on those positions that excite you while playing to your professional strengths.

To stand out on your application, include words and skills that you have that match the job description.  This presents your qualifications in the best light, while showing that you paid attention and took the time to apply specifically for that position.

Learn about the company

If you want to be a stellar applicant, you must take some time to learn about the company.  Read their website, visit social media profiles, read press releases, news articles, and so on.  It’s also helpful to read about the industry, especially if there isn’t too much information available from a specific company.

This helps you to prepare for the interview, but it also allows you to be more connected to the application process.  This exercise might also help you realize, one way or another, if you’re the best fit for this particular company.  In speaking with a hiring manager, you may have to answer questions that include a bit about the company and why it’s a fit, so take the time in the beginning to really get to know them.

It’s also helpful to ask yourself, “How can I best contribute?”  Learning about the company will also show you where they shine and where they struggle, allowing you an opening to show where you would best fit in.

Be precise

Make sure your grammar and and spelling is impeccable! Your application should truly have zero mistakes and put your best foot forward.

To avoid any errors, run all spell check and grammatical checks in your word processing program, but also send your resume to friend and/or family members who may be willing to help.  Having a few extra sets of eyes look over your work can truly be the difference between a stellar and mediocre application.

Be prepared

When you decide to embark on your job search, gather all of your information into one place.  In addition, create a checklist that ensures that you have everything you need to be successful.  Create or edit your resume, draft a brief (but bulleted) cover letter, contact your references, and be specific to the position in all of this.  With all of these materials ready to go, you’ll be set to go when the right position presents itself.

It’s much easier to set aside time before your job search, and it avoids procrastination in applying, as well as forgetting anything when you come across an ideal opportunity.

Be specific

Create each cover letter and resume for each job position.  You shouldn’t have to change your resume too much, but you can still spend some time focusing on specific sought-after skills and experience to highlight.   Focus on the best attributes for this particular position, not simply which results or experienced that you liked best.

Also, ensure that your cover letter is specific to the job position.  Hiring managers and employers don’t want to feel like you aren’t a good fit, nor do they want to feel like you’ve just sent your information in a mass spree to dozens of other jobs.  Show that you took the time to highlight what they’re seeking, and your response should be much greater!

Put in your best effort

The ultimate hiring decision is up to the company or hiring manager, but you can send the time to put forth your best self.  It’s very apparent when an applicant takes the time to do their best, which will reflect in you receiving more calls and interviews.

It can seem daunting to create separate documents and edits for each position, but that’s why you should truly pick positions for which you’re qualified for and very interested in.  Invest the time and care in those applications that will be a great fit for you, and you’ll find that you might be the ideal match for your future employer!

Continue Reading

Written by
February 13, 2017 0 Comments

4 Ways to Save Time During the Week

ella-jardim-696770-unsplash

Between being a working mom and juggling home, family, and other obligations, weekdays can be a mad rush of timing and scheduling issues.  It’s important to keep the peace as much as possible, but that’s tricky when there’s so much going on Monday thru Friday.  Read along for some best practices in saving time during the bustling workweek!

Get into a groove

Schedule and routines are helpful for everyone involved.  Start by setting a general weekday schedule that’s appropriate for the whole family.  Write out a list or calendar that features everything that needs to be done in a typical week.  From here, create your schedule for what needs done, who needs to be where, and where free time is located.

When you have a schedule that is fairly the same week-to-week, it’s much easier to handle spontaneous changes, as well as find the time that you can be more productive or spend with friends and family.  When you don’t know where your time is going, it can feel chaotic and things can begin to get missed.

Plan meals

Weekdays are characterized by work and a lot of running around, so cooking can be a time-consuming process.  To eliminate some of the time spent prepping and shopping during the week, ensure that this is done on the weekends, or a specifically designated day.

If you have several free hours on Wednesdays, maybe that’s your time to shop and food prep.  Find out what’s best for you and your schedule.  Take a Saturday or Sunday afternoon to plan your meals for the week.  Utilize Pinterest and other cooking sites to find recipes or ideas, then build your shopping list and get everything done in one trip.  It’s also helpful to spend a few hours prepping the food, or at least the items that can be done ahead of time. This eliminates a lot of day-to-day thinking about meal prep, and can also save money!

Set it all up

Plan your weekends! Although weekends are typically used for family, friends, and spontaneous adventure, they can also help you a lot during the workweek.  Spend an hour or so on the weekends to set up for the week ahead.

Create your to-do lists, schedules, meal plans, and anything else that is part of the forecast for the upcoming week.  This is a great mental exercise as well, as it keeps things much more calm and organized.

Know what you need

Sometimes saving time involves others that are available to help you.  Set up a carpool for your kids, which will give you more time to work or run errands during the week.  There are also meal exchanges, play dates, and other family set ups that give your family a break during the week.  It can be helpful to look into some of these options, especially on your busiest days.  Babysitters and caretakers are also incredibly useful to free up your time during the week.  Although it’s an investment, typically your time will be worth it to ensure that you’re able to get done what needs to be done during that time.

Continue Reading

Written by
February 6, 2017 0 Comments

HireMyMom Success Story: Katty Flores

What’s your success story with HireMyMom.com?

I tried HireMyMom for the first time this year. It took a little less than a month to find my first job! I applied to several positions, I’d say 12 different postings, being careful to not only apply through the HireyMyMom site but also to email these employers/businesses directly. I had 3 interviews, the last being the one that made me an offer. I was elated to finally have the chance to work from home while still being a mom and wife, first!

What is your top tip for landing a gig on HireMyMom.com?

1) Make sure your resume is clean, short and sweet. I know that we want to draw attention to ALL of our experiences, however, I read that you should keep your resume to one page.

2) Some employers will have links to their applications. Treat these like you would any other important, paper application. Fill them out completely and thoroughly. Even if you uploaded your resume, make sure you fill in job by job. Otherwise, it resembles laziness.

3) Use complete sentences and proper grammar when typing up explanations.

4) Email the employer with a quick greeting and inform them you’ve just applied to their position (if applicable) and briefly introduce yourself.

5) After 3 days or so, send another follow up email regarding your application. The idea is that if your goal is to get a job, your actions should demonstrate it.

What’s your favorite thing about HireMyMom.com?

My favorite thing about HireMyMom is that the business or individual posting their job on the site is well aware the applicants are family centered first. They are knowingly giving moms the opportunity to feel worthy of their intelligence and skills, while allowing them to be sensitive toward their family.

What’s one fun fact about you?

A fun fact about me is that humor is my most used ingredient when brewing perspective for life’s expected and unexpected challenges.

.

Continue Reading

Written by
January 30, 2017 0 Comments

3 Ways to Maintain Your Schedule

As a work from home employee, your schedule is bound to be your biggest asset.  It can be easy to veer off track with all the distractions not present in a traditional workplace.  If you can stick to a schedule, you’ll be more productive, efficient, and able to stay focused on tasks.

We’ve compiled some best tips and practices to ensure that scheduling comes easy in your home based career!

Use a scheduling tool

Scheduling tools are extremely useful and eliminate a lot of the back and forth required to schedule a call or interview.  These tools work by keeping track of your calendar and noting when you’re free.  This way, scheduling a call is as easy as sending over a link, having the other person select a time that works for them, then following through with the meeting.

This also works to keep you on schedule because it forces you to track everything, and also keeps you from losing a lot of time in setting up these appointments.  Some tools that work for this include Calendly, Doodle, and Pick.

Track your time

To stay on schedule and keep moving through your to do list, tracking your time is a must!  Whether you use an Internet based calendar or a basic to do list, this is a crucial practice to begin and enforce daily.

Use some type of to do list with all of your items, including personal items.  This is helpful as a home based employee since some of your time might be used to be with family, friends, and completing any necessary errands and housework.  Of course this isn’t the case for all work from home employees, but it’s part of the benefits of a flexible job.

When you’re able to make time for everything in your schedule, in writing, you’re more likely to do it and more likely to keep pressing forward to get to everything on your list.  Even though these are incredibly helpful, do note that it’s important to make your lists as realistic as possible to prioritize and get what needs to be done.

Limit interruptions

Kids, pets, calls and people at the house – all things that can bring work to a screeching halt.  If you know you’re going into a very important call or interview, set up childcare (or pet care!) ahead of time.  You can also leave notes on your door for mail carriers to simply leave packages, as well as limiting calls to certain times of the day.

Keeping yourself on schedule is all about managing your time and using tools to keep that time flowing productively.  Do your best to schedule your days, manage distractions, and work towards as much efficiency as possible!

Continue Reading